Peter Mayhew, the towering actor who wore a colossal, textured costume to offer life to the rugged-and-beloved character of Chewbacca in the original “Star Wars” trilogy and two different movies, has passed on, his family said Thursday.
Mayhew died at his home in north Texas on Tuesday, as indicated by a family proclamation. He was 74. No reason was given.
As Chewbacca, referred to his companions as Chewie, the 7-foot-3 Mayhew was a wild warrior with a delicate heart, steadfast sidekick to Harrison Ford’s Han Solo, and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon.
Mayhew proceeded to show up as the Wookiee in the 2005 prequel “Revenge of the Sith” and shared the part in 2015′s “The Force Awakens” with on-screen character Joonas Suotamo, who assumed control over the role in consequent movies.
“Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character,” Ford said in a statement Thursday. “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… My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children. Rest easy, my dear friend.”
Mayhew characterized the extraordinarily notable Wookiee and turned into a world-famous actor for the vast majority of his life without talking a word or notwithstanding making a sound — Chewbacca’s well known roar was the creation of sound designers.
“He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films,” the family statement said. “But, to him, the ‘Star Wars’ family meant so much more to him than a role in a film.”
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker close by Mayhew, composed on Twitter that 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.”
Born and raised in England, Mayhew had showed up in only one film and was filling in as a clinic deliberate in London when George Lucas, who shot the first film in England, discovered him and cast him in 1977′s “Star Wars.”
Mayhew is the third major member of the original cast to die in recent years. Fisher and R2-D2 actor Kenny Baker passed on in 2016.
Mayhew’s family said he was dynamic with different not-for-profit groups and built up the Peter Mayhew Foundation, which is committed to alleviating disease, pain, suffering and the financial toll from traumatic events. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, friends and fans donate to the foundation.
Mayhew is made due by his wife, Angie, and three kids. A private service will be held June 29, trailed by a public memorial in early December at a Los Angeles “Star Wars” convention.