
Acting
Bob Anderson
1922 · Gosport, Hampshire, England, UK
19 films
Bio
Robert James Gilbert Anderson, known as Bob Anderson (September 15, 1922 – January 1, 2012), was the swordmaster 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 also played Rebel Officer Trey Callum during the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. Anderson later did swordfighting choreography and training for films such films as the The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with actor Christopher Lee) and the James Bond film Die Another Day (with stunt performer Jim Dowdall).
Filmography

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Stunt Coordinator

The Empire Strikes Back
Imperial Officer (uncredited)

A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Grip

Return of the Jedi
Stunts

The Three Musketeers
King's Fencing Instructor (uncredited)

The Guns of Navarone
Stunts

Some Girls Do
Senior Aerodynamics Engineer (uncredited)

Candleshoe
Stunt Coordinator

SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back
Self

The Fellowship of the Ring: Cameras in Middle-earth
Self (archive)

The Making of 'The Fellowship of the Ring'
Self

Passage to Middle-Earth: The Making of 'The Lord of the Rings'
Self, swordmaster