Fencer who played Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ dies
Posted January 3, 2012 9:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A fencer who competed for England in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and later appeared as Darth Vader in Star Wars has died.
Robert “Bob” Anderson was 89.
Anderson worked as a stunt double and choreographer in Hollywood for many years, including teaching Errol Flynn for Master of Ballantrae and choreographing scenes between Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin in The Princess Bride.
Anderson didn’t receive onscreen credit for his role as Darth Vader. The part was voiced by James Earl Jones and played by David Prowse. But Prowse didn’t have Anderson’s sword skills, so he filled in during the famous fight scene with Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker.
Anderson is survived by his wife, their three children, and many grandchildren.
