Darth Vader actor David Prowse died on Saturday, November 28, 2020 following a short illness. He was 85 years old.

Prowse was one half of the duo that brought Darth Vader to life in the original Star Wars trilogy. The 6’7” powerhouse portrayed the menacing villain in the costume with James Earl Jones providing the voice. His imposing physicality and commanding presence coupled with Jones’ resonant deep voice made Darth Vader a film legend considered among the best villains in cinema.

Born on July 1, 1935 in Bristol, England, Prowse would be a champion weightlifter and bodybuilder prior to his acting career. In 1960, he competed for the Mr. Universe bodybuilding title, then won the British heavyweight weightlifting championship each year from ’62 to ’64. At the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in ’62 he represented England for the weightlifting event. Later, he used his knowledge to help Christopher Reeve gain muscle mass for the Superman movies.

In the UK, Prowse portrayed the Green Cross Code Man, a character used in public service ads to help children cross streets safely. He held this position from 1967 to 1990 and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his work.

Prowse’s first acting gig was in an episode of The Edge of Night in ’56, then he gained notice for his second role, playing Frankenstein’s Monster in the Casino Royale 1967 spoof. He would go on to play the Monster two more times for Hammer Films in The Horror of Frankenstein and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell – the last of which also featured his Star Wars costar, Peter Cushing.

Some of his other early roles were in The Beverly Hillbillies, The Saint, and Doctor Who as a Minotaur. After Prowse appeared in A Clockwork Orange as Frank Alexander’s muscular servant, George Lucas reached out to him about Star Wars. Lucas gave Prowse the option of playing Chewbacca or Darth Vader, and Prowse chose the villain role.

After enthralling viewers as Vader in the sci-fi epic, Prowse returned for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. His credits also include The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy TV movie, The Benny Hill Show, The Kindness of Strangers, and his final onscreen role was in Mission Backup Earth.

For the later part of his career, he did publicity work for Welsh singer Jayce Lewis. In 2015 he was the subject of the documentary I Am Your Father and a script about his life was written, titled Strongman, but was never produced. He was also a regular on the convention circuit, greeting awestruck fans with a smile and stories of filming Star Wars.

Prowse and his wife Norma Scammell were married since ’63 and had three children.

Upon his passing, many celebrities shared remembrances on social media, including several members of the Star Wars family.

Mark Hamill tweeted, “So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man and much more than Darth Vader. Actor-husband-father-member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British weightlifting champion and safety icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP.”

C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels tweeted, “More sad news. Dave has gone. I don’t think 3PO ever faced Vader’s mighty presence on set, other than as a bag of bits on Chewie’s shoulders in the carbon freezer. But Dave’s iconic figure dominated the finished film in ’77 and has done so ever since. And will continue to do so.”

“Sad to hear of the passing of a #StarWars family member,” actor Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in the prequel trilogy, tweeted. “RIP Dave Prowse. Darth Vader wouldn’t be the same without you in the costume. We had many fun times and laughs at cons together over the years. Glad to have been able to call you a friend. Rest now and be one with the Force!”

“RIP David Prowse. That stature contributed so much to Darth Vader’s legend,” Carl Weathers, The Mandalorian’s Greef Karga, said.

True Blood actor Joe Manganiello tweeted, “David Prowse as Darth Vader was brilliant. He was so unbelievably magical in that suit. I’ve watched Empire so many times with the sound off just to watch how he moved. His physical choices were as iconic as James’ voice to me and aside from all of that he was such a nice man. RIP.”

“#DaveProwse has passed away. #fanfamily We knew him best as #DarthVader Dave got me into shape/trained me for my Role in Matador,” Torchwood star John Barrowman tweeted. “He was a genuine, kind, loving man, loved life, family, fitness and his fans. Dave was a huge part of our #confamily his smile will be missed. Jb.”