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1-4 of 4
- Actor
- Additional Crew
David "Dave" Prowse was born into a working class family on 1 July, 1935 in Bristol, England, UK. He was raised by his mother and never knew his father. As a child, David was disadvantaged and a poor student, he found a passion for bodybuilding and weight training in his early teens, as a young adult, David often entered weightlifting competitions and contested in the famous Mr. Universe contest. Eventually, David won the British heavyweight weightlifting title and gained status as a highly regarded and respected member of the fitness community. Over this period of competitive weightlifting, David became lifelong friends with actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, who at the time were not professional actors but rival competitors. After appearing on various broadcast sporting events, David was offered a role in the feature film Casino Royale (1967) as "Frankenstein's Monster". Although the casting was based on David's stature, David developed a strong interest in acting and decided to pursue it further.
From 1967 to 1977, David enjoyed a quiet, but very successful career within film and television starring in such films as A Clockwork Orange (1971), Up Pompeii (1971) and numerous Hammer House of Horror films, gaining a vast and bulky CV. In 1975, David's popularity as a respected fitness guru landed him with the role and duty of the Green Cross Code Man, a superhero designed by the British road safety committee to teach road safety to children. The persona saw David traveling the world to give talks, demonstrations and shoot short television spots based on the hero's message. Proving successful the Green Cross Code Man continued to be a side project throughout David's busy career until the 1990s. He considers this role to be of great importance, and has stated many times that it is possibly the most rewarding job he has held.
It was not until 1977 when David attended an audition for a film entitled Star Wars. The film was not considered to be a big thing at the time and the audition was held by director George Lucas. At the meeting, George offered David either the part of Chewbacca or Darth Vader. Instantly turning away the role of Chewbacca, David insisted he play the lead villain Darth Vader. George asked David why he wanted to play Vader and he replied "Everyone remembers the villain, George." David also had a wealth of experience playing villains in previous films, and was the obvious choice. David played the role of Darth Vader for the entirety of the original Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). Although David does not voice the character, he is the physical body. Star Wars was perhaps David's most important role and a role that has enlisted him as one of the most memorable character villains of all time.
There have been many rumors, disputes and discussions about David's relationship with Star Wars and its staff. Regarding the apparent misled information David received about Vader's voice, promotional neglect and general mistreatment from Lucasfilm. This feud resulted in David being banned from all official Star Wars events. A statement from George Lucas read "He has burnt too many bridges." David stated that a majority of the rumors in circulation regarding the topic are fabricated and false including those of respectable actors involved, and has openly admitted his support of James Earl Jones as the voice of Vader and claims Lucas film were too concerned with keeping Vader a character than letting David receive deserved credit. The topic is covered in detail, in David's autobiography "Straight from the Force's Mouth". After Star Wars, David continued to work in television and film, making numerous appearances with the legendary Benny Hill. He continued to tour as the Green Cross Code Man and became the personal fitness trainer of many celebrities including Daniel Day-Lewis and Vanessa Redgrave.
David was loyal to Star Wars fans and participated in a number of fan-films as various characters spoofing Star Wars. Towards the end of David's busy acting period, his health declined due to a serious inflammation of arthritis, leaving him unable to stand for long periods of time and inflicting agonizing pain on his knees and hips. Undergoing treatment with hip replacement operations, it was discovered that David had prostate cancer in 2009. After a series of radiotherapy treatments at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, David made a full recovery in a remarkably short period of time. David was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honours List for his contributions to charity and spokesmanship for road safety, the disabled and other various charities. From 2004, David began writing his autobiography entitled "Straight from the Force's Mouth," which covers his career in showbiz and documents an unedited diary account of the Star Wars production. The book was published officially in hardback by Apex Publishing in 2011, and David toured Europe to attend book signings and personal appearances.
Over the course of his career, between acting and touring the world both as the Green Cross Code Man and David Prowse, David trained actors for films including Christopher Reeve for Superman (1978), wrote fitness books "Fitness is Fun", supported charity and even became the head of fitness for superstore Harrods. In the 2000s, David spent his time attending unofficial Star Wars events, conventions and film events where he signed photos, spoke to the fans and was in high demand as a public speaker all over the world.- Justin Lee 'JLC' Collins is a multi award winning documentary and television presenter known for his long hair and colorful appearance. Born and raised in Bristol, England Justin has a recognizable west country accent. Justin was raised by his father Danny a freelance electrician and his mother Anita, he is an only child.
Justin left Speedwell Technology College at the early age of 15 and started working full time in a warehouse for a supermarket with no qualifications. His father insisted he accept a placement at Filton College to study performing arts, he did and gained a BTEC national diploma.
During his time at Filton College, Justin was given a slot on a small-time local radio station performing sketches and impersonations, The slot was given to him by chance after a prank phone call to the station left the host in fits of laughter.
As a child Justin had a fascination with cult television, and loved shows such as The A-team, Dallas. His Favourite film was Star Wars, and loved the musician Tom Jones. All of which would play a huge part in his future career.
On leaving college Justin was employed as a 'double-glazing' salesman, he would practice stand-up jokes on passers by and use it to make sales. During this job Justin would perform stand up comedy on 'nights' in local clubs, pubs and bars. Eventually winning the best New Comedy act at the Glastonbury festival in 1997 gaining him a place at the BBC New Comedy Awards where he was a finalist.Justin was noticed by a talent scout for MTV during a stand-up gig, and was offered a job presenting a new TV show. Justin officially quit stand-up comedy in 2002 to focus on television and radio.
During 2002, Justin made numerous television shows for MTV and Bravo. He also starred in an advert for UK food snack 'Twiglets'.
In 2003, British 'alternative' radio station XFM hired Justin to host a prime-time show once a week. During which came Justin's first big break in the industry, his talents landed him the opportunity to host BBC's companion show for 'Strictly Come Dancing' a remake of Justin's childhood Favourite TV show. Justin hosted the show for one year, and left XFM in 2005.
From 2005 to present, Justin has continued to present and host popular documentary's, television shows and game-shows. Including his very own Bring back series... in which he tracks down childhood icons from iconic films/shows and reunites them one last time and popular late night comedy 'The Friday night project' in which he co-hosted with award winning comedian Alan Carr.
In 2010, Justin tried to represent the UK in the Eurovision song contest. He was rejected by the BBC. In January he announce that he was going to try to represent Ireland with a song written for him by lead member of the band boy-zone, Ronan Keating. RTE also rejected his attempt. Although the song was not short-listed for entry but was available for sale in the UK charts.
From August 2011 to September 2012 Collins played Dennis Dupree in The West End production of Rock Of Ages along side X factor star Shane Ward.
Collins separated from his wife of 5 years and a relationship with Anna Larke in 2010. They lived together in Kew, London from January to July 2011. In December 2011, Collins was charged with harassment and causing fear of violence, following alleged harassment of Larke. On 9 October 2012, Collins was convicted of harassment causing fear of violence by a majority verdict of the jury. He was sentenced to 140 hours of community service and ordered to pay £3,500 prosecution costs. He did not appeal against his conviction. Following the trial he sought help from a psychotherapist. - Art Department
- Special Effects
- Visual Effects
Brian Ian Muir, perhaps one of the most respected sculptors and artists in the industry has been working in film for over 40 years in a career spanning since 1968.
As a teen Brian started a 4 year apprenticeship in woodwork and sculpture design at the Associated British Production Corporation (Elstree Studios), talent and clearly gifted Brian at the age of 20 was hired by Bradfords, London, UK where he was instructed to design a Coat of Arms for the Crown Court and a Plaque for the New London Stock Exchange, which was unveiled by the Queen of England.
During his time at ABPC, Brian was commissioned to work on a number of films, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Willow and more.
Brian then went on to form his own design company (Elstree Design and Construction) which he ran successfully for over 10 years, in which he was responsible for the modeling of countless films, such as the James Bond series.
Brian has created many recognizable characters, sets and props for adverts, TV, film and out of industry work. He is perhaps most famous for his work on Star Wars as the sculptor of 'Darth Vader's helmet'.
In 2009 Brian wrote his autobiography 'In The Shadow Of Vader' which has been rated with 5 stars on online shopping store, Amazon for over 2 years. It tells the story of Brians time in the film industry.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Producer
Lily Spencer is a New England actor and producer, originally from Connecticut. Her most recent acting credits include supporting roles in Death or Taxes (2024), Put The Stone Down (2023), Mrs. Halloway (2022) & The Locket (2021).
She is an executive producer of She, Who Dared (2023) which highlights the groundbreaking work of lost film icon Lois Weber. Some of her other projects include Dessert (2022), Higher Methods (2022), & End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock (2021).
She is passionate about true stories of women's issues, veterans, mental health, indigenous peoples, psychedelics and healing.