Bob Anderson

For other uses, see Bob (disambiguation).

"I never took up the sword; I think the sword took me up."

―Bob Anderson^[src]

Bob Anderson (September 15, 1922 – January 1, 2012), born Robert James Gilbert Anderson, was the swordsmaster who played Darth Vader in his various fight scenes in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He replaced David Prowse due to the actor's tendency to break lightsabers. Because of the height differences – Anderson was 6'1" (1.85m), while Prowse was 6'7" (2.02m) – Anderson's scenes were filmed from a lower angle to make him seem taller, or he stood on some small stilts or wore platform shoes. Anderson later did swordfighting choreography and training for films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with Christopher Lee), the Zorro movies with Antonio Banderas and the James Bond film Die Another Day (with stunt performer Jim Dowdall).

Anderson also played Rebel Officer Trey Callum during the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Anderson died on New Year's Day in 2012. He was 89 years old.

This article is a stub about a person in real life. You can help Wookieepedia by expanding it.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back (stunt double)
"The New Wonder Column"—Star Wars Insider 26
Star Wars: The Complete Vader
"Launch Pad"—Star Wars Insider 132

Notes and references[edit | edit source]

↑ Heller, Corinne (2012-04-01). 'Darth Vader' sword master Bob Anderson dies at 89. OnTheRedCarpet. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012.
↑ Oldbury, Dave Louis (2011-06-21). My Bob Anderson Starwars Autograph. Star Wars Autograph Collecting. let-the-wookie-win.com. Retrieved on August 29, 2012. (backup link not available)
↑ Oldbury, Dave Louis (2011-08-27). My Bob Anderson Starwars Autograph. Star Wars Autograph Collecting. let-the-wookie-win.com. Retrieved on August 29, 2012. (backup link not available)
↑ Oldbury, Dave Louis (2011-08-27). My Bob Anderson Starwars Autograph. Star Wars Autograph Collecting. let-the-wookie-win.com. Retrieved on August 29, 2012. (backup link not available)