Prowse, David 1935- (Dave Prowse)

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Prowse, David 1935- (Dave Prowse)

PERSONAL

Born July 1, 1935, in Bristol, England; married; wife's name, Norma; children: three. Avocational Interests: Football (soccer).

Career:

Actor. Served as the Green Cross Code Man (a character promoting safety for children) and appeared in advertisements and public appearances. Bodybuilder; toured as the "Britain's Strongest Man"; involved in various competitions, including the Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition and the Highland Games; Dave Prowse Fitness Centre, London, owner. BOAC, Bristol, England, apprentice engineer; also worked as a bouncer and in sales. Appeared in the "Men behind the Masks" tour of Star Wars performers, c. 1997; also appeared in conventions. Involved with charities, including serving as the vice president of the Physically Handicapped and Able-bodied Association, founding the fund-raiser David Prowse's Force against Arthritis, and working with the spinal cord injury organization Walkoncemore and the Variety Club children's charity.

Awards, Honors:

Prowse's performance as Darth Vader in the Star Wars films was named one of the 100 greatest movie characters of all time, Premiere magazine; British Heavyweight Weightlifting Champion, 1962, 1963, and 1964; Highland Games, finished third; named a Member of the British Empire, 2000.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

(Uncredited) Frankenstein's creature, Casino Royale (also known as Casino 007, Charles K. Feldman's "Casino Royale," and James Bond 007—Casino Royale), Columbia, 1967.

(Uncredited) Jelly-Roll's partner, Col cuore in gola (also known as Deadly Sweet, Heart Beat, I Am What I Am, With Heart in Mouth, Dead stop—Le coeur aux levres, and En cinquieme vitesse), Les Films Corona/Panda Societa per l'Industria Cinematografica, 1967, Films Distributing Corporation, 1969.

George, Hammerhead, Columbia, 1968.

Wedding guest, Crossplot, United Artists, 1969.

(As Dave Prowse) The monster, The Horror of Frankenstein, Angelo-EMI Film Distributors, 1970, American Continental Films, 1971.

(As Dave Prowse) Bearded torturer, Carry on Henry (also known as Carry on Henry VIII and Carry on Henry or Mind My Chopper!), J. Arthur Rank, 1971.

Julian (Frank Alexander's bodyguard), A Clockwork Orange (also known as Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange"), Warner Bros., 1971.

(Uncredited) Man, Up Pompeii, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Angelo-EMI Film Distributors, 1971.

(As Dave Prowse) Sir Grumbell de Grunt, Up the Chastity Belt (also known as The Chastity Belt and Naughty Knights), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Angelo-EMI Film Distributors, 1971.

Actor, Go for a Take (also known as Double Take), J. Arthur Rank, 1972.

(As Dave Prowse) Strongman, Vampire Circus, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1972.

(As Dave Prowse) Harry, White Cargo, Border Film Distributors, 1973.

Jonathan Walker, Black Snake (also known as Black Snake: The Whip, Duchess of Doom, Slaves, and Sweet Suzy), Image Entertainment, 1973.

Monster, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell, Paramount, 1974.

Muscle man, "Ye Olde Wishing Well" sketch, The Best of Benny Hill, EMI Films, 1974.

Confessions of a Window Cleaner, Columbia-Warner Distributors, 1974.

(As Dave Prowse) Arthur, Callan (also known as The Neutralizer and This Is Callan), EMI Distribution, 1974, Cinema National, 1975.

Man at cinema, Confessions of a Pop Performer (also known as Timothy Lea's "Confessions of a Pop Performer"), Columbia-Warner Distributors, 1975.

Darth Vader, Star Wars (also known as Adventures of the Starkiller: Episode 1—The Star Wars, The Adventures of Luke Starkiller as Taken from the "Journal of the Whills," Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope, Star Wars IV: A New Hope, The Star Wars, The Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Starkiller, and La guerra de las estrellas), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1977, other versions also released. (As Dave Prowse) Executioner, The People That Time Forgot, American International Pictures, 1977.

(As Dave Prowse) Red Herring and black knights, Jabberwocky (also known as Monty Python's "Jabberwocky "), Cinema 5, 1977.

(Uncredited) Gulliver's Travels (live action and animated), EMI Distribution, 1977, Sunn Classic Pictures, 1981.

Darth Vader, Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back (also known as The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back, A Birodalom visszavag, Das Imperium schlaegt zurueck, El imperio contra ataca, El imperio contraataca, Guerra nas estrelas 2—O imperio contra-ataca, Gwiezdne wojny: Imperium kontratakuje, Ha-Emperia Maka Shenit, Imperiet slaar igen, Imperiet slaar tilbake, Imperiumin vastaisku, Imperium vraci uder, La guerra de les galaxies: L'imperi contraataca, La guerre des etoiles V: L'empire contre-attaque, L'empire contre-attaque, L'impero colpisce ancora, O imperio contra-ataca, Razboiul stelelor—Imperiul contraataca, Rymdimperiet slaar tillbaka, Star wars: Episodio V—El imperio contraataca, Star Wars—Episodio V—O imperio contra-ataca, Star wars V—imperiumin vastaisku, Star wars: Epizoda V—imperium vracia uder, and Suta wozu: Teikoku no gyakushu), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1980, other versions also released.

Dark Vader, Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (also known as Blue Harvest, Return of the Jedi, Revenge of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VI—Revenge of the Jedi, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, Die Rueckkehr der Jedi-Ritter, El regreso del Jedi, El retorn del Jedi, El retorno del Jedi, Il ritorno dello Jedi, Jedin paluu, Jedins aaterkomst, Jedi-ridderen vender tilbage, Jediridderen vender tilbake, La guerra de les galaxies: El retorn del jedi, La guerre des etoiles VI: Le retour du jedi, Le retour du Jedi, O regresso de Jedi, O retorno de Jedi, Powrot jedi, Razboiul stelelor—Intoarcerea lui jedi, Star wars VI—Jedin paluu, and Suta wozu: Jedai no kikan), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1983, other versions also released.

More Bloody Meetings (short film), Video Arts, 1984.

Sunder, Ravedactyl: Project Evolution (short film), Beyond Comics, 2003.

Dave Prowse, Comic Book: The Movie, Miramax Home Entertainment, 2004.

Dave Prowse, Saving "Star Wars," Woodworks Films, 2004.

Himself, Geeks (documentary), Post No Bills Films, 2004.

(In archive footage) Himself, Heart of an Empire (documentary), Forsaken Sun Productions, 2005.

Commander Prowse, Order of the Sith: Downfall (short film), 2006.

Dave Prowse, Open Mic'rs, Woodworks Films, 2006.

Himself, Fanpire (documentary), 2007.

Stanley, Perfect Woman, Olympus Productions, 2008.

Dr. Alexander Wood, The Bard: The Story of Robert Burns, Ego Entertainment, c. 2008.

Film Work:

Physical trainer for Christopher Reeve, Superman (also known as Superman: The Movie), Warner Bros., 1978.

Personal trainer for Daniel Day-Lewis, The Last of the Mohicans, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1992.

Personal trainer for other performers.

Television Appearances; Series:

Albert, The Edge of Night (also known as Edge of Night), CBS, 1979.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Stanley, The Rose Medallion, BBC, 1981.

Himself, Ultimate Sci-Fi Top 10, Sky Television, 2004.

(In archive footage) Science of Star Wars, The Discovery Channel, 2005.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Mooney, "Mooney and His Caravans," The Wednesday Play, BBC, 1968.

Darth Vader, The Making of "Star Wars," ABC, 1977.

Charles, "As You Like It," BBC Television Shakespeare (also known as BBC Shakespeare Series, The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare, and The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: "As You Like It"), BBC Two, 1978.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Darth Vader, The "Star Wars" Holiday Special, CBS, 1978.

Green Gross Code Man, The 100 Greatest TV Moments, Channel 4 (England), 1999.

(As Dave Prowse) Himself, Wizard World Chicago 2002, 2002.

(In archive footage) Himself, Empire of Dreams: The Story of the "Star Wars" Trilogy, Arts and Entertainment, 2004.

Appeared in other programs.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

The Second Annual Spaceys, Space, 2004.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Boy, "There Was I, Waiting …!," Boy Meets Girl, BBC, 1967.

Emlyn, "Coming Through the Rye," The Beverly Hillbillies, CBS, 1968.

(As Dave Prowse) Johnny, "For a Rainy Day," Softly Softly (also known as Softly, Softly: Task Force), BBC, 1968.

Weightlifter, "The Invisible Man," The Champions, NBC, 1968.

Adolfo, "The Treasure of the Costa Del Sol," Department S, Independent Television (England), 1969.

(Uncredited) Muscle man, "Ye Olde Wishing Well" sketch, "The European Song Contest" (also known as "Show 1"), The Benny Hill Show, Independent Television (England), 1969.

Tony, "The Portrait of Brenda," The Saint, Independent Television (England), 1969.

Bodyguard, "Kingsmate," Codename, BBC, 1970.

Kal, "One and One and One Are Four: Parts 1-3," Ace of Wands, Thames Television, 1970.

Wellington, "Where Else Could I Go?," Callan, Independent Television (England), 1970.

First Vespucci, "The Sicilian Affair," From a Bird's Eye View (also known as Up She Goes), Incorporated Television Company and NBC, 1971.

Minotaur, "The Time Monster: Part 6" (also known as "The Time Monster, Episode 6"), Doctor Who (also known as Dr. Who), BBC, 1972.

Android, "The Medusa Strain: Parts 1-4," The Tomorrow People, Independent Television (England), 1973.

Brosk, "Go Warily," Arthur of the Britons, Harlech Television, 1973.

Col, "The Slave," Arthur of the Britons, Harlech Television, 1973.

Husband, "Series 3, Episode 5," The Two Ronnies, BBC, 1973.

(As Dave Prowse) Nobby, "Sir John and Baby Doc," Doctor at Sea (also known as Doctor in the House), Independent Television (England), 1974.

Guest, Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game (also known as The Generation Game), BBC, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977.

The ape, "The Ides of Mark," Warship, BBC, 1976.

(As Dave Prowse) Cloud creature, "The Beta Cloud," Space: 1999 (also known as Spazio: 1999), syndicated, 1976.

The Kenneth Williams Show, BBC, 1976.

(As Dave Prowse) Jem Pollock, "1914: Call to Arms," A Horseman Riding By, BBC, 1978.

(As Dave Prowse) Jem Pollock, "1914: The Last Hot Summer," A Horseman Riding By, BBC, 1978.

Guest, Larry Grayson's "Generation Game" (also known as The Generation Game), BBC, 1978.

Himself, "Raymond Mason/David Prowse/Anthony Chinn," The Morecambe & Wise Show, Thames Television, 1980.

(As Dave Prowse) Bodyguard, "Episode 5," The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (also known as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), BBC, 1981.

(As Dave Prowse) Himself, "The Comic Strip Hero," Arena, BBC, 1981.

(Uncredited) Strongman, "Scuttlevision" (also known as "Show 46"), The Benny Hill Show, Independent Television (England), 1984.

Cassius, "The Lost City," Crossbow (also known as William Tell and Guillaume Tell), 1988.

Himself, "The Light Side of the Force," Light Lunch, Channel 4 (England), 1988.

Himself, "Peter Cushing," This Is Your Life, Independent Television (England), 1990.

Hotel guest, Vita Ioegner, 1998.

Participant, Through the Keyhole, Independent Television (England), 2000.

Himself, The Jack Docherty Show (also known as Not the Jack Docherty Show), Channel 5 (England), 2001.

Himself, "Villains," After They Were Famous, Independent Television (England), 2005.

(In archive footage) Himself, Cinema mil, Televisio de Catalunya (TV3, Spain), 2005.

(In archive footage) Darth Vader, "Magnificent Movies," 20 to 1, Nine Network (Australia), 2006.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Darth Vader, Today Tonight, Seven Network (Australia), 2007.

Appeared in other programs, including Tiswas (live action and animated; also known as This Is Saturday, Wear a Smile!, This Is Saturday, What a Show!, and Today Is Saturday, Watch and Smile!).

Stage Appearances:

The Debbie Reynolds Show, London Palladium, London, 1975.

Appeared as Death, Don't Let Summer Come, Mermaid Theatre, London; some sources cite appearances in the production An Evening with David Prowse, Lampeter, Wales and an appearance at the Off the Shelf Literary Festival, Sheffield, England, both 2005.

RECORDINGS

Videos:

Himself and Darth Vader, Return of the Ewok (short), Lucasfilm, 1999.

Himself, The Unauthorized "Star Wars" Story, Visual Entertainment, 1999.

Himself, The Birth of the Lightsaber (short), Twentieth Century-Fox Home Entertainment, 2004.

Himself, You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman, Warner Home Video, 2006.

Video Games:

Darth Vader, Monopoly Star Wars, Artech Studios/Hasbro Interactive, 1997.

(In archive footage) Darth Vader, Star Wars: Battlefront, LucasArts Entertainment Company, 2004.

WRITINGS

Nonfiction:

(As Dave Prowse; with John Parker) Fitness Is Fun, W. H. Allen/Virgin Books, 1979.

Play Safe with the Stars: Child's Guide to Safety, Proteus, 1981.

(With David Fowler) Straight from the Force's Mouth (also known as Straight from the Force's Mouth: A Career Most Extraordinary), Volumes 1 and 2, Filament Publishing, 2005.