No other character in the Star Wars series is as iconic as Darth Vader. His black suit, booming voice, and tall stature make him an intimidating villain. But just how tall was Darth Vader?
According to Star Wars canon, Darth Vader stood at 6 foot 8 inches when wearing his full cybernetics and armor (suit). And before he put on the suit, Darth Vader (aka Anakin Skywalker) stood at 6 foot 2 inches.
The Height of Darth Vader: Suit On and Suit Off
- In accordance with the official Star Wars canon, Darth Vader’s height is recorded as 6 feet 8 inches;
- Prior to his transformation into Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker was measured at 6 feet 2 inches in stature.
The substantial alteration in Anakin’s height before and after donning the iconic suit is attributed to the intricate reconstruction of his physique. This transformation is particularly noticeable due to the comprehensive augmentation of his form.
In the midst of their legendary lightsaber duel, Obi-Wan emerges triumphant by severing both of Anakin’s lower limbs. Subsequently, Darth Sidious orchestrates Anakin’s revival through an intricate medical regimen, entailing the integration of diverse cybernetic components, most notably prosthetic legs.
Furthermore, the distinctive helmet that encompasses Vader’s head is not designed to sit seamlessly, characterized by its composition of an internal respirator-equipped headpiece, cybernetic interfaces, and other apparatus, encompassed by an external protective shell.
When these two intricacies are amalgamated, they provide a comprehensive rationale for the 6-inch variance between Anakin’s initial height and Darth Vader’s augmented stature.
The Weight of Darth Vader
- When fully clad in his armor, Darth Vader’s weight is documented at approximately 120 kilograms, equivalent to around 264 pounds (as attested in Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know);
- This notable figure offers insight into the physical presence of the iconic character.
However, assessing the weight of Anakin Skywalker prior to his transition into the Darth Vader persona presents a more intricate challenge. Although an official figure remains elusive, within the realm of Star Wars Legends, it is indicated that he carried a weight of 84 kilograms, approximately 185 pounds. This intriguing detail, while not canon, offers an alternative perspective on Anakin’s pre-Vader physique.
It is worth noting that this particular datum is likely rooted in a 2005 interview featuring Hayden Christensen, the actor portraying Darth Vader in the prequel trilogy. During this interview, Christensen reveals his preparation for the role involved a weight gain of 25 pounds, propelling him to a weight of 185 pounds. This anecdote not only provides context for the weight attributed to Anakin but also offers a glimpse into the dedication of the actor in embodying the character’s physicality.
Determining Darth Vader’s Age
At the climactic conclusion of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader valiantly sacrifices himself to shield Luke from the malevolent grip of Darth Sidious. This pivotal moment in the saga occurs when Darth Vader is recorded as 45 years old, underscoring the culmination of his transformative journey.
In stark divergence, the inception of his Darth Vader persona, coinciding with the initial donning of the ominous suit, transpires when he is a mere 22 years old. This intriguing contrast accentuates the abrupt shift into his dark path.
A profound perspective emerges when considering the time span between these two pivotal junctures. With 23 years encompassing his tenure as Darth Vader, his narrative unfolds across a complex timeline characterized by both inner turmoil and external consequences.
The Darth Vader Attire: Who Have Worn It?
Across the expansive tapestry of the Star Wars franchise, a diverse array of individuals has stepped into the iconic Darth Vader suit, each contributing their distinct essence to the role. Remarkably, only a handful of them have aligned precisely with the height attributed to Darth Vader.
In cases where actors fall shorter than the designated stature of Darth Vader, a combination of ingenious techniques comes into play. Employing elevated platform shoes alongside strategic camera angles effectively crafts the illusion that these performers match Darth Vader’s towering presence.
Contained below is a comprehensive assemblage encompassing every individual who has donned the mantle of Vader, spanning a spectrum of both height and performance. This inclusive list encapsulates not just actors but also the dedicated stuntmen who have infused the character with vitality, thus embodying the iconic suit in all its grandeur.
Original Trilogy:
- Portrayed by David Prowse, who stood at 6 feet 6 inches, in “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi.” (Note: Some sources mention his height as 6 feet 7 inches);
- Sebastian Shaw, standing at 6 feet 2 inches, portrayed Darth Vader in “Return of the Jedi” during the poignant unmasking scene and as the ethereal Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker;
- Bob Anderson, measuring 6 feet 1 inch, skillfully performed as the stuntman and swordmaster for Darth Vader in “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi”;
- C. Andrew Nelson, at a height of 6 feet 5 inches, played Darth Vader in multiple video games and had a minor appearance in a re-release of “The Empire Strikes Back”.
Prequel Trilogy:
- Hayden Christensen, standing at 6 feet, embodied Anakin Skywalker in “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” a pivotal role that included the momentous transition to Darth Vader’s iconic suit;
- Gene Bryant, who stood 6 feet 6 inches tall, portrayed Darth Vader in select scenes within “Revenge of the Sith,” although he remained uncredited.
Other Movies & Media:
- Spencer Wilding, towering at 6 feet 6 inches, undertook the role of Darth Vader in “Rogue One,” although many of his scenes were ultimately excluded from the final cut of the film;
- Daniel Naprous, measuring 6 feet 5 inches, also contributed to the portrayal of Darth Vader in “Rogue One”;
- Hayden Christensen, returning at a height of 6 feet, reprised his role as Darth Vader in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series;
- Tim O’Connell, who stood at 6 feet 4 inches, demonstrated his expertise as a swordmaster in the role of Darth Vader across 6 episodes of the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series;
- Dmitrious Bistrevsky, towering at 6 feet 7 inches, added his skills as a stuntman to the portrayal of Darth Vader in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series.
Distinguished Acknowledgments
Notably, James Earl Jones, the iconic voice behind Darth Vader, never physically donned the suit. However, his height, standing at 6 feet 2 inches, aligns with the range of the actors who did wear the suit.
Furthermore, in “Revenge of the Sith,” there’s a significant moment when Anakin Skywalker adopts the Darth Vader identity prior to donning the suit. During this sequence, Hayden Christensen predominantly takes on the role, yet there are two other individuals who potentially made appearances: Ben Cooke (6 feet 0 inches) and Christian Simpson (6 feet 2 inches).
While Hayden performed a majority of his own stunts, he also had a stunt double in Ben Cooke. Given this, it’s highly probable that Cooke played a role in filming the climactic lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin, now known as Darth Vader.
Christian Simpson served as the stand-in for Hayden Christensen, implying a slight possibility of his involvement in the scenes depicting Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader.
Height Criteria for Disney’s Darth Vader Character
Disney employs actors to portray Darth Vader across various locations, encompassing Disneyland in California, Disney World in Florida, international Disney parks like in Paris, and even aboard Disney cruise ships.
Given the diverse array of settings, there exists no standardized height prerequisite for the Darth Vader actor. Instead, each location has the autonomy to establish its own criterion.
For instance, a Reddit post from 2015 advertised a role demanding a height of 6 feet 3 ½ inches. This specificity likely stemmed from the necessity to accommodate an existing costume, as indicated by responses.
In general, Darth Vader is recognized as a commanding presence. The shortest actor to don the suit on-screen stood at 6 feet tall. Hence, it’s reasonable to assume that a height requirement of 6 feet or taller is probable for individuals aspiring to portray Darth Vader at any Disney venue.
Conclusion
Darth Vader emerges as a truly imposing figure. With a towering height of 6 feet 8 inches and a weight exceeding 250 pounds encased in his formidable space suit/armor, he exudes a profoundly menacing presence.
Although not all the actors or stunt performers match this considerable stature, clever techniques like platform shoes, stilts, and camera illusions were employed to ensure uniformity in appearance. These artful methods prevented the shorter Darth Vaders from diluting the character’s fear-inducing impact.
While the identity of the future wearer(s) of the Darth Vader suit remains uncertain, it’s a reasonable assumption that they will measure up to the height of their predecessors, all of whom stood at least 6 feet tall. Yet, the officially recognized height of Vader will continue to stand at an imposing 6 feet 8 inches.