Last night, the Star Wars fandom was shaken by the news that original Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew had passed away at the age of 74.
The announcement came from Mayhew’s official Twitter account, which also shared a statement from the star’s family:
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 Foundation (@TheWookieeRoars) May 2, 2019
Mayhew was working as an orderly in a London hospital when he was discovered by George Lucas. The director cast him to play the beloved Wookiee in 1977’s A New Hope because of his towering stature (at peak height, Mayhew was 7 feet and 3 inches). In the decades since, the actor portrayed Chewie for all of his live-action appearances up to and including 2015’s The Force Awakens, and later served as a credited “Chewbacca consultant” on The Last Jedi when Joonas Suotamo took over.
In recognition of Mayhew’s contributions to the series, fans have been taking to Twitter to share their tributes:
Chewbacca has been a huge part of ENTIRE life. I was 1 when my parents took me to see Star Wars in 1977. Like most kids, we worshipped Chewie. When you get older and realize there’s a person under that fur, and that that person was as great as the Wookiee he played….
— Steve Dunk Ⓥ (@SteveDunk5) May 2, 2019
…it only makes you love that character even more. Rest well Peter, may the Force be with you. #PeterMayhew #StarWars @TheWookieeRoars pic.twitter.com/I2eq3Kzfl8
— Steve Dunk Ⓥ (@SteveDunk5) May 2, 2019
Rest In Peace Peter Mayhew. An ever-present fixture of the #StarWars family, he will be remembered for his gracious, kind attitude toward fans, uplifting life story and unforgettable performance as Chewbacca. No one’s ever really gone. #MayTheForceBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/Nv2TCl52Jn
— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) May 2, 2019
A short Chewbacca story: A few years ago, I got to visit Pinewood Studios, where they shoot Star Wars. In the Warbrobe Department, there was a small room where they kept the Chewie costumes. When I saw him, I couldn’t help myself. Something came over me.
— Noah Segan (@kidblue) May 2, 2019
I ran up to Chewie and hugged the costume. The handful of other people on the tour did the same, one by one. No one mentioned it. When we left the room, our guide said, “Everyone has the same reaction when they see him. They all hug him. We don’t even try to stop it anymore.”
— Noah Segan (@kidblue) May 2, 2019
Peter Mayhew was so genuine in his love for Star Wars and the character he brought to life. Chewbacca immediately felt like a kind, warm, dear friend on screen, and that was all Peter.
— heath (@heathdwilliams) May 2, 2019
When you watch that behind the scenes clip for The Force Awakens and see him climb into that cockpit again and do the Wookiee roar….just perfect and joyous. What a gift he was, and what a loss this is.
— heath (@heathdwilliams) May 2, 2019
Chewbacca will always be with us, of course. So Peter will be, too. Godspeed, sir. pic.twitter.com/jrtpZjWdN0
— heath (@heathdwilliams) May 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/StarWarsDH/status/1124083179596517378
So sad to hear the passing of the mighty Chewbacca himself Peter Mayhew. Under the mask of Chewbacca he brought to life the 7 foot tall Wookiee leaving a mark on all of our hearts. Happy to have had the chance to meet you and may the force be with you ❤️#petermayhew @starwars pic.twitter.com/eSmxRH1OWw
— Brandon Wynn (@Wynnb15) May 2, 2019
R.I.P Peter Mayhew, Thank You. #Chewbacca pic.twitter.com/s4wApWXyUS
— Mitchell (@MitchellsIssues) May 2, 2019
R.I.P. Chewbacca – May the Force be with you always pic.twitter.com/WnopD894br
— Little Mogwai Jedi (@starjedi007) May 2, 2019
😔😞😢 The gentle, loving spirit of Peter Mayhew is why #Chewbacca is every kid’s trusted friend. RIP pic.twitter.com/SYvcBav5ig
— David W. Collins (@DavidWCollins) May 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/SirDarthUno/status/1124084166516195329
Since the news first broke of Mayhew’s passing, we’ve also seen various statements from those who worked with the man over the years. Harrison Ford, for instance, described his co-star as “a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character.” Mark Hamill, meanwhile, tweeted that Mayhew was “the gentlest of giants” and a “big man with an even bigger heart.”
Disney CEO Bob Iger echoed these sentiments when he described the star as “a gentle giant playing a gentle giant.” Lusasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, on the other hand, observed that Mayhew’s “iconic portrayal of the loyal, lovable Chewbacca has been absolutely integral to the character’s success, and to the Star Wars saga itself.”
Mayhew died of a heart attack on April 30th at his home in North Texas. There will be a private memorial service on June 29th and later this year, Star Wars fans will be able to attend an event in his honor at EmpireConLA.