Former British bodybuilder Dave Prowse, best known for playing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, has passed away at the age of 85. His manager confirmed the news on twitter. 

“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,” Bowington Management tweeted. 

After seeing him play a bodyguard in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, George Lucas invited Prowse to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Prowse later told BBC that he chose Vader because “you always remember the bad guys.” 

The 6’6 actor was cast as Lord Vader for his imposing frame, while James Earl Jones provided the character’s iconic voice. 

Prowse first appeared on the big screen in the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale, where he played Frankenstein’s Creature. He would reprise the role in Hammer films’ Horror of Frankenstein and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell. The actor also regularly appeared on series like The Saint, Space 1999 and Doctor Who. 

The actor was best known for playing the Sith Lord, but he was most proud of his role as the Green Cross Code Man, where he promoted road safety in the UK.