Short answers, pulled from the story.
George Lucas hired concept artist Ralph McQuarrie during pre-production of the original Star Wars film in 1975. McQuarrie combined a full-face breathing mask with a samurai helmet to create Vader's iconic mask.
James Earl Jones voiced Darth Vader after George Lucas selected him over Orson Welles because Welles' voice was too recognizable. Jones remained uncredited in Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back but received credit in Return of the Jedi in 1983.
Anakin Skywalker is introduced as a nine-year-old slave living on Tatooine with his mother Shmi in the 1999 film The Phantom Menace. He departs the planet with Qui-Gon Jinn after winning his freedom in a podrace wager.
In 2003 the American Film Institute listed Darth Vader as the third greatest villain in cinema history on its 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains list behind Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates.
Bob Anderson a former Olympic fencer portrays Darth Vader during lightsaber fight scenes in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. David Prowse played the character's body while Anderson handled the swordplay.