He was also in Space: 1999 as I remember. Man, so many of our heroes, and yes he was one, are leaving this world now. The light is going out… one person at a time.
I met him several conventions over the years. He became a good friend of one of my friends (a good enough friend that he would stay with her family sometimes when he came to the US). Our group did a Star Wars costume entry for one of the cons (in Ohio, I think) where he was one of the judges. My friend did a beautiful Darth Vader costume (all hand made) and when it was our turn to come on stage, she marched up to the judges (all 5’2" of her), knelt before David Prowse and said “What is thy bidding, my master?”. The audience just roared. We won a prize for the group, but I think she may have gotten a special mention award. It was after that that David started talking to her and communicating with her for many years. It was fun seeing them next to each other. She was short, but, boy did she have the presence to carry it off. She was so commanding (and had the stride down perfectly!) that you forgot how short she was. She also had a killer Cylon costume from the original Battlestar Galactica. Gee, that must have been about 40 years ago. We were in our late teens, early twenties. I think I was about the oldest at 24.
Prowse, like all of the “masked” characters in Star Wars, had to create a character solely on his physicality, and he did that masterfully. The way Vader moved and gestured influenced the work James Earl Jones would do on the voice and even how John Williams orchestrated the Imperial March. In the visual medium of film, Dave Prowse was instrumental in creating the essence of the character.
The fact the he got replaced in Return of the Jedi as a force ghost by Hayden Christensen in the modified version really made me hate Lucas, he first overdubbed him without his knowledge, then replaced the one time he is actually seen in the series…
allen@home almost 4 years ago
Very nice tribute John and Scott.
catchup almost 4 years ago
Did he want to be a Force ghost? He was proudest of his work as the Green Cross Code man (which is how I first encountered Mr Prowse).
jmworacle almost 4 years ago
Bravo! However it is sad.
Max the Destroyer almost 4 years ago
Very nice tribute guys
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member almost 4 years ago
A nice tribute to a nice guy.
Gent almost 4 years ago
Did you know he’s your father, Luke?
NOOOOOOOO!
RobinHood almost 4 years ago
He once bought me and a friend a drink for asking a good question at a Con in D.C.
azrael2000 almost 4 years ago
He was also in Space: 1999 as I remember. Man, so many of our heroes, and yes he was one, are leaving this world now. The light is going out… one person at a time.
ahnk_2000 almost 4 years ago
Very nice, John and Scott.
drmickeyg almost 4 years ago
Thank you, guys.
RaydarA almost 4 years ago
Wonderful Tribute.
rickmac1937 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
RIP
Jeffin Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Whose father was he really?
Teto85 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
The Mrs remembers him as the Green Cross Man.
Aladar30 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Beautiful tribute ♡.
Catmom almost 4 years ago
Nicely done, John and Scott. May Mr. Prowse rest in peace.
contralto2b almost 4 years ago
I met him several conventions over the years. He became a good friend of one of my friends (a good enough friend that he would stay with her family sometimes when he came to the US). Our group did a Star Wars costume entry for one of the cons (in Ohio, I think) where he was one of the judges. My friend did a beautiful Darth Vader costume (all hand made) and when it was our turn to come on stage, she marched up to the judges (all 5’2" of her), knelt before David Prowse and said “What is thy bidding, my master?”. The audience just roared. We won a prize for the group, but I think she may have gotten a special mention award. It was after that that David started talking to her and communicating with her for many years. It was fun seeing them next to each other. She was short, but, boy did she have the presence to carry it off. She was so commanding (and had the stride down perfectly!) that you forgot how short she was. She also had a killer Cylon costume from the original Battlestar Galactica. Gee, that must have been about 40 years ago. We were in our late teens, early twenties. I think I was about the oldest at 24.
docnuke almost 4 years ago
Prowse, like all of the “masked” characters in Star Wars, had to create a character solely on his physicality, and he did that masterfully. The way Vader moved and gestured influenced the work James Earl Jones would do on the voice and even how John Williams orchestrated the Imperial March. In the visual medium of film, Dave Prowse was instrumental in creating the essence of the character.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 4 years ago
Such a big, handsome fellow he was too.
Craig Westlake almost 4 years ago
R.I.P. – All the good people are getting out of here while they can…
DrummerboyCO Premium Member almost 4 years ago
The fact the he got replaced in Return of the Jedi as a force ghost by Hayden Christensen in the modified version really made me hate Lucas, he first overdubbed him without his knowledge, then replaced the one time he is actually seen in the series…