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Peter Mayhew

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For other people named Peter Mayhew, seePeter Mayhew (disambiguation).

Peter Mayhew
Mayhew at the 2015Florida Supercon
Born
Peter William Mayhew

(1944-05-19)19 May 1944
Barnes,Surrey,England
Died30 April 2019(2019-04-30)(aged 74)
Boyd, Texas,US
Resting placeAzleland Memorial Park and
MausoleumReno, Texas,US
NationalityUnited Kingdom
United States
OccupationActor
Years active1976–2016
Known forPlayingChewbaccain the
Star Warsfranchise
Height7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)[1]
Spouse
Mary Cigainero
​
(m.1999)​

Peter William Mayhew[2](19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019) was a British actor. He was best known for portrayingChewbaccain theStar Warsfilm series.He played the character in all of his live-action appearances from the1977 originalto 2015'sThe Force Awakensbefore his retirement from the role.

Early life

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Peter Mayhew was born on 19 May 1944, inBarnes,Surrey.At the age of 8, he was diagnosed withgigantism.[3]Mayhew also had a genetic tissue disorder calledMarfan syndrome.[4][5]His peak height was 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).[6]

Career

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Early work

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Mayhew gained his first acting job when the producers ofSinbad and the Eye of the Tiger(1977) discovered him from a photograph in a newspaper article about men with large feet, and cast him in the role of the Minoton.[7][8]

Star Wars

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When casting the originalStar Wars(1977), directorGeorge Lucasneeded a tall actor who could fit the role of the hairy alien Chewbacca. He originally had in mind 6-foot-6-inch (1.98 m) bodybuilderDavid Prowse,but Prowse chose to playDarth Vader.This led Lucas to cast Mayhew, who was working as ahealthcare assistantin the A & E department at theMayday University Hospital,Thornton Heath, Croydon, Surrey.[9]He became aware of a casting call forStar Warswhich was filming atElstree Studiosin Hertfordshire.[10]The 7-foot-3-inch (2.21 m) tall actor was immediately cast as Chewbacca after he stood up to greet Lucas.[10][11]Mayhew continued working as an orderly, at Mayday Hospital (nowCroydon University Hospital), in between filming the originalStar Warstrilogy.[12]

Mayhew modelled his performance of Chewbacca after researching the behaviour of bears, monkeys and gorillas he saw atLondon Zoo.[13]Lucas said Mayhew was "the closest any human being could be to aWookiee:big heart, gentle nature and I learnt to always let him win ".[13]The character did not have any lines, the sounds he made being derived from sound recordings of animal noises.[14]

Mayhew at the 2008Big Apple Consitting in front of an image of Chewbacca

Mayhew played Chewbacca in fiveStar Warsfilms: theoriginal trilogy(Star Wars,The Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi),Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the SithandStar Wars: The Force Awakens.[15]He played the role in the 1978 television filmStar Wars Holiday Specialand in a 1980 appearance onThe Muppet Show.He also recorded dialogue for theStar Wars: The Clone WarsSeason 3finale episode "Wookiee Hunt".[16]

Mayhew played the role in commercials and hospital appearances for sick children, and made numerous appearances as Chewbacca outside theStar Warsfilms. Mayhew, appearing as Chewbacca, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at theMTV Film Awards 1997.[17]

He also made other media appearances outside of playing Chewbacca. He appeared onNBC'sIdentity,where his identity was based on his role as Chewbacca and was a frequent guest in the early days ofSlice of SciFi.[18]

While Mayhew portrayed Chewbacca inStar Wars: The Force Awakens,he was not inStar Wars: The Last Jedibut was listed in the credits as "Chewbacca Consultant".[19]Mayhew retired from playing Chewbacca due to health issues.Joonas Suotamoshared the portrayal of Chewbacca with Mayhew inStar Wars: The Force Awakens,and then completely replaced him in subsequentStar Warsfilms.[20][21]

Other work

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OutsideStar Wars,Mayhew appeared in the 1978 horror filmTerror,directed byNorman J. Warren.[22][23]In the English version ofDragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy,he provided the voice for Susha.[24]He also appeared inYesterday Was a Lie.[25]

Books

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Mayhew wrote two books for younger audiences:Growing Up Giant,[26]which explains that being different is a strength instead of a weakness, and the anti-bullying book for childrenMy Favorite Giant.[27]

Personal life and death

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Mayhew moved to Wheathead Lane, Keighley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1987.[2][28]He invested in and worked at a timber yard just over the City of Bradford border in South Craven, North Yorkshire.[2][29]He became a supporter ofKeighley Rugby Union Football Club.[2][28]

Mayhew married Mary Angelique "Angie" Luker (née Cigainero), a native of Texas, in 1999.[30][2]The two lived in Boyd, Texas, US where he had moved to in 2000.[2][29]Peter was the stepfather to Mary's three children.[31][32][33]It was reported that his wife would head his namesake charity, the Peter Mayhew Foundation.

Mayhew became anaturalisedcitizen of the United States in 2005 at a ceremony in Arlington, Texas.[34][35]In an interview with theFort Worth Star-Telegram,he joked that he did not get a medal at this ceremony either, a reference to the closing scene inStar Warsduring whichLuke SkywalkerandHan Sologet medals, but Chewbacca does not. Mayhew noted in anMTVinterview that although Chewbacca does not get a medal in the film, he does have the last line of dialogue, when he roars.[36]

Mayhew underwent double knee replacement surgery in 2013,[37]having been a full-time wheelchair user for the previous two years and still largely reliant on it at the time of filmingThe Force Awakens.[38]In July 2018, Mayhew announced viaTwitterthat he had successfully undergone unspecified spinal surgery to improve his mobility, and was recovering.[39][2]

Mayhew died of a heart attack on 30 April 2019, at his home in Boyd, Texas, at age 74.[40]He was buried in Reno, Parker County, Texas, in Azleland Memorial Park and Mausoleum.[41]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1977 Star Wars Chewbacca [15]
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger Minoton Uncredited [7]
1978 Terror The Mechanic [23]
1980 The Empire Strikes Back Chewbacca [15]
1982 Return of the Ewok Video [42]
1983 Return of the Jedi [15]
1987 Star Tours Short; uncredited [43]
2004 Comic Book: The Movie Himself [44]
2005 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Chewbacca [15]
2008 Yesterday Was a Lie Dead Man [25]
2009 Fanboys Himself Uncredited
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Chewbacca Shared role withJoonas Suotamoand final film role [2]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1977 Donny & Marie Chewbacca Guest [45]
1978 Star Wars Holiday Special TV special [46]
1979 Hazell Episode "Hazell and the Big Sleep" [citation needed]
1980 The Muppet Show Chewbacca Episode:The Stars of Star Wars [47]
1981 Dark Towers The Tall Knight [23]
1985 The Kenny Everett Television Show Various Episode #3.3 [48]
2004 Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy Susha (Gettō) Voice; English dub; TV special [24]
2011 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Chewbacca Episode:Wookiee Hunt;Special Thanks [49]
Glee Episode:Extraordinary Merry Christmas
2012 Breaking In Himself Episode:Episode XIII
2015 Comic Book Men Himself Episode:Wookiee Fever

See also

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References

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  1. ^Liptak, Andrew (2 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew, the actor who brought Chewbacca to life, has died".The Verge.Retrieved30 June2019.
  2. ^abcdefghHayward, Anthony (3 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew obituary".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved6 May2019.
  3. ^"Remembering Peter".Peter Mayhew Foundation.Retrieved1 June2021.
  4. ^Quinn, Karl (12 April 2014)."Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew in Melbourne for Supernova fan convention".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved12 April2014.
  5. ^Vankin, Jonathan (20 January 2015)."'Star Wars' actor, Peter 'Chewbacca' Mayhew, 70, stricken with pneumonia—sends fans message from hospital ".Inquisitr.Retrieved21 December2015.
  6. ^"Peter Mayhew".PeterMayhew.Archived fromthe originalon 10 May 2008.
  7. ^abClark, Mark (2015).Star Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies.Applause Theatre & Cinema Books.ISBN978-1-48036-018-1.
  8. ^Hutchinson, Sean (19 May 2015)."15 Chewbacca Facts in Honour of Peter Mayhew's Birthday".Mental Floss.Retrieved21 December2015.
  9. ^Weiss, Josh (2 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew, original Chewbacca actor in Star Wars, passes away at 74".SYFY Wire.Retrieved3 May2019.
  10. ^ab"Star Warsactor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, dies at age 74 ".ABC News Radio.2 May 2019.Retrieved4 May2019.
  11. ^Hayward, Anthony (3 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew obituary".The Guardian.Retrieved4 May2019.
  12. ^"Tributes to Star Wars Chewbacca actor who worked at Mayday Hospital in Croydon".3 May 2019.
  13. ^ab"Peter Mayhew obituary".The Times.London. 3 May 2019.Retrieved4 May2019.(subscription required)
  14. ^Fortin, Jacey (2 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew, Actor Behind Chewbacca's Mask inStar Wars,Dies at 74 ".The New York Times.Retrieved4 May2019.
  15. ^abcdeChild, Ben (8 April 2014)."Original Chewbacca actor set to return in Star Wars: Episode VII".The Guardian.Retrieved22 May2016.
  16. ^Itzkoff, David (17 February 2011)."Remaking Wookiee: Chewbacca Becomes a Character on 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'".The New York Times.Retrieved31 May2011.
  17. ^Chilton, Martin (13 December 2011)."Chewbacca film on Hollywood Black List".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved3 May2019.
  18. ^Brooks, Summer (26 October 2005)."Slice of SciFi #30: Interview with Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca, 'Star Wars')".Slice of SciFi.Retrieved3 May2019.
  19. ^"Star Wars: The Last Jedi—full credits".IMDb.Retrieved6 January2018.
  20. ^Hawkes, Rebecca (6 January 2016)."The 'secret' Chewbacca: meet the 6'11" basketball star who shared the role with Peter Mayhew in Star Wars: The Force Awakens ".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved11 June2017.
  21. ^Orange, B. Alan (6 January 2016)."Meet The New Chewbacca Actor in Star Wars: The Force Awakens".MovieWeb.Retrieved4 October2018.
  22. ^Wood, Chris (27 February 2010)."Terror (1978)".British Horror Films.Retrieved3 May2019.
  23. ^abcBoucher, Geoff; Petski, Denise; Pedersen, Erik (2 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew Dies: 'Star Wars' Chewbacca Actor Was 74".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved3 May2019.
  24. ^abWalter, Joseph (22 July 2018)."20 Crazy Things Only True Fans Know About Dragon Ball GT".ScreenRant.Retrieved3 May2019.
  25. ^abChilton, Martin (4 May 2011)."Ewoks, sex dolls and comedy: what happened to the Star Wars cast".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved11 June2017.
  26. ^Mayhew, Peter; Mayhew, Angie (19 November 2013).My Favorite Giant.One Mans Posse Production.ISBN978-1-62098-826-8.
  27. ^Goldman, Carrie (22 April 2011)."My Favorite Giant by Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)".ChicagoNow.Archivedfrom the original on 30 June 2017.Retrieved4 October2018.
  28. ^ab"Peter Mayhew, the former Keighley man who played Chewbacca in Star Wars, has died".Bradford Telegraph and Argus.3 May 2019.Retrieved31 August2023.
  29. ^ab"Stars Wars gentle giant is back".Bradford Telegraph and Argus.20 May 2005.Retrieved31 August2023.
  30. ^Bushby, Helen (3 May 2019)."How Peter Mayhew became Chewbacca".BBC.
  31. ^"Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew's Wife Angelique Mayhew".DailyEntertainmentNews.2 May 2019.Retrieved6 May2019.
  32. ^Paul, Kari; Convery, Stephanie (2 May 2019)."Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew dies aged 74".The Guardian.
  33. ^Malone, Megan (8 February 2012)."Chewbacca Making Dallas-Area Appearances".nbcdfw.KXAS-TV.Retrieved4 October2018.
  34. ^"Star Wars actor who played Chewbacca to become American citizen".The Canadian Press.12 October 2005. p. 16.
  35. ^"Chewbacca actor to become an American".Today.14 October 2016.Retrieved4 October2018.
  36. ^"'Star Wars' actor, others pledge their allegiance ".Fort Worth Star-Telegram.18 October 2005. p. B2.
  37. ^"Wookie knee repair: 'Star Wars' actor Peter Mayhew hopes to walk again after Fort Worth surgery".The Dallas Morning News.11 September 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 6 April 2014.Retrieved4 October2018.
  38. ^Breznican, Anthony (2 May 2019)."Peter Mayhew remembered: How he said goodbye to playing Chewbacca".Entertainment Weekly.Retrieved5 May2019.
  39. ^Parker, Ryan (24 July 2018)."'Star Wars': Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Undergoes Spinal Surgery ".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved4 October2018.
  40. ^Zarrell, Matt; Rothman, Michael (2 May 2019)."'Star Wars' actor Peter Mayhew dies at the age of 74, family says ".ABC News.Retrieved2 May2019.
  41. ^https:// azlefuneralhome /obituary/Peter-Mayhew-1[bare URL]
  42. ^"Return of the Ewok (1982)".Rotten Tomatoes.Retrieved3 May2019.
  43. ^Thomas, Bob (25 May 1987)."Star Warscelebrates 10th anniversary today ".The Palm Beach Post.pp. 4E.Retrieved3 May2019– via Newspapers.
  44. ^Holmes, Adam (2 May 2019)."Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Is Dead At 74".CinemaBlend.Retrieved3 May2019.
  45. ^Saperstein, Pat; Stedman, Alex (2 May 2019)."Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew From 'Star Wars' Dies at 74".Variety.Retrieved3 May2019.
  46. ^Alter, Ethan (16 November 2018)."'The Star Wars Holiday Special' at 40: How a landmark TV bomb was born ".Yahoo Entertainment.Retrieved3 May2019.
  47. ^Murray, Noel (12 February 2015)."When the Muppets met Star Wars".The Dissolve.Retrieved3 May2019.
  48. ^"Peter Mayhew dead at 74 after decades-long run playing Chewbacca in Star Wars films".ABC7 Chicago. 3 May 2019.Retrieved3 May2019.
  49. ^Itzkoff, Dave (17 February 2011)."Remaking Wookiee: Chewbacca Becomes a Character on 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'".ArtsBeat.Retrieved3 May2019.
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