“Darth Vader” Dies

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 12:28

Written by Editor

Former Olympic fencer Bob Anderson, who staged fights in Star Wars films  and From Russia With   Love, has died at the age of 89. Anderson fought light sabre battles as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, two of the original Star Wars films. In the non-fight scenes, Vader was played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones. The British Academy of Fencing confirmed Anderson died on 1st January.

It was Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars trilogy, who revealed Anderson was behind the fight scenes in a 1983 interview with Starlog magazine.

Anderson is survived by his wife Pearl and three children. Funeral details have not yet been announced