SAN FRANCISCO, November 30, (THEWILL) – British actor, David Prowse, who put on the iconic Darth Vader suit in the original Star Wars trilogy, is dead at the age of 85.
“It’s with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and millions of fans around the world, to announce that our client DAVE PROWSE M.B.E. has passed away at the age of 85,” Bowington Management tweeted.
According to a Facebook post by his agent, Thomas Bowington, the bodybuilder turned actor died after a short illness.
THEWILL reports that Prowse started acting in the 1967 James Bond spoof, Casino Royale and his role in the film gave him several other screen roles.
Fellow Star Wars stars have since paid their tributes to the late actor.
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker,wrote: “So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader.
Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP.”
Also, the Mandalorian actor Carl Weathers tweeted: “RIP David Prowse. That stature contributed so much to Darth Vader’s legend. #BePeace.”
