David Prowse

Dave Prowse M.B.E. was born in Bristol, England on July 1,  1935.

This 6'7" man started weightlifting and bodybuilding at an early age.  He won the British Championships for 3 consecutive years.  He quit bodybuilding when he was offered a part in a play at the Mermaid Theater called Don't Let Summer Come.  His first appearance in film was an uncredited part in Casino Royale 1967 where he played Frankenstein's creature.  He worked with Stanley Kubrick on A Clockwork Orange 1971 where he had to lift the actor Patrick Magee, in a wheelchair,  up a small flight of stairs.  Kubrick had Prowse do this repeatedly until Prowse had to tell Kubrick he just couldn't go on because he was exhausted.

After work on A Clockwork Orange Prowse returned to his first love.  He opened and ran a fully equipped 'Star Gym' in London. (he opened two more locations).  He also worked as the Green Cross Man, the role he is most proud, in which he has helped children learn about safety on the streets.

Mr. Prowse has written two books and another and it's sequel are on their way plus he will also publish a star recipe book, proceeds going to his charity, and a film trivia book.

When Prowse was first offered Star Wars it was his choice to play either Chewbacca or Darth Vader.  He asked Lucas to describe each character....he chose Darth Vader quickly, when asked by Lucas why Vader, he said basically that nobody remembers the 'goodie' everyone remembers the villain.

His gyms have since been closed, the owners of the land decided they wanted to make flats (apartments).  He did not retire though, Prowse launched a new magazine, Dave Prowse's Guide to Executive Wellness (Oct 2001), works on projects such as photography, playing the piano, jazz singing, computer and doing the things he's always wanted to do.

  He is married to Norma and has three children (one is Rachel) and grandchildren.

 

 

Film

Perfect Woman~2008 - perverted gardener

Comic Book: The Movie~2004 - (V) Himself

Geeks~2004 - Himself

Saving Star Wars~2004 - Himself

Return of the Ewok~1999 - Darth Vader/Himself

The Unauthorized Star Wars Story~1999 - (V) Himself

More Bloody Meetings~1984 - (V)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi~1983 - Darth Vader

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back~1980 - Darth Vader

Jabberwocky~1977 - Red Herring and Black Knights

People That Time Forgot, The~1977 - Executioner (see Actor Connections - Film)

Star Wars~1977 - Darth Vader

Confessions of a Pop Performer~1975 - Man at cinema

Callan~1974 - Arthur (see Actor Connections - Film)

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell~1974 - The Creature

White Cargo~1973 - Harry 

Blacksnake!~1973 - Waler's Brother

Vampire Circus~1972 - Strongman

Carry On Henry~1971 - Bearded Torturer (see Actor Connections - Film)

Up Pompeii~1971 (uncredited) - Man

Clockwork Orange, A~1971 - Julian

Horror of Frankenstein, The~1970 - The Monster

Hammerhead~1968 - George

Casino Royale~1967 (uncredited) - Frankenstein's creature (see Actor Connections - Film)

Film Physical Trainer

Erin Brochovich~2000 (Albert Finney)

Gangs of New York~2002 - (Daniel Day Lewis)

Girl Interrupted~1999 - (Vanessa Redrave)

Last of the Mohicans~1992 - (Daneil Day Lewis)

Princess Bride, The~1987 - (Cary Elwes)

Superman~1978 - (Christopher Reeve)

 

TV 

After They Were Famous~2005 - Himself in Villains

Ultimate Sci-Fi Top 10~2004 - Himself

Wizard World Chicago 2002~2002 - Himself

100 Greatest TV Moments, The~1999  - himself

Best of Hollywood, The~1998  (thanks)

Vita Logner~1997 - Hotel Guest (#2.36) 1/12/1998

This Is Your Life~1990 - Himself in Peter Cushing

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The~1981  mini - Hotblack Desiato's Bodyguard

To Tell the Truth~1969 - Guest 1978

Horseman Riding By, A~1978  mini series - Jem Pollock

As You Like It~1978 - Charles

The Making of Star Wars~1977 - Darth Vader

Space: 1999~1975 - Cloud Creature in Beta Cloud, The 1976

Best of Benny Hill, The~1974  -

Arthur of the Britons~1972 - Brosk in Go Warily (#2.5) 10/10/1973  and Col in episode Slave, The (#1.10) 2/7/1973

Tomorrow People, The~1973 - Android in Medusa Strain, The 1973

Doctor Who~1963~1963 - Minotaur in Time Monster, The (9.5) 5/20/1972

Deparment S~1969 - Adolfo in Treasure of the Costa Del sol, The (#2.2) 1/12/1972

Callan~1967 - Willington in Where Else Could I Go (#3.1) 4/8/1970

Ace of Wands~1970 - Kal in One and One and One are Four (#1.1) 1970

Saint, The~1962 - Tony in Portrait of Brenda, The (#6.20) 2/2/1969

Morecambe & Wise Show~1968 - Himself

The Champions~1968 - Weightlifter in The Invisible Man

Beverly Hillbillies, The~1962 - Emlyn in Coming Through the Rye (#7.4) 1/16/1968

Col cuore in gola<I Am What I Am>~1967 - Jelly-Roll's Partner

Boy Meets Girl~1967 - Boy in There Was I, Waiting...!

TV Physical Trainer

Hart to Hart~1979 (Stephanie Powers)

Dr. Who~1963 (Peter Davison)

 

Theater

Don't Let Summer Come~1965 - (Mermaid Theatre, London, UK)

Debbie Reynolds Show~1964 - (Palladium, London, UK) 

(Thanks to Mr. Prowse and a friend for the theatre credits!)

 

Live Performances

Off The Shelf~2005 - spotlight performer (Off the Shelf Literary Festival, Sheffield, England, UK)

An Evening With Dave Prowse~2005 1/25/05 - himself - he also sang: Next Time I'm in Town (Lampeter University, Caredigian, UK)

 

Books by or about Dave Prowse:

Straight from the Forces Mouth

Play Safe with the Stars~1981

Fitness is Fun with John Parker

 

Video Games

Monopoly Star Wars~1997 - Darth Vader

Star Wars Interactive Video Game (Board Game?) 

 

Awards, Honors and Nominations

MBE (Member of the British Empire) 

Rec'd 2000 for services to charity and road safety

 

Miscellany:

Dave Prowse's official site

 

Dave Prowse's interview at Lightsabre.co.uk

 

Personally trained: Stephanie Powers (Hart to Hart TV series), Albert Finney (Erin Brochovich), Vanessa Redgrave (Girl Interrupted), Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride),  Daniel Day Lewis (Gangs of New York/Last of the Mohicans), Peter Davison (Dr. Who)  and the crowned Prince of Saudi Arabia.

Was working at Harrod's when it was bombed by the IRA. (Harrod's is a wonderful 'department' store in London)

Was a professional Caber Tosser 

 

Had a 3 year reign as British Heavyweight weight-lifting champion

 

Was editor and contributor of 'Weider' muscle magazine in Europe and had his own magazine, which no longer exists, called 'Power'.

 

2001 - Working on a new magazine called 'Dave Prowse's Guide to Executive Wellness'

 

1998 - QVC UK - Guest on Star Wars Special 

 

1976-1990 - Green Cross Code Man

 

1969 - Owned Star Gym in Southwark, South London, UK

Archives

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LINKS

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Other

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