A Tribute to Peter Mayhew (1944-2019)

The Force will forever live on with Peter Mayhew.

The legendary Star Wars actor, who originated the role of the Wookie Chewbacca, passed away on April 30 at the age of 74 in his home of Boyd, Texas.

Born in Surrey, England on May 19, 1944, Mayhew reached a peak height of 7’3″. In 1976, Mayhew made his film debut as the Minotaur in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger after producers saw a newspaper article where Mayhew was seen as a tall man with large feet.

Shortly after, George Lucas cast Mayhew in the iconic role of Chewbacca, the partner-in-crime of mercenary Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford. During this time, Mayhew wasn’t intending to be an actor, but was working as an orderly at a hospital when Lucas saw him. Impressed with his height, Lucas hired Mayhew in the iconic role.

Mayhew would play the…

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