View source for Peter Mayhew

{{short description|British-American actor (1944–2019)}}
{{other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Peter Mayhew
| image = Peter Mayhew 2015.jpg
| caption = Mayhew at the 2015 [[Florida Supercon]]
| birth_name = Peter William Mayhew
| birth_date = {{birth date|1944|5|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Barnes, London|Barnes]], [[Surrey]]<!--The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames did not exist until 1965. Surrey is correct-->, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|4|30|1944|5|19|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Boyd, Texas]], US
| resting_place = Azleland Memorial Park and<br />Mausoleum [[Reno, Parker County, Texas|Reno, Texas]], US
| nationality = United Kingdom<br />United States
| known_for = Playing [[Chewbacca]] in the<br />''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise
| height = 7 ft 3 in<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liptak |first=Andrew |date=2 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew, the actor who brought Chewbacca to life, has died |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/2/18527493/peter-mayhew-chewbacca-wookiestar-wars-empire-strikes-back-return-of-the-jedi-obituary |access-date=30 June 2019 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1976–2016
| spouse = {{marriage|Mary Cigainero|1999}}
| domestic_partner =
| children =
| parents =
| website =
}}

'''Peter William Mayhew'''<ref name="theguardian.com">{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Anthony |date=3 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/03/peter-mayhew-obituary |access-date=6 May 2019 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019) was a British-American actor. He was best known for portraying [[Chewbacca]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' [[Star Wars original trilogy|film series]]. He played the character in all of his live-action appearances from the [[Star Wars (film)|1977 original]] to 2015's ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens|The Force Awakens]]'' before his retirement from the role. He also voiced the character in ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' and portrayed him in some non-canon television shows including ''[[The Muppet Show]]''. 

== Early life ==
Peter Mayhew was born on 19 May 1944, in [[Barnes, London|Barnes]], [[Surrey]]. At the age of 8, he was diagnosed with [[gigantism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering Peter |url=https://www.mayhewfoundation.org/remembering-peter/ |access-date=1 June 2021 |website=Peter Mayhew Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> Mayhew also had a genetic tissue disorder called [[Marfan syndrome]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Karl |date=12 April 2014 |title=Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew in Melbourne for Supernova fan convention |url=https://www.smh.com.au/victoria/star-wars-actor-peter-mayhew-in-melbourne-for-supernova-fan-convention-20140411-36iiy.html |access-date=12 April 2014 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vankin |first=Jonathan |date=20 January 2015 |title='Star Wars' actor, Peter 'Chewbacca' Mayhew, 70, stricken with pneumonia—sends fans message from hospital |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1773155/star-wars-peter-chewbacca-mayhew-70-stricken-with-pneumonia-sends-fans-message-from-hospital/ |access-date=21 December 2015 |website=[[Inquisitr]]}}</ref> His peak height was {{convert|7|ft|3|in|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Mayhew |url=http://www.petermayhew.com/peter.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510145817/http://www.petermayhew.com/peter.html |archive-date=10 May 2008 |website=PeterMayhew.com}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== Early work ===
Mayhew gained his first acting job when the producers of ''[[Sinbad 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.<ref name="SWfaq">{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pAjYCgAAQBAJ&q=mayhew+minotaur&pg=PT80 |title=Star Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies |publisher=Applause Theatre & Cinema Books |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-48036-018-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Sean |date=19 May 2015 |title=15 Chewbacca Facts in Honour of Peter Mayhew's Birthday |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/56801/15-chewbacca-facts-honor-peter-mayhews-birthday |access-date=21 December 2015 |website=[[Mental Floss]]}}</ref>

===''Star Wars'' ===
{{Main article|Star Wars}}
{{Further information|Star Wars original trilogy|Chewbacca}}
====1977-1983: ''Star Wars'' original trilogy====
Mayhew played Chewbacca in five ''Star Wars'' films of the ''Skywalker'' saga: the [[Original trilogy (Star Wars)|original trilogy]] (''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'', ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' and ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''), ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]''.<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Child |first=Ben |date=8 April 2014 |title=Original Chewbacca actor set to return in Star Wars: Episode VII |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/08/chewbacca-actor-peter-mayhew-returns-episode-vii |access-date=22 May 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> 

When casting the original ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977), director [[George Lucas]] needed a tall actor who could fit the role of the hairy alien Chewbacca. He originally had in mind {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|2|adj=on}} bodybuilder [[David Prowse]], but Prowse chose to play [[Darth Vader]]. This led Lucas to cast Mayhew, who was working as a hospital [[orderly]] in the emergency department at [[Croydon University Hospital|Mayday University Hospital]] in Surrey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Josh |date=2 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew, original Chewbacca actor in Star Wars, passes away at 74 |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/peter-mayhew-original-chewbacca-actor-in-star-wars-passes-away-at-74 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503021539/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/peter-mayhew-original-chewbacca-actor-in-star-wars-passes-away-at-74 |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=SYFY Wire}}</ref> He became aware of a casting call for ''Star Wars'' which was filming at [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]] in Hertfordshire.<ref name="ABCNR">{{Cite news |date=2 May 2019 |title=''Star Wars'' actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, dies at age 74 |url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/entertainment-news/star-wars-actor-peter-mayhew-who-played-chewbacca-dies-at-ag.html |access-date=4 May 2019 |work=ABC News Radio}}</ref> The {{convert|7|ft|3|in|adj=on}} tall actor was immediately cast as Chewbacca after he stood up to greet Lucas.<ref name="ABCNR" /><ref name="Hayward">{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Anthony |date=3 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/03/peter-mayhew-obituary |access-date=4 May 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Mayhew continued working as an orderly at the same hospital in between filming the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2019 |title=Tributes to Star Wars Chewbacca actor who worked at Mayday Hospital in Croydon |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/peter-mayhew-death-actor-who-16220939}}</ref> The success and cultural impact of ''Star Wars'' led to further sequels rounding out the original trilogy, two more trilogies and television shows which continued Mayhew's association with his character and the franchise for the next decades. 

Mayhew modelled his performance of Chewbacca after researching the behaviour of bears, monkeys and gorillas he saw at [[London Zoo]].<ref name="Timesobit">{{Cite news |date=3 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew obituary |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/peter-mayhew-obituary-kmfcjdqbw |access-date=4 May 2019 |work=The Times |location=London}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Lucas said Mayhew was "the closest any human being could be to a [[Wookiee]]: big heart, gentle nature and I learnt to always let him win".<ref name="Timesobit" /> The character did not have any lines, the sounds he made being derived from sound recordings of animal noises.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fortin |first=Jacey |date=2 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew, Actor Behind Chewbacca's Mask in ''Star Wars'', Dies at 74 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/obituaries/peter-mayhew-chewbacca-dead.html |access-date=4 May 2019 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>[[File:PeterMayhew11.14.08ByLuigiNovi1.jpg|right|thumb|Mayhew at the 2008 [[Big Apple Con]] sitting in front of an image of Chewbacca]]

The release of ''Star Wars'', the first film in the series and fourth chapter of the ''Skywalker saga'', took place in 1977 and received positive reviews. He filmed several scenes for the original trilogy at Elstree Studios.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=59}} Mayhew starred in ''The Empire Strikes Back''; the film received positive reviews and was the highest-grossing film of the year. Ever since its release and even after a reassessment, it is considered to be the best film in the ''Star Wars'' series. He also appeared in the 1980 television documentary special, ''[[SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back]]''. Although 1983's ''Return of the Jedi'' marked the end of the original trilogy, some back stories George Lucas created would generate production and filming of the prequel trilogy in the 1990s and eventually contribute to Mayhew's reprisal. The actor shared his memories of his costume and experience on the first three films in the 2004 documentary film, ''[[Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy]]''. The documentary was included in the first DVD release of the original trilogy.

====2003-2011: ''Revenge of the Sith'' and ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars''====
{{quote box|right|quote="As soon as I put the Chewie costume on, the character came out. It was like riding a bike. One minute I could be standing there talking to someone and having a normal conversation, but the moment I put on the mask, I became the character. Chewbacca literally came alive. It was quite amazing."|&nbsp;-Peter Mayhew's memories of putting on the Chewbacca costume{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}} | width = 27%}}
By the time ''[[Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones]]'' was released to cinemas in May 2002, work had begun on the last film of the prequel trilogy.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=1}} On 23 April 2003, it was announced on the ''Star Wars'' website that Mayhew would reprise his role in ''Revenge of the Sith'', the last instalment of the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel trilogy]] and last film to be distributed by 20th Century Fox.{{sfn|Rinzler|2005|p=54}} It was also announced that two of his co-stars from the original trilogy, [[Anthony Daniels]] and [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]] would reprise their roles as [[C-3PO]] and [[R2-D2]] respectively.{{sfn|Rinzler|2005|p=54}} The events of the film take place 19 years before the first theatrical film Mayhew appeared in. Prior to the announcement, Mayhew received a phone call from [[Rick McCallum]] asking if he was available.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}} Upon his return, Mayhew said, "Not only was it great personally to be able to become that character again, to bring him back after all this time, but it generally seemed to make people happy."{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}} He also described his character as "very comforting."{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}}

Most of the live-action scenes had been completed during the 57-day shoot in 2003, however several scenes including the Battle of Kashyyyk had not been.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}} In the summer of 2003, Mayhew and seven new Wookiee performers had their costume fittings.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}} A new Chewbacca costume was made for Mayhew and it included a foam musculature.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=60}} The costume also reflected the character being 19 years younger than his counterpart in ''A New Hope''.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=60}} There was no ventilation system in the original costume but this time the new costume featured "an arterial cooling system underneath the fur."{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=60}} Mayhew's scenes were quieter because although Chewbacca was featured alongside [[Yoda]] the latter was digitally added later.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=60}} Kashyyyk had been previously featured in ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' which Mayhew appeared in. Mayhew and the Wookiee actors filmed their scenes for the Battle of Kashyyyk at Sydney in the Spring of 2004.{{sfn|Magazines|2025|p=58}}

''Revenge of the Sith'' was released in cinemas in May 2005 and received positive reviews. He also recorded dialogue for the ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 3|Season 3]] finale episode "Wookiee Hunt".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Itzkoff |first=David |date=17 February 2011 |title=Remaking Wookiee: Chewbacca Becomes a Character on 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/remaking-wookiee-chewbacca-becomes-a-character-on-star-wars-the-clone-wars/ |access-date=31 May 2011 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The animated television series takes place between the events of ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith''.

====2012-2016: Last ''Star Wars'' film and successor====

In October 2012, [[The Walt Disney Company|the Walt Disney Company]] acquired Lucasfilm and announced that the sequel trilogy would be made with ''Episode VII'' being released in 2015. In April 2014, it was announced that Mayhew would reprise his role in the first instalment of the sequel trilogy and seventh ''Star Wars'' film.<ref name="Guardian"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Star Wars: Episode VII Cast Announced |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-cast-announced |website=starwars.com |access-date=31 October 2025 |date=29 April 2014}}</ref> He acted opposite several of his co-stars including [[Harrison Ford]] from the original trilogy again and new cast members including [[Daisy Ridley]] and [[John Boyega]]. ''The Force Awakens'' was the first live-action ''Star Wars'' film to be distributed by [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]]. The film received positive reviews, was the highest grossing film of 2015, grossed $2.07 billion worldwide and became the third-highest grossing film at the time of its release. 

While Mayhew portrayed Chewbacca in ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'', he was not in ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' but was listed in the credits as "Chewbacca Consultant".<ref name="IMDBLastJedi">{{Cite web |title=Star Wars: The Last Jedi—full credits |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2527336/fullcredits |access-date=6 January 2018 |publisher=[[IMDb]]}}</ref><ref name="Reuters"/> Mayhew retired from playing Chewbacca due to health issues. [[Joonas Suotamo]] shared the portrayal of Chewbacca with Mayhew in ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'', and then completely replaced him in subsequent ''Star Wars'' films.{{efn|''The Last Jedi'', ''Solo: A Star Wars Story'' and ''The Rise of Skywalker''.}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hawkes |first=Rebecca |date=6 January 2016 |title=The 'secret' Chewbacca: meet the 6'11" basketball star who shared the role with Peter Mayhew in Star Wars: The Force Awakens |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/chewbacca-actor-double-joonas-suotamo-peter-mayhew/ |access-date=11 June 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orange |first=B. Alan |date=6 January 2016 |title=Meet The New Chewbacca Actor in Star Wars: The Force Awakens |url=http://movieweb.com/star-wars-force-awakens-chewbacca-actor-joonas-suotamo/ |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref>

====1977-2019: Television, commercials and other appearances====

Mayhew made a guest appearance in a ''Star Wars'' special of the ''[[Donny & Marie (1976 TV series)|Donny & Marie]]'' show.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=89}} He and Anthony Daniels were the only actors from ''Star Wars'' to appear in the television special.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|pp=89, 266}} Mayhew played the role in the 1978 television film ''Star Wars Holiday Special'', set between the events of ''Star Wars'' and the yet to be released sequel.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=91}} The television special was broadcast only once and received negative reviews but became a cult classic among Star Wars fans when bootleg recordings were uploaded to the internet.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=93}} In 1980 made a guest appearance on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', The Stars of ''Star Wars''; the crossover episode also starred Daniels as [[C-3PO]], [[Mark Hamill]] as [[Luke Skywalker]] and [[R2-D2]] who went on a search for Chewbacca.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=99}} They filmed scenes at [[BBC Elstree Centre|ATV Studios]] in January 1980.{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=99}} 

Mayhew played the role in commercials and hospital appearances for sick children, and made numerous appearances as Chewbacca outside the ''Star Wars'' films. Mayhew, appearing as Chewbacca, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the [[MTV Movie Awards 1997|MTV Film Awards 1997]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chilton |first=Martin |date=13 December 2011 |title=Chewbacca film on Hollywood Black List |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8953702/Chewbacca-film-on-Hollywood-Black-List.html |access-date=3 May 2019 |ref=telegraph |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>

He also made other media appearances outside of playing Chewbacca. He appeared on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Identity (game show)|Identity]]'', where his identity was based on his role as Chewbacca and was a frequent guest in the early days of ''Slice of SciFi''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Summer |date=26 October 2005 |title=Slice of SciFi #30: Interview with Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca, 'Star Wars') |url=https://www.sliceofscifi.com/2005/10/26/slice-of-scifi-30/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Slice of SciFi |ref=slice}}</ref>

His final convention appearance was [[Star Wars Celebration|''Star Wars'' Celebration Chicago]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mighty Peter Mayhew and More Guests Coming to Star Wars Celebration Chicago |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/peter-mayhew-and-more-guests-coming-to-star-wars-celebration-chicago |website=starwars.com |access-date=28 October 2025 |date=6 February 2019 |quote=The actor who first brought the legendary Wookiee Chewbacca to life is returning to Star Wars Celebration Chicago this year, and he's bringing along quite a crew.}}</ref>

=== Other work ===
Outside ''Star Wars'', Mayhew appeared in the 1978 horror film ''[[Terror (1978 film)|Terror]]'', directed by [[Norman J. Warren]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Chris |date=27 February 2010 |title=Terror (1978) |url=https://www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk/terror.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503084850/https://www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk/terror.shtml |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=British Horror Films}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |last3=Pedersen |first3=Erik |date=2 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew Dies: 'Star Wars' Chewbacca Actor Was 74 |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/peter-mayhew-dead-star-wars-chewbacca-actor-was-74-1202606533/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |magazine=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In the English version of ''[[Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy]]'', he provided the voice for Susha.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Walter |first=Joseph |date=22 July 2018 |title=20 Crazy Things Only True Fans Know About Dragon Ball GT |url=https://screenrant.com/dragon-ball-gt-hidden-trivia/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> He also appeared in ''[[Yesterday Was a Lie]]''.<ref name="Telegraph">{{Cite news |last=Chilton |first=Martin |date=4 May 2011 |title=Ewoks, sex dolls and comedy: what happened to the Star Wars cast |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/8492602/Ewoks-sex-dolls-and-comedy-what-happened-to-the-Star-Wars-cast.html |access-date=11 June 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

=== Books ===
Mayhew wrote two books for younger audiences: ''Growing Up Giant'',<ref name="MayhewMayhew2013">{{Cite book |last=Mayhew |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4VIdAgAAQBAJ |title=My Favorite Giant |last2=Mayhew |first2=Angie |date=19 November 2013 |publisher=One Mans Posse Production |isbn=978-1-62098-826-8}}</ref> which explains that being different is a strength instead of a weakness, and the anti-bullying book for children ''My Favorite Giant''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Carrie |date=22 April 2011 |title=My Favorite Giant by Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/portrait-of-an-adoption/2011/04/my-favorite-giant-by-peter-mayhew-chewbacca/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630230031/http://www.chicagonow.com/portrait-of-an-adoption/2011/04/my-favorite-giant-by-peter-mayhew-chewbacca/ |archive-date=30 June 2017 |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=[[ChicagoNow]]}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Mayhew moved to Wheathead Lane, [[Keighley]], West Yorkshire, in 1987.<ref name="theguardian.com" /><ref name="Keighley">{{Cite web |date=3 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew, the former Keighley man who played Chewbacca in Star Wars, has died |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17616232.peter-mayhew-former-keighley-actor-played-chewbacca-star-wars-died/ |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |language=en}}</ref> He invested in and worked at a timber yard just over the City of Bradford border in South Craven, North Yorkshire.<ref name="theguardian.com" /><ref name="Timber">{{Cite web |date=20 May 2005 |title=Stars Wars gentle giant is back |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/4831069.stars-wars-gentle-giant-is-back/ |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |language=en}}</ref> He became a supporter of [[Keighley RUFC|Keighley Rugby Union Football Club]].<ref name="theguardian.com" /><ref name="Keighley" />

Mayhew married Mary Angelique "Angie" Luker (née Cigainero), a native of Texas, in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bushby |first=Helen |date=3 May 2019 |title=How Peter Mayhew became Chewbacca |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48147012 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com" /> The two lived in Boyd, [[Texas]], United States, where he had moved to in 2000.<ref name="theguardian.com" /><ref name="Timber" /> Peter was the stepfather to Mary's three children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Kari |last2=Convery |first2=Stephanie |date=2 May 2019 |title=Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew dies aged 74 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/02/chewbacca-peter-mayhew-dies-aged-74 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Megan |date=8 February 2012 |title=Chewbacca Making Dallas-Area Appearances |url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/events/Chewbacca-Making-Dallas-Area-Appearances-138961999.html |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=nbcdfw.com |publisher=[[KXAS-TV]]}}</ref> It was reported that his wife would head his namesake charity, the Peter Mayhew Foundation.

Mayhew became a [[naturalised]] citizen of the United States in 2005 at a ceremony in Arlington, Texas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2005 |title=Star Wars actor who played Chewbacca to become American citizen |page=16 |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2016 |title=Chewbacca actor to become an American |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/chewbacca-actor-become-american-1C9482782 |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]}}</ref> In an interview with the ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'', he joked that he did not get a medal at this ceremony either, a reference to the closing scene in ''Star Wars'' during which [[Luke Skywalker]] and [[Han Solo]] get medals, but Chewbacca does not. Mayhew noted in an [[MTV]] interview that although Chewbacca does not get a medal in the film, he does have the last line of dialogue, when he roars.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 October 2005 |title='Star Wars' actor, others pledge their allegiance |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |page=B2}}</ref>

Mayhew underwent double knee replacement surgery in 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 September 2013 |title=Wookie knee repair: 'Star Wars' actor Peter Mayhew hopes to walk again after Fort Worth surgery |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/headlines/20130911-wookie-knee-repair-star-wars-actor-peter-mayhew-hopes-to-walk-again-after-fort-worth-surgery.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406214839/http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/headlines/20130911-wookie-knee-repair-star-wars-actor-peter-mayhew-hopes-to-walk-again-after-fort-worth-surgery.ece |archive-date=6 April 2014 |access-date=4 October 2018 |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]}}</ref> having been a full-time wheelchair user for the previous two years and still largely reliant on it at the time of filming ''The Force Awakens''.<ref name="Brez2019">{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=2 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew remembered: How he said goodbye to playing Chewbacca |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/05/02/peter-mayhew-remembered-how-he-said-goodbye-to-playing-chewbacca/ |access-date=5 May 2019 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> In July 2018, Mayhew announced via [[Twitter]] that he had successfully undergone unspecified spinal surgery to improve his mobility, and was recovering.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=24 July 2018 |title='Star Wars': Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Undergoes Spinal Surgery |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-chewbacca-actor-peter-mayhew-undergoes-spinal-surgery-1129602 |access-date=4 October 2018 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com" />

== Death and tributes ==

Mayhew died of a heart attack on 30 April 2019, at his home in Boyd, Texas, at age 74.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zarrell |first=Matt |last2=Rothman |first2=Michael |date=2 May 2019 |title='Star Wars' actor Peter Mayhew dies at the age of 74, family says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/star-wars-actor-peter-mayhew-passes-age-74/story?id=62791980 |access-date=2 May 2019 |website=ABC News}}</ref> He was buried in Reno, Parker County, Texas, in Azleland Memorial Park and Mausoleum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Mayhew Obituary Apr 30, 2019 Azle, TX |url=https://www.azlefuneralhome.com/obituary/Peter-Mayhew-1 |website=Azle & Lake Worth Funeral Home}}</ref>

Harrison Ford praised Mayhew for his "great dignity and noble character".<ref>{{cite news |title=Peter Mayhew: Harrison Ford leads tributes to Star Wars' Chewbacca actor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48142765 |access-date=28 October 2025 |publisher=BBC News |date=3 May 2019 |quote=Star Wars star Harrison Ford has paid an emotional tribute to Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, who has died aged 74, saying: "I loved him." Ford, who played Han Solo, praised the "kind and gentle man" for his "great dignity and noble character".}}</ref><ref name="Reuters"/> Mark Hamill called Mayhew "the gentlest of giants."<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web |author1=Lisa Richwine |author2=Steve Gorman |title=Peter Mayhew, actor who played Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' movies, dies |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-starwars-chewbacca/peter-mayhew-actor-who-played-chewbacca-in-star-wars-movies-dies-idUSKCN1S82DB/ |website=reuters.com |access-date=4 November 2025 |date=3 May 2019}}</ref>

Anthony Daniels detailed his recollections about working with Mayhew on the original trilogy, the ''Star Wars Holiday Special'' and non-canon television shows in his 2019 memoirs, ''I Am C-3PO''.{{sfn|Daniels|pp=59, 72, 89, 99, 109-110}}

== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! scope=col| Year
! scope=col| Title
! scope=col| Role
! scope=col| Notes
! scope=col class=unsortable| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1977
| ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''
| [[Chewbacca]]
|
| <ref name="Guardian" />{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=59, 72}}
|-
| ''[[Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger]]''
| Minoton
| Uncredited
| <ref name="SWfaq" />
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Terror (1978 film)|Terror]]''
| The Mechanic
|
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
| 1980
| ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]''
| rowspan="4" | Chewbacca
|
| <ref name="Guardian" />{{sfn|Daniels|2019|pp=109-110}}
|-
| 1982
| ''[[Return of the Ewok]]''
| Video
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Return of the Ewok (1982) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_ewok |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref>
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''
|
| <ref name="Guardian" />
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Star Tours]]''
| Short; uncredited
| <ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Bob |date=25 May 1987 |title=''Star Wars'' celebrates 10th anniversary today |url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/31193594/4e/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=The Palm Beach Post |pages=4E |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"|2004
| ''[[Comic Book: The Movie]]''
| rowspan="2"|Himself
|
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Adam |date=2 May 2019 |title=Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Is Dead At 74 |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2471206/chewbacca-actor-peter-mayhew-is-dead-at-74 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=CinemaBlend}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy]]''
| Documentary film
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]''
| Chewbacca
|
| <ref name="Guardian" />
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Yesterday Was a Lie]]''
| Dead Man
|
| <ref name="Telegraph" />
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Fanboys (film)|Fanboys]]''
| Himself
| Uncredited
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]''
| Chewbacca
| Shared role with [[Joonas Suotamo]] and final film role
| <ref name="theguardian.com" />
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Donny & Marie (1976 TV series)|Donny & Marie]]''
| rowspan="2" | [[Chewbacca]]
| Episode # 3.1
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Saperstein |first=Pat |last2=Stedman |first2=Alex |date=2 May 2019 |title=Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew From 'Star Wars' Dies at 74 |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/peter-mayhew-dead-dies-chewbacca-star-wars-1203203816/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Variety}}</ref>{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=89}}
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]''
| TV special
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=16 November 2018 |title='The Star Wars Holiday Special' at 40: How a landmark TV bomb was born |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/star-wars-holiday-special-40-landmark-tv-bomb-born-150027690.html |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Yahoo Entertainment}}</ref>
|-
| 1979
| ''[[Hazell (TV series)|Hazell]]''
| Episode "Hazell and the Big Sleep"
|
| {{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1980
| ''[[The Muppet Show]]''
| Chewbacca
| Episode: ''The Stars of Star Wars''
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=12 February 2015 |title=When the Muppets met Star Wars |url=https://thedissolve.com/features/movie-of-the-week/922-when-the-muppets-met-star-wars/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503064949/http://thedissolve.com/features/movie-of-the-week/922-when-the-muppets-met-star-wars/ |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=The Dissolve}}</ref>{{sfn|Daniels|2019|p=99}}
|-
| ''[[SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back]]''
| Himself
| Television documentary drama
|
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Dark Towers]]''
| The Tall Knight
| <!-- 5 episodes{{Citation needed|May 2019}} -->
| <ref name=":0" />
|-
| 1985
| ''[[The Kenny Everett Television Show]]''
| Various
| Episode #3.3
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew dead at 74 after decades-long run playing Chewbacca in Star Wars films |url=https://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/chewbacca-actor-peter-mayhew-dead-at-74-family/5282853/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |publisher=ABC7 Chicago}}</ref>
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy]]''
| Susha (Gettō)
| Voice; English dub; TV special
| <ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2011
| ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]''
| rowspan="2" | Chewbacca
| Episode: ''Wookiee Hunt''; Special Thanks
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=17 February 2011 |title=Remaking Wookiee: Chewbacca Becomes a Character on 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' |url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/remaking-wookiee-chewbacca-becomes-a-character-on-star-wars-the-clone-wars/ |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=ArtsBeat}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]''
| Episode: ''[[Extraordinary Merry Christmas]]''
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Breaking In (TV series)|Breaking In]]''
| Himself
| Episode: ''Episode XIII''
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Comic Book Men]]''
| Himself
| Episode: ''Wookiee Fever''
|
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of tallest people]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Print sources===
* {{cite book |title=I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story |last=Daniels |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Daniels |year=2019 |publisher=[[DK (publisher)|DK]]|edition=Hardback |isbn=9780241357606}}
* {{cite book |title=Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith The 20th Anniversary Special |last=Magazines |first=Titan |year=2025 |publisher=Titan Magazines |edition=Hardback |isbn=9781787746725}}
* {{cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W |author-link=J.W. Rinzler |title=The Making of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith |date=2005 |publisher=Ebury Press |edition=Paperback |isbn=9780091897376}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q560552|c=category:Peter Mayhew|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* {{IMDb name|0562679|Peter Mayhew}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080611110609/http://www.starwars.com/bio/petermayhew.html ''Star Wars'' bio]
* [http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2005/10/26/slice-of-scifi-30/ Interview with Peter Mayhew] on ''[[Slice of SciFi]]'' (starts at 36:55 of show)
* {{Find a Grave|198812150}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayhew, Peter}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century English male actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:English emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English male voice actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Surrey]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames]]
[[Category:People from Boyd, Texas]]
[[Category:People with Marfan syndrome]]
[[Category:Writers from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames]]
[[Category:Writers from Texas]]
[[Category:People from Barnes, London]]
[[Category:Actors from Wise County, Texas]]