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.
Filmography
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The Star Wars Holiday Special
1978 • Chewbacca
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
2015
Terror
1978
Comic Book Villains
2002 • Peter Mayhew
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger
1977 • Minoton
Return of the Ewok
1982 • Chewbacca
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 • Chewbacca
Return of the Jedi
1983 • Chewbacca