Hollywood actor Peter Mayhew who starred as Chewbacca in the movie Star Wars has died at age 74, his family says in a statement released on Twitter last night.
Peter died peacefully at his Texas home on Tuesday 30th May 2019. He was surrounded by family and friends.
“Peter was the man behind the mask of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, episode 3 of the prequels and the New Trilogy, the statement says.
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
“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
“He fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
“But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more than a role in a film. The relationships that began then grew into the friends and family that he would love for decades to come.”
Peter Mayhem was first cast in the film Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger in an uncredited role.
But he then was cast in the role that would define his career — as the co-pilot and best friend of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in the original Star Wars film released in 1977.
He would go on to appear in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith.
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