Peter Mayhew

Biography

Peter Mayhew (May 19, 1944 – April 30, 2019) was a British-American actor renowned for his iconic portrayal of Chewbacca in the beloved Star Wars franchise. Born in Barnes, Surrey, he grew up in the area before embarking on his acting career. Mayhew’s impressive height, standing at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m), was due to an overactive pituitary gland linked to a genetic condition known as Marfan Syndrome, rather than gigantism, which he humorously noted by stating, "I don't have the big head." He underwent successful treatment for this condition in his teenage years. Throughout his life, Mayhew became a beloved figure in pop culture, celebrated not only for his role as the Wookiee co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon but also for his contributions to various charitable causes.