David "Dave" Prowse, MBE (born July 1, 1935 in Bristol) is an English bodybuilder, weightlifter and actor, most widely known for his role as the physical form of Darth Vader. His peak height was at 6 ft 6.5 in (199 cm) and he weighed 265 lbs (120 kg). Prowse is a native of Bristol, where he attended Bristol Grammar School.

Is a former weightlifting champion.

Trained Christopher Reeve for his role in the first Superman (1978) movie. Was many times weightlifting champion in Britain.

Was the Green cross code man, a character used to teach [UK] children how to cross the road safely.

Owns a gym "The Dave Prowse Fitness Centre" in London, England, UK. His brother Bob Prowse used to manage it for him before opening his own Health Club in Maidstone.

Because of his loftiness, George Lucas hired him to occupy the costume of Darth Vader in Star Wars (1977). But because of his British accent, Lucas chose James Earl Jones as the voice of Vader

Appeared as a strongman in the famous "Wishing Well" sketch from the first season of "Benny Hill Show, The" (1969), which was used by the show's American syndicator to pitch the program to U.S. TV stations.

He commented in an interview that he was unaware that his voice been dubbed with that of James Earl Jones' until he saw the movie _Star Wars (1977)_ on opening night.

Once complained in an interview that he felt he "wasn't getting any publicity" for his work as Darth Vader.

Attended the I Central American Star Wars (1977) Convention at Guatemala City, Guatemala, on 27-28 July 2002, to talk about his character ("Darth Vader") on the first Star Wars trilogy, along with Jeremy Bulloch ("Boba Fett").

Attended Bristol Grammar School, Bristol, England, UK. Actors Julian Glover and Timothy West were in the same year there.

When Sebastian Shaw (I) was revealed in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) as the "man behind Darth Vader's mask", Darth Vader became the first recurring role in a movie series to be played by three actors at the same time: body by Prowse, voice by James Earl Jones and face by Sebastian Shaw (I).

He was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honours List for his services to charity and road safety.

He was the special guest at the first Sci-Fi convention in the north west (UK) at Lancaster and Morecambe college on the 3rd October 2004.

Despite the fame of Darth Vader, Prowse says that the role he is most proud of is the Green Cross Code Man.

He was barred from doing the lightsaber duels in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)_ and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) because he kept breaking the poles that stood in for the laser blades during the first film. The lightsaber duels in the sequels were instead done by Bob Anderson (III), the swordmaster who handled the lightsaber choreography; in order to make up for the height difference, Bob Anderson (III) wore platform shoes and was often filmed from low angles.

Prowse and James Earl Jones have never met in person.

Three clips are available on the Star Wars making of documentary DVD of Prowse speaking Darth Vader's lines.

Said that of all the directors he worked with while making the Star Wars trilogy Irvin Kershner, who directed Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)_, was his favorite. David praised Irvin Kershner in an interview for being very helpful and supportive of the actors.

Before he entered films, he was a hard working apprentice engineer at BOAC in Bristol.

His performance as Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" trilogy is ranked #84 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

His peak height was 6' 7". After several surgeries and due to his age, he has lost several inches. He is now about 6' 5" tall.