Peter Mayhew, the actor who famously played Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, died on Tuesday aged 74.
His family announced the news on Twitter, saying he died in his North Texas home surrounded by loved ones.
Everyone’s favourite Wookie, Peter Mayhew, has died surrounded by family in his North Texas home. He was aged 74.
“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,” the Twitter statement read.
Following his role in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith, Mayhew “fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more in Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” his family wrote.
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 (@TheWookieeRoars) May 2, 2019
“He put his heart and soul into the role … The relationships that began then grew into the friends and family he would love for decades to come.”
