Entertainment Dave Prowse dead as Darth Vader actor passes away aged 85 after short illness

The legendary actor behind the Darth Vader mask in the original Star Wars trilogy has sadly died after a short illness, his agent has confirmed.

English star Dave Prowse was aged 85 when he passed away.

The actor portrayed Luke Skywalker's intimidating arch-enemy in the original trilogy - along with US actor James Earl Jones who provided Vader's voice.

© Getty David Prowse as Darth Vader in a scene from Star Wars in 1977.

The Bristolian was reportedly nicknamed 'Darth Farmer' by his late Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher, because of his strong West Country accent.

He landed the role due to his imposing physique and his history as a weightlifter.

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

Dave Prowse 's career spanned 50 years, but it was his role as Darth Vader in Star Wars that brought him global fame. Dave Prowse , the former bodybuilder best known for playing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85 .

His agent Thomas Bowington confirmed the sad news about his passing in a statement this morning.

"May the force be with him, always!" he wrote.

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

He described the much loved actor's passing as "a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world".

Prowse was a familiar face on UK television for decades, with roles in Doctor Who in 1972, The Two Ronnies, The Kenneth Williams Show and The Morecambe & Wise Show.

© SWNS David posing in his Darth Vader costume.

In recent years he also starred in series Mission Backup Earth and Southern Troopers.

While one role that the British actor was most proud of, was playing the Green Cross Code Man – helping educate millions in the UK how to safely cross the street.

Darth Vader actor and Green Cross Code Man David Prowse dies

Actor David Prowse, the man who donned the iconic Darth Vader suit in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died aged 85. © Getty English actor David Prowse (L) donned the Darth Vader suit in the original Star Wars trilogy "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 tweeted. © Rex Features Prowse in 1980 as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back He died after a short illness, his agent Thomas Bowington said in a Facebook post.

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David Prowse , the towering actor who terrified generations of movie-watchers as playing Darth Vader in the three original 'Star Wars' trilogy, has died aged 85 . He died after a short illness , his agent Thomas Bowington confirmed to NBC News Sunday morning. "A constant source of inspiration

The star described the role as the "best job I ever had" – and he was awarded an MBE for his work in promoting road safety in 2000.

Before his own success in the film industry, Prowse was welcomed into Hollywood circles after training the late Christopher Reeve for his role as Superman.

© SWNS Dave on the set of Star Wars with Alec Gunness.

Prowse acted as the personal trainer for the spandex wearing star - who passed away in 2004.

In October 1963, Prowse tied-the-knot with Norma E. Scammell – who remained his wife until his death.

The couple had three children together.

Tributes to the actor have flooded social media with many sharing stories about their encounters with the star.

Mark Walters, who runs film news website Big Fan Boy tweeted: "I worked with Dave many times, even hung out with him outside of cons. He was always an impressive presence, great stories, there was something so majestic about him. Rest In Peace, good sir."

Film director Edgar Wright paid tribute to Prowse, describing him as the man who "stopped a whole generation of kiddies from being mown down in the street".

He said: "As a kid Dave Prowse couldn't be more famous to me; stalking along corridors as evil incarnate in the part of Darth Vader & stopping a whole generation of kiddies from being mown down in street as the Green Cross Code man. Rest in Peace, Bristol's finest."

Tweeting about his co-star, Mark Hamill, who played his son Luke in the films, wrote: "So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader.

"Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him."