Entertainment David Prowse, the original Darth Vader, dies aged 85

British actor David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85, his management company announced Sunday.

Prowse died after a short illness, according to his agent Thomas Bowington. CNN reported in 2018 that Prowse was being treated for prostate cancer.

"It's with great regret and heart-wrenching sadness for us and million 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 said on Twitter Sunday.

"May the force be with him, always!" his former agent, Thomas Bowington, said in a statement to the BBC.

He was Darth Vader: "Star Wars" icon David Prowse is dead

Known as Darth Vader from the first three "Star Wars" films by George Lucas, David Prowse captured the hearts of "Star Wars" fans in all over the world. Now the actor has passed away at the age of 85. © Disney / LucasFilm He was Darth Vader: "Star Wars" icon David Prowse is dead After pursuing a career as a bodybuilder and weightlifter, David Prowse ended up in front of the camera - and was in as Darth Vader George Lucas "Star Wars" films world famous.

Dave Prowse , the actor who played the iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader has died , his agent announced on Sunday.

David Prowse , the champion English weightlifter and bodybuilder who supplied his 6-foot-7 frame — but not the voice or the deep breathing — to portray Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, died early in the morning on Saturday. He was 85 .

"Though famous for playing many monsters — for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives."

Prowse wore the black suit and helmet to play Darth Vader, but it was the actor James Earl Jones who provided the character's voice. Prowse's West Country English accent was thought to be unsuitable for the part.

© Getty Actor David Prowse attends the

But it was his role as the "Green Cross Code Man" from a British road safety campaign that Prowse said he was most proud of. He was awarded an MBE — a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire — in 2000 for that role.

© Getty English actor David Prowse as the dGreen Cross Man for a road safety campaign aimed at children promoting 'The Green Cross Code'.

Prowse was born into a working class family and grew up in a council estate in Southmead, in southwestern England. He gained a scholarship to attend Bristol Grammar School.

British actor Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader, died at the age of 85

© THIERRY ZOCCOLAN / AFP Dave Prowse, British actor who played the character of Darth Vader in the first Star Wars trilogy , died Saturday at the age of 85, according to his agent, Thomas Bowington. British actor Dave Prowse, who played the character of Darth Vader in the first Star Wars trilogy, died Saturday morning at the age of 85, his agent Thomas Bowington announced on Sunday.

Actor David Prowse , the man who donned the iconic Darth Vader suit in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85 . "It's with great regret and The Bristolian originally recorded Vader 's voice, but was replaced by Jones because of Prowse 's west country accent. "We called him Darth Farmer

Actor David Prowse , best known for his role as Darth Vader from the Star Wars trilogy, has died at age 85 .

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He had a passion for bodybuilding and was crowned British Weightlifting Champion several times in the 1960s. He became lifelong friends with actors Arnold Schwarzenegger in his weightlifting years, according to website IMDb.

His broad physique and towering figure helped land him roles as monsters and villains in TV shows and films. He played the monster in The Horror of Frankenstein in 1970 and a bearded torturer in Carry on Henry in 1971. That same year he made an appearance as a bodyguard in Stanley Kubrick's dystopian film A Clockwork Orange in 1971.

He went on to play Darth Vader in all three of the original Star Wars films, in 1977, 1980 and 1983.

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Health and fitness remained an interest for Prowse, who also worked as a personal trainer for actors playing the role of Superman, including Christopher Reeve, and wrote a book called Fitness is Fun.

He published an autobiography, Straight from the Force's Mouth, in 2011.

– Reported with CNN