R.I. P. Bob Anderson/Darth Vader

Bob Anderson, Olympic fencer and movie sword master whodonned Darth Vader's helmet for all of the light saber fight scenes in StarWars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return ofthe Jedi, has passed away at the age of 89. Cause of death was not disclosed tothe public.

Bob Anderson worked as a sword master, fight director, andstunt performer for over five decades in cinema, appearing alongside ErrolFlynn, Antonio Banderas, and Mark Hamill.
It was Mark Hamill who outted Bob Anderson as the thirdpiece of the Darth Vader persona in 1983. The actor was joined by James EarlJones as the voice and David Prowse as the body in creating one of the greatestvillains of all time.
According to Bob Anderson's former assistant Leon Hill,David Prowse wasn't good with a sword, and he was unable to properly learn themoves needed for the climatic end fight scene in Star Wars: Episode V - TheEmpire Strikes Back. So, despite being several inches shorter and nearing 60years of age, Bob donned the costume and did the scenes himself opposite MarkHamill, whom he also trained.