His familyannounced the newsThursday via Mayhews social media accounts.
But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more than a role in a film.
(He handed over the role toJoonas SuotamoforThe Last Jedi, serving as a Chewbacca consultant.)
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Though he became known to moviegoers the world over, Mayhew didnt set out to be an actor.
Mayhew would later joke that all he had to do to win the Chewbacca part was stand up.
In Georges office, he had a sofa,Mayhew recalledat a fan convention in 2013.
Lucasfilm
So I sat down on the sofa waiting for him to come in through the door.
He and [producer] Gary Kurtz walked in.
I did the natural thing, I stood up.
Basically, that was the interview.
He turned to Gary and said, I think weve found him.'
Lucas would latertell PEOPLE, After talking with him, I knew Id found Chewbacca.
When Peter put on that costume, he instantly became the embodiment of the character.
When I first met Peter duringThe Force Awakens, I was immediately impressed by his kind and gentle nature.
Peter was brilliantly able to express his personality through his skillful use of gesture, posture, and eyes.
We all love Chewie, and have Peter to thank for that enduring memory.
The bowcaster-wielding Wookiee became a fan favorite, and Mayhew was a fixture on the convention circuit.
At Disneys D23 Expo in 2015,Force Awakensdirector J.J. Abrams spoke about his popularity.
You cant deny Chewbacca, AbramstoldEntertainment Tonight.
It was an ongoing thing, and one of the casualties was patches of hair on the suit.
Mayhew met his wife, Angie Luker, a toy dealer, at a convention in 1997.
They wed two years later, settling in Texas, and Mayhewbecame a naturalized citizenof the U.S. in 2005.
We knew it was good, he said.
Nobody realized the potential.
Its a great feeling.
Mayhew is survived by his wife and three children.
