Bob Anderson, a former Olympic fencer for Britain and movie sword master, has passed away at the age of 89. The role that most people saw Anderson in - although few actually knew it - was as Darth Vader in most of the fight scenes in the Star Wars movies.
Anderson was the sword master on The Empire Stikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Unfortunately the main actor playing Darth Vader, David Prowse, could not handle the sword moves required for the battles. Anderson decided to step in and fight himself, even though at six feet he was six inches shorter than Prowse.
Mark Hamill revealed Anderson role in a 1983 interview with Starlog magazine.
Anderson had a long career in the film industry, prior to which he had served in the Royal Marines and represented Britain in the 1952 Olympics.
