NEW YORK -- Actor David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, died from COVID-19, his daughter said Monday, one day after her father died at 85.
Agent Thomas Bowington did not give a cause of death on Sunday, but on Monday, Prowse's daughter Rachel told the U.K.'s Sun newspaper that her father died of COVID-19 complications after being hospitalized in London for two weeks.
“It’s horrible that COVID restrictions meant we did not get to see him and say goodbye,” Rachel, 50, told the Sun.
“But when we went to collect his stuff from the hospital, the nurse said what a cool guy he was. He was such a larger-than-life character. He would have loved to see himself trending on Twitter,” she added
Bowington on Sunday said in a statement, "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."
"May the force be with him, always!" Bowington said in a statement. "Though famous for playing many monsters -- for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives.”
Prowse was the actor who wore the famous black helmet and suit for Darth Vader. However, it was James Earl Jones who provided the voice for the character. Reports say Prowse’s English accent was not appropriate for the part.
The actor was born in a council estate in Southmead, England, where he gained a scholarship to attend Bristol Grammar School.
In the 1960s, he had a passion for bodybuilding and was crowned British Weightlifting Champion several times.
His big break happened when he played Darth Vader in all three of the original “Star Wars” movies in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
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