(Left to Right) Chewbecca, played by Peter Mayhem, Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill and Han Solo, portrayed by Harrison Ford in a scene from Star Wars: A New HopeLucas Film
Advertisement
Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca in the sci-fi film series Star Wars, passed away on April 30 at the age of 74.
Co-stars Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, who played Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, shared their thoughts on their time Mayhew on the sets of Star Wars.
Before Star Wars, Mayhew played a minotaur in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.
Peter Mayhew, the actor that plays the giant furry Wookie warrior called Chewbacca in Star Wars, passed away at the age of 74 on April 30.
Co-stars Harrison Ford, who flew the Millenium Falcon alongside Chewbacca as Han Solo, and Mark Hamill, known as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga, issued statements to express their loss.
Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More
Ford told the Hollywood Reporter, “We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. Rest easy, my friend.”
Advertisement
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. Harrison Ford told the Hollywood Reporter
Ford and Mayhew worked together for the first time on the sets of Star Wars: A New Hope continuing that partnership till Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. After which, Mayhew continued on as a consultant on the sets due to physical problems from gigantism.
Hamill, who also met Mayhew on Star Wars: A New Hope, shared his thoughts on Twitter saying, “He was the gentlest of giants. A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile and a loyal friend who I loved dearly.”
He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal frien… https://t.co/bMcfHn4S1q
Here are five things you may not know about Peter Haymen:
Advertisement
{{}}
Chewbacca’s won a lifetime achievement award
Mayhew’s height helped him land the role of Chewbacca
Advertisement
Mayhew kept his day job while shooting for Star Wars
Mayhem’s big feet are what kick started his career
Advertisement
The guy who plays Darth Vader could have been Chewbacca
NewsletterSIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Sign up for a weekly brief collating many news items into one untangled thought delivered straight to your mailbox.