Peter Mayhew, Star Wars actor who played Chewbacca, has died at 74

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. pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) May 2, 2019

Mayhew was working as a hospital orderly in 1976 when an American director named George Lucas came to London looking to cast the role of Chewbacca, a 7-foot-tall hairy mashup of the Lucas family dog and Planet of the Apes, in his upcoming space fantasy film. (Mayhew had previously played an uncredited role as a monster in a Sinbad movie). In a story he would relate repeatedly, Mayhew had only to stand up like a gentlemen to greet him before Lucas gave him the part. 

Over the course of the original Star Wars trilogy, Mayhew’s quirky movement — including what his family affectionally called his “knock-kneed running” — made Chewie come alive for millions. He reprised the role, briefly, in 2005’s Revenge of the Sith. By the time The Force Awakens was announced, Mayhew was in a wheelchair in need of a knee operation — but he was determined to play Chewie one more time. 

“The Wookiee will roar again,” Mayhew told fans at the 2013 Star Wars Celebration in Essen, Germany, a crutch raised defiantly in the air. 

Thanks in part to donations from fans, Mayhew had the operation. He was standing in the famous Wookiee suit when Harrison Ford uttered the soon-to-be-immortal line, “Chewie, we’re home.”

Mayhew was for years the most warm-hearted and generous soul to Star Wars fans at conventions, embracing his role in our hearts with as big of a hug as you’d expect. I’ve personally asked him, and heard others ask, the same questions many times over. He never replied with anything less than a generous full-length answer. And he was a proud supporter of the stormtroopers-for-charity organization, The 501st Legion. 

Mark Hamill was the first fellow Star Wars actor to post his condolences. Mayhew “drew great strength from the energy of the family, friends and fans he knew and loved” as he continued to “soldier on” in later years, Hamill wrote. 

Harrison Ford released an offline statement shortly after. 

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And of course, fans the world over took to Twitter to share their sorrow at the news. “Peter Mayhew,” “Chewbacca,” and “Chewie” dominated the trending terms, with more than 100,000 tweets just in the half-hour following the announcement. 

Even though Chewbacca never got that medal he deserved, the Star Wars movies wouldn’t have been the same without him – Star Wars Day on Saturday should be dedicated to the memory of Peter Mayhew, who made us all fall in love with a Wookie – May The Force be with him. #RIP
😢💔🙏 pic.twitter.com/H4bLlSHiuD

— Phillydude (@Fairwinds10) May 2, 2019

Peter Mayhew’s thoughtful mannerisms and soulful eyes transformed a “big, walking carpet” into Star Wars’ most huggable character. He’s one of the reasons the saga continues to endure after 42 years. Thank you, and godspeed, mighty Chewbacca. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eOTMY5oQbk

— Justin Bolger (@TheApexFan) May 2, 2019

Coming on the heels of Carrie Fisher’s death in late 2016, the news was more than many fans’ hearts could bear.

Chewbacca, of course, lives on. In The Last Jedi and the upcoming Rise of Skywalker, he is played by Finnish basketball star Joonas Viljami Suotamo — who worked closely with Mayhew on The Force Awakens to mimic his style, right down to the famous furry head-tilt. 

Star Wars was so lucky to find a worthy successor in Joonas Suotamo, who I think is absolutely wonderful in the role. But Suotamo always took pains to emphasize whom he’d learned from, and how kind Mayhew had been as a mentor.

— Jason Fry (@jasoncfry) May 2, 2019

In lieu of gifts and flowers, fans are being asked to make donations to the Peter Mayhew Foundation. 

Rest in peace, Peter. The Force of fandom will be with you, always. 

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