In his four-year history of donning a Darth Vader helmet as part of the Southern California 501st Garrison, Andrew Page has never had a call of duty quite like standing next to filmmaker George Lucas on a football field for 2007 Rose Bowl.

"I was in a boxed-in area on the back of a golf cart and no one could see who was inside," Page describes. "They drove me out to the edge of the football field and started playing Darth Vader's signature breathing sound throughout the stadium. The crowd went nuts. They pulled back the tarp doorway and I stepped out. I escorted George Lucas and his kids onto the field and stood there shaking my fist and doing my Vader-isms for the crowd. Oddly enough the only other thing going through my head was not Star Wars related. I couldn't help think how my favorite NFL team lost on this very field in Super Bowl XXI."

A few days before the coin-toss event, Page found himself supervising the Rose Parade float decorating activities on a reality TV show. "I not only took part in the pre-game show for the Rose Bowl, I also was fortunate to portray Darth Vader at a television shoot for a show on E! Entertainment television, 'Girls next Door,'" Page says. "The fact that I was not allowed to speak when the girls kept asking me questions like 'Why are you so tall?' was difficult. So I just stayed in character and walked around the part of the float that the girls were building as if Vader was giving his final approval. I think I even patted one of them on the head."

"I also spent another day at the Rose Tournament VIP luncheon with two fellow 501st members," Page continues. "Our task was to march over to George's table and escort him to the stage for his speech. At one point I found myself standing on a stage alone with George -- the Emperor to my Darth Vader. One memorable moment was when the President of the Rose Tournament exited the stage shaking George's hand then turned to me for a hand shake. I just looked at him and staying in full character refused to extend my hand. George said, 'Well, aren't you going to shake his hand?' At which I simply looked away and took a step back. George then replied to the president, "Well, he is Darth Vader." The crowd shared a humorous chuckle."

It's moments like these where Page is extremely serious about not breaking character so fans can truly relish being in Darth Vader's presence. "My mannerisms really depend on if I am dressed as Darth Vader for the 501st or for an official Lucasfilm event," Page explains. "With an LFL Vader, I do not want to speak. There is a lot more non-verbal communication you have to do. And you do not sign autographs. The key to a good LFL Vader is to always stay in character. At that moment you are Darth Vader. That is a big challenge when a child wants a hug. But I still sneak the hugs in there. As a 501st Vader when a child asks for an autograph I sign it. And I do my best James Earl Jones impersonation using a deep voice. Kids don't care so much for perfection, as long as you get all of the Vader inflections down. Another key thing to consider for a perfect Vader portrayal is the walk. Vader doesn't march, he struts. And he is always walking as if he has to be somewhere important. I've been complimented on my 'cape play' as well. Some people say I make my cape move and perform well. Actor David Prowse himself once told a friend of mine about me, 'I can tell you he makes a good Vader, but Andrew is just too darn perky!' So one tip in costume is, don't be perky!"

During the week of parade training, Page practiced his various Vaderisms, along with fellow 501st member Mark Fordham who would be marching in the parade dressed as the other Darth Vader. Having two Sith Lords on the Pasadena high school football field where the 501st trained became a bit confusing until Page earned a new nickname.

"During that week a new nickname had been coined for me by The Los Angeles Times -- 'Back-up Vader' -- which shortly became 'Spare Vader' by most of the 501st and Lucasfilm staff," Page explains. "I enjoyed the nickname and feel that it helped people who couldn't remember my name. In the end, I was the only participant out of hundreds in costume that did not actually march in the parade. I spent the duration of the parade riding in a van about a block away fully dressed in Vader gear just in case something happened to the marching Vader -- Fordham, who is the current LCO of the 501st -- who did a fantastic job. We are almost identical in size including our size 14 shoes."

Even though Page was not marching in the parade, he still impressed young fans behind the scenes. "I was hanging out around the Lucasfilm trailer at about 3 a.m. on parade day wearing everything but the helmet when a small child came out of nowhere and hugged my leg," Page laughs. "It startled me at first but then the woman who was with this 5-year-old girl said, 'She just loves Darth Vader!'"

The endless stream of kids and adults who get giddy when they spot Darth Vader at events always seems to impress Page. "Darth Vader is by far the most famous and evil bad guy in history, yet people of all ages adore him," Page says. "I am very proud of all of my fellow costumers in the 501st who work so hard and volunteer their time to make children smile. I would have loved to meet the real Darth Vader when I was a kid."

Be sure to visit Southerncaliforniagarrison.com for a list of future appearances by Page and his garrison. To learn more about the 501st and its worldwide members, visit 501st.com.

Stay tuned to starwars.com for upcoming coverage on the 501st Legion and its members.