Actor Peter Mayhew, who won over fans worldwide as the Wookiee warrior Chewbacca in the blockbuster Star Wars movies, has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Thursday.
Mayhew died on Tuesday at his home in Texas, the family said in a statement released on the actor’s Twitter account.
“Peter was the man behind the mask of Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, episode 3 of the prequels, and in the New Trilogy,” the 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 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 fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
