David Prowse MBE, former bodybuilder/weightlifter and character actor in British film and television – best known for portraying Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has died.

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Prowse physically portrayed the role of Darth Vader in the original trilogy with the character’s voice being performed by James Earl Jones.

His agent Thomas Bowington said in a statement:

“May the force be with him, always!”

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

Mr Bowington called the actor’s death, after a short illness,

“A truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world”.

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Prior to his role as Vader, Prowse had established himself as a prominent figure in British culture as the first Green Cross Code man, a character used in British road safety advertising aimed at children.

In 2015 he starred in a documentary concerning that role, entitled I Am Your Father.

Prowse became a popular guest on the Comic Con Convention circuit up until his retirement in 2016.

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Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars movies, said he was “so sad” to hear the news.