Little Darth Vader has to have open heart surgery

Los Angeles - It's tragic when children suffer from serious illness. The boy, 7, best known for playing the pint-sized Darth Vader in an advertisement that was shown during the 2011 Super Bowl, has to have open-heart surgery, officials have confirmed.

Max Page, is from Orange County and has been suffering from a deteriorating pulmonary valve, The Los Angeles Times, reports. His surgery at a specialist Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, is the eighth surgical operation for Max, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect as a toddler. Dr. Vaughn Starnes, has said that the surgery is anticipated and not something that has just come up. Max will have to have a new valve fitted because the pulmonary valve has not grown very well. The heart is struggling to empty out into the pulmonary arteries. Most people will remember Max for playing "Little Darth Vader" in a Volkswagen advert that went viral after it had aired during 2011 Super Bowl. He also starred in "The Young and The Restless" and works as a junior ambassador for the children's hospital. Buck and Jennifer Page, his parents, appeared on the "Today Show" where they discussed their son's upcoming surgical operation. The procedure is hoped to help Max enormously. His parents, Buck and Jennifer Page, appeared on the "Today Show" to talk about their son's upcoming surgery. Buck Page said the procedure would help Max "tremendously." Max made one small request for the day of his operation. He wants a Darth Vader outfit. He said that, "When I'm Darth, I feel strong.'"