ACTOR · BORN 1935 · DIED 2020
David Prowse
- Born
- 1 July 1935
- Died
- 29 November 2020
42 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
15 Interesting Facts About David Prowse
- #003
Because he kept breaking the poles used in the lightsaber scenes of the first 'Star Wars' film, Prowse was prevented from taking part in the duels in the next two films. The task was handed to swordsman Bob Anderson, who also prepared the choreography; Anderson wore platform shoes to make up for the height difference and was generally shot from low angles. The acrobatic movements in Vader's lightsaber scenes were therefore Anderson's performance, not Prowse's.
- #010
George Lucas chose Prowse to wear the Darth Vader costume in 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' because of his height. However, Prowse's pronounced English accent led Lucas to prefer James Earl Jones for Vader's voice. This decision meant the character was shaped both visually and aurally by the talents of two different actors.
- #011
Prowse's Darth Vader performance in the original 'Star Wars' trilogy placed 84th on Premiere Magazine's '100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time' list. The ranking indicates how greatly his physical presence and bearing contributed to the character becoming iconic. Vader's imposing presence on screen rested largely on Prowse's body language.
- #012
Among the directors he worked with on the original 'Star Wars' trilogy, Prowse said he liked Irvin Kershner, who directed 'The Empire Strikes Back', the most. In an interview, he said he found Kershner extremely helpful and supportive towards the actors. The praise shows how positive an effect Kershner's democratic and collaborative approach on set had on the cast.
- #014
At the peak of his physical condition, Prowse stood 6 feet 6 inches (about 1.98 metres) tall. His extraordinary height was a decisive factor both in his bodybuilding career and in his playing gigantic characters on screen. This height advantage played a critical role especially in creating an imposing figure such as Darth Vader.
- #015
Prowse was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early 2009. In February 2010, however, he announced publicly that he had fully recovered after intensive radiotherapy treatment at a hospital in London. His fans followed the health struggle with great concern, and news of his recovery was met with joy.
- #016
Prowse attended the first Central American Star Wars Convention, held in Guatemala City on 27-28 July 2002. At the event, he and Jeremy Bulloch, who portrayed Boba Fett, talked with fans about his role as Darth Vader in the original trilogy. Such conventions were important platforms where Prowse interacted directly with fans and shared behind-the-scenes stories of the character.
- #018
Prowse holds the distinction of being the only actor to portray Frankenstein's Monster in two different Hammer Film Productions releases: 'The Horror of Frankenstein' (1970) and 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell' (1974). The two films reinforced his presence in horror cinema and, by taking on this physically demanding role twice, made him an important part of the genre.
- #019
In 'A Clockwork Orange' (1971), Prowse played part of the wheelchair-bound assistant to the character portrayed by Patrick Magee. He was given the role thanks to his ability to lift and carry Magee. Prowse recounted that director Stanley Kubrick did not have a 'one-take' approach and that he had to repeat the scene many times. During filming, when a recording technician noticed a strange sound, it turned out to come from the microphone on Prowse picking up his heartbeat.
- #020
Prowse appeared as a strongman in the famous 'Wishing Well' sketch that opened the first season of 'The Benny Hill Show'. The sketch was used by the programme's American syndication to promote it to television stations in the United States. This early television experience of Prowse's also showed his presence in comedy and variety programmes.
- #023
Prowse played the Green Cross Code Man, the face of the road safety campaign launched by the UK government to teach children how to cross the road safely. The character reached millions of children through television commercials in the 1970s and 1980s and gave Prowse a lasting impact on society. The role became one of his best-known characters after Darth Vader.
- #029
Before retiring from public appearances at the age of 83, Prowse attended Star Wars, science fiction and autograph conventions, sitting and signing items for fans for eight hours without stopping. His claim that he took no toilet or meal breaks during that time showed his dedication to his fans and his endurance. This devoted attitude made him one of the legendary names of the convention circuit.
- #032
On 3 October 2004, Prowse attended as a special guest the first science fiction convention in the northwest of England, held at Lancaster and Morecambe College. The event was an important meeting point for science fiction fans in the region, and Prowse's participation raised the convention's prestige. His support for such local events strengthened his bond with his fans.
- #033
Prowse attended the Collectormania 7 event held in Milton Keynes, England. The event was an important collectors' fair where actors met fans and gave autographs. Prowse's participation in such organisations showed that he continued his presence in popular culture events.
- #040
Prowse was the only actor still alive at that time who played the same character in all three films of the original 'Star Wars' trilogy. However, he did not repeat the role in either the prequel trilogy (1999-2005) or the sequel trilogy (2015-2019). This made his identification with Vader all the more special and ensured the character's consistency across the trilogy.
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