Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill say goodbye to Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
The Star Wars fandom was saddened Thursday when the family of Peter Mayhew released a statement revealed that the actor had died at the age of 74. Mayhew played the lovable Wookiee Chewbacca in all three original trilogy movies — A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi — as well in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Mayhew also shared the role of Chewie in Episode VII: The Force Awakens with Joonas Suotamo, who took over full-time for Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and the upcoming Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
Mayhew’s co-star and Millennium Falcon co-pilot Harrison Ford (Han Solo) made a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character. These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience. Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to its continued success and he was devoted to them. I and millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all. My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children. Rest easy, my dear friend…."
Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) also said his goodbyes:
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 (@MarkHamill) May 2, 2019
Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) had this to say:
Much more than Chewie to me...My heart hurts…I will miss you my dear friend…thanks for the great memories! #RIPPeterMayhew #StarWars pic.twitter.com/0DfCo59zpG
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) May 3, 2019
Director J.J. Abrams, who made it so Mayhew could be a part of The Force Awakens, also gave his thoughts:
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) May 3, 2019
At 7’3”, Mayhew towered over his costars. He was beloved by fans the world over and always had time for them at the many conventions he attended. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I’d like to think Mayhew is now one with the Force. As Master Yoda once said, “Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.”
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