David Prowse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Prowse
David Prowse in 2013
Born	(1935-07-01)1 July 1935 Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Died	28 November 2020(2020-11-28) (aged 85)
Alma mater	Bristol Grammar School
Years active	1956–2010
Spouse(s)	Norma Prowse ​ (m. 1963)​

David Charles Prowse (1 July 1935 – 28 November 2020) was an English bodybuilder, weightlifter and character actor in British film and television. Worldwide, he was best known for physically portraying Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy (with the character's voice being performed by James Earl Jones); in 2015, he starred in a documentary concerning that role, entitled I Am Your Father. Prior to his role as Vader, Prowse became famous in the UK as the first Green Cross Code man - a character used in road safety public information aimed at children.

He was married to Norma Prowse from 1963 until his death.

Prowse died on 28 November 2020, aged 85.

Early life

Prowse was brought up on the Southmead housing estate in Bristol, gaining a scholarship to Bristol Grammar School. Prowse was tall, standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), and developed an interest in bodybuilding. His early jobs included a bouncer at a dance hall, where he met his future wife, and a helper at Henleaze Swimming Pool. Following his successes from 1961 in the British heavyweight weightlifting championship, he left Bristol in 1963 to work for a London weightlifting company.

Darth Vader

Prowse in 2013

Prowse is most famous for playing the role of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, although Vader's voice was dubbed by James Earl Jones. Prowse claimed that he had prepared his lines to a professional standard and did not realize until the premiere that his voice would never be heard in the film series. This annoyed him greatly, but he found ways to treat his situation with humour. In later productions, he delivered joke versions of his lines during filming. George Lucas claimed that he never intended to use Prowse's voice in the trilogy.

During the making of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, the major plot twist was a closely guarded secret. It was never printed in the script, and it was only revealed to Mark Hamill moments before the specific scene was filmed. However, as David Prowse's lines would be dubbed over anyway, it was apparently decided not to inform him of the dialogue. Once again, Prowse reportedly discovered this major element of his character upon viewing the film's premiere.

Prowse is said to have lobbied to be included in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, reprising his role as the fully-armoured Darth Vader, but his requests fell on deaf ears. There is anecdotal evidence from statements made by Hayden Christensen that he (Christensen) had to convince Lucas to use him instead of an anonymous actor. Perhaps partly in response to this, Prowse has developed the habit of signing his autographs "David Prowse IS Darth Vader."

Prowse continued to associate himself with his role in the Star Wars films. Despite this, he has not been included in recent reunions of the original cast.

Other roles

Within the United Kingdom, Prowse was also well-known as the Green Cross Code Man, as a result of his association with the Green Cross Code road safety campaign for children which ran between 1976 and 1990.

He had a role as a bodyguard in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange. He played the Minotaur in the 1972 Doctor Who serial The Time Monster, and had a small role as Hotblack Desiato's bodyguard in the 1981 BBC TV adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He also appeared in the first series of "The Tomorrow People".

Prowse played Frankenstein's Monster twice. First he appeared in The Horror of Frankenstein in a more or less recognizable form. In Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell, he was heavily made up.

Other activities

Prowse represented England in the weightlifting event at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia.

Prowse was married to Norma Prowse from 1963 they had three children.

He helped train Christopher Reeve for the role of Superman. He was also a notable graduate of Bristol Grammar School. He was the official leader of the 501st Legion, a fan group dedicated to Star Wars costuming.

In 1999, thieves broke into Prowse's home and stole the lightsaber prop he used in the Star Wars trilogy and several of his other possessions.

Honours and awards

Prowse was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to charity and road safety at the New Year Honours in 2000.

Filmography

Images for kids

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  Prowse in 2007

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  Prowse and Jayce Lewis, photographed in 2015

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  David Prowse and Jayce Lewis with Darth Vader helmet

See also

In Spanish: David Prowse para niños