Peter Mayhew, the actor best known for playing the character Chewbacca in the “Star Wars” movie series, died on Tuesday, his family announced on his Twitter page. He was 74 years old.
Mayhew’s cause of death is unclear at this time.
“The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home,” the tweet posted on Thursday said.
“He fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more in Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the family said, adding that Mayhew served as a consultant for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” in order to “teach his successor.”
“He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films from his knock kneed running, firing his bowcaster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth,” the statement said. “But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more to him than a role in a film.”
A native of London, the 7-foot-3 Mayhew played Chewbacca, sidekick to Han Solo, in the original Star Wars trilogy. He resumed the role in two more installments, Revenge of the Sith in 2005 and The Force Awakens in 2015.
Mayhew used his fame in support of several nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping veterans and families and children in need. His Peter Mayhew Foundation was dedicated to “the alleviation of pain, disease and suffering,” by supporting other charitable organizations.
Tweets from co-stars have poured in since his passing.
Mark Hamill:
“He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I’m grateful for the memories we shared & I’m a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew#Heartbroken”
Harrison Ford:
“Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character. These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience.”
George Lucas:
“Peter was a wonderful man. He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature — and I learned to always let him win. He was a good friend, and I’m saddened by his passing.”
