Peter Mayhew, a.k.a Chewbacca, dead at 74

May 02, 2019 by Ian Evans

The Star Wars family has lost one of its most loved members.

Peter Mayhew, who played the 200-year-old Wookie in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Revenge of the Sith, and The Force Awakens has died at the age of 74. With family at his side, the actor passed away on Tuesday. No cause has been released.

Mayhew was chosen by George Lucas after the Star Wars director saw the 7 foot 3 inch actor in Ray Harryhausen’s Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.