‘Star Wars’ actors pay tribute to Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew
As word spread Thursday of the passing of Peter Mayhew, friends, fans and his co-stars from the Star Wars films all paid tribute to the “gentle giant” who became an icon to millions.
Mayhew passed late Tuesday at his home in north Texas, and his family announced the passing on Thursday, which triggered a flood of condolences and tributes from across the world. Responses from those who knew him best are included below.
A family representative told ABC News that the actor died of a heart attack.
The Hollywood Reporter has more on Mayhew’s career.
The London native played Chewbacca in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge of the Sith (2005) and The Force Awakens (2015).
Mayhew had done some minor acting — he played a minotaur in the Ray Harryhausen fantasy Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) — and was working as a hospital orderly when he tried out for the part of Chewbacca. He got the role based on his physique, as writer-director George Lucas was in desperate need of someone who would be able to play taller than Darth Vader. (In his prime, Mayhew stood 7-foot-3.)
After wrapping the first Star Wars, he went back to work as an orderly and did not leave the job for good until the release of Return of the Jedi, after which he made a living off of Chewbacca, becoming a favorite on the fan convention circuit.
While Mayhew did not provide the voice of the 200-year-old Wookiee (that was created by sound designer Ben Burtt), many credit the body language and expressiveness of the eyes the actor brought to the role in making Chewbacca a beloved character. It was a part that Mayhew would take on his whole life and well beyond the movies, reprising the role for appearances on the Donny and Marie Show and The Muppet Show and, more recently, Glee.
The official Star Wars Twitter account noted his passing.
Mark Hamill reacted to Mayhew’s passing this way.
Hamill also spoke to CBS about Mayhew.
Harrison Ford called Mayhew a man of “great dignity and noble character.”
Ford’s statement earned this reaction from Mayhew’s family, via his Twitter account.
George Lucas released this statement.
Billy Dee Williams posted his thoughts on Twitter as well. “I will miss you, my dear friend,” he said.
Even the Emperor himself, Ian McDiarmid, posted a rare tweet to remember him.
Joonas Suotamo, who stepped in to the role of Chewbacca for the newer Star Wars films after Mayhew was physically unable to continue in the role, called him “infinitely kind, honest, gracious.”
Warwick Davis, who joined the Star Wars cast for 1983’s Return of the Jedi as Wicket the Ewok, posted this on Twitter.
Davis also appeared on the British morning show “This Morning” to discuss his passing.
Other actors outside of the saga also shared their memories.
Nightline recognized Mayhew on their Thursday evening broadcast.
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