Member-only story
My Neighbor Was Darth Vader
In 1987, I lived near Melrose & La Brea just south of Hollywood. My neighbor was a 30ish guy named Chris with greasy black hair and a budding beer paunch. He lived with another guy in a small one-bedroom cottage next door. We made small talk while passing each other in our respective driveways. One day, I noticed Chris walking home in a heavy black costume and cape with shiny black boots. He was carrying a Darth Vader mask in one hand and a plastic light saber in the other.
“What’s up,” I asked.
“Living the dream,” he said.
“What’s with the Darth Vader getup?”
“Just got off work.”
“What kind of work you do?”
“I’m an actor,” he said.
“Cool.”
He entered his home without another word. I figured he was doing some magazine work, maybe a commercial or promo spot. I knew he didn’t have a car so he must have walked from the bus stop a few blocks away.
Over the next few months, I saw Chris in the Vader costume on several occasions. It struck me as odd. I couldn’t imagine any business having a long term need for a Darth Vader mascot. If it were a George Lucas production, Chris surely would be making enough money to buy a car. When his costume started looking haggard, I guessed he wasn’t working for…