Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew has died aged 74 - Noise11.com
Chewbacca and Hans Solo

Chewbacca and Hans Solo

Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew has died aged 74

by Paul Cashmere on May 3, 2019

in News

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.

Follow Noise11 on Twitter for news as it happens

For news as it happens follow Noise11 on Facebook

Noise11.com

Listen to the Noise11 Music News channel now at iHeartRadio

Tagged as: , , , , ,

Related Posts

Marianne Faithfull photo by Ros OGorman, Noise11, Photo
Music Icon Marianne Faithfull Dies At Age 78

Music icon Marianne Faithfull has passed away at age 78.

14 hours ago
Bruce Howe of Fraternity from Fraternity website
Bruce Howe of Fraternity Dies At Age 77

Bruce Howe, the bass player for Fraternity, has died at the age of 77. Fraternity was a pioneering Aussie rock band with singers at various stages including Bon Scott (before AC/DC), Jimmy Barnes (before Cold Chisel) and Swanee.

1 day ago
Billy Ocean by Bron Robinson
Billy Ocean Will Return To Australia in September

Billy Ocean is coming back to Australia for another tour in September 2025, nearly 50 years since his first hit ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’.

1 day ago
Glen Matlock Blondie Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols Are Heading To The USA

Sex Pistols are planning a US tour with Frank Carter.

2 days ago
Paul McCartney Venus and Mars
Paul McCartney and Wings Classic ‘Venus and Mars’ To Get 50th Anniversary Treatment

‘Venus and Mars’, the fourth Paul McCartney Wings album, will be reissued in March as a half-speed master.

2 days ago
Rose Tattoo Angry Anderson and Mark Evans. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Rose Tattoo Cover Stevie Wright’s ‘Hard Road’ With First New Music in 17 Years

Rose Tattoo will release a cover of Stevie Wright’s ‘Hard Road’ in February marking the first new music for the band since 2008.

2 days ago
The Stranglers (supplied SBM)
The Stranglers Choose Merryn Jean To Open Australian Tour Dates

Australian singer songwriter Merryn Jean will open for The Stranglers on their upcoming Australian tour.

3 days ago