David Prowse Movies and Career Information

David Prowse, MBE (born 1 July 1935) is an English former bodybuilder, weightlifter and actor, most widely known for his role as playing the physical form of Darth Vader, who was voiced by James Earl Jones. In Britain, he is also remembered as having played the Green Cross Code man. Prowse is a native of Bristol, where he attended Bristol Grammar School. Prowse is best known for playing the physical form of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. He spoke the dialogue during the filming of the movie, and didn't actually know Vader was Luke's father until he saw The Empire Strikes Back in the cinema. Though he was never going to be used as the voice of Darth Vader, he was originally told that he would be seen and heard at the end of Return of the Jedi when Vader's mask was removed. This did not end up happening as actor Sebastian Shaw was brought in instead. However, Lucas claims he wanted a 'darker voice' (Lucas has stated that Darth Vader had to have a deep, reverberating voice) that Prowse could not provide and never intended to use Prowse's voice. In the 2004 documentary, Empire of Dreams, actress Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia Organa in the original trilogy