Dave Prowse, actor who played Darth Vader, dies at 85

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Dave Prowse, the British weightlifter-turned-actor who was the body, though not the voice of arch-villain Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy has died. Director George Lucas saw Prowse in a small part in “A Clockwork Orange” and asked the 6-foot-6-inch actor to audition for the villainous Vader or the Wookie Chewbacca in “Star Wars.” Prowse later told the BBC he chose Darth Vader because “you always remember the bad guys.” Physically, Prowse was perfect for the part. Prowse donned Darth Vader's black armor and helmet for “Star Wars”, “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi". “Fortune tends to follow fame.” Prowse also worked as a trainer for other actors, helping Christopher Reeve prepare to be the Man of Steel in hit 1978 film “Superman.” Prowse was also known to a generation of British children as the Green Cross Code Man, a superhero in a series of road safety He was a regular at “Star Wars” fan events, but was banned from official conventions by Lucas in 2010 after the pair fell out.