Actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in every Star Wars movie from the 1977 original to The Force Awakens in 2015 has died at the age of 74.
In Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Peter was credited as Chewbacca consultant. Joonas Suotamo has now taken over the role.
Mayhew was working as an orderly in King’s College Hospital in London when George Lucas began his search for someone tall to play Chewbacca. Peter was seven foot three inches tall. Lucas’ only requirement was that he had to be able to stand up.
Being Chewbacca has given Peter the ticket to get roles with Donny & Marie, The Muppet Show, Kenny Everett’s TV show and Glee.
Peter died from a heart attack at his home in Boyd, Texas.
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