Darth Vader was voiced by James Earl Jones, but the man who gave him life as an expert lightsaber wielder was Bob Anderson.

Anderson was a third of Vader. He played Vader in two of the films during fight scenes. Anderson was 60 when he played Vader. He’s also coached Antonio Banderas and Errol Flynn. See, Anderson was an Olympic fencer, fight director, stunt performer and film swordsman.

Before getting involved in films he was in Britain’s Royal Marines in World War II. Lately, he was the swords master on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He was the very best at what he did. And we owe a lot of great combat scenes to him.

He died at the age of 89 and was survived by his wife and three children. [THR]

bob anderson, darth vader