Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca has died aged 74.
He passed away at his home in Texas on 30 April with his family by his side, a statement said.
“The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away.
“He left us on the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his Texas home. He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame,” his family said.
Mayhew’s family did not say what the cause of his death was.
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
Mark Hamill who plays Luke Skywalker was one of the first to pay tribute to the late actor on Twitter.
“He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I’m grateful for the memories we shared & I’m a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete,” he wrote.
He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken @TheWookieeRoars pic.twitter.com/8xbq9HEWF2
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) May 2, 2019
Star Wars creator George Lucas had wanted a tall actor to play Chewbacca – but initially considered 6ft 6in (1.98m) tall David Prowse for the role.
However Prowse instead wanted to play Darth Vader so Lucas then turned to Mayhew, who at 7ft 2in (2.18m) was chosen purely for his height. His face was never seen in the all the Star Wars films he played in.
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