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Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in the ‘Star Wars’ films, dies at 74

The 7-foot-3 Mayhew played Han Solo's furry sidekick in five "Star Wars" films.

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 1978, file photo, actors featured in the "Star Wars" movie (from left) Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo; Anthony Daniels, who played the robot C3P0; Carrie Fisher, who played the princess; and Peter Mayhew, who played the Wookie, Chewbacca, are shown during a break from the filming of a television special presentation in Los Angeles. Mayhew’s family said in a statement that he died at his home in Texas on Friday, April, 26, 2019. He was 74. No cause was given.
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 1978, file photo, actors featured in the "Star Wars" movie (from left) Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo; Anthony Daniels, who played the robot C3P0; Carrie Fisher, who played the princess; and Peter Mayhew, who played the Wookie, Chewbacca, are shown during a break from the filming of a television special presentation in Los Angeles. Mayhew’s family said in a statement that he died at his home in Texas on Friday, April, 26, 2019. He was 74. No cause was given.Read moreAP
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Updated 
    Published 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Peter Mayhew, who played shaggy, towering Chewbacca in several of the Star Wars films, has died, his family said Thursday. He was 74.

Mayhew died at his home in Texas on Tuesday, according to a family statement. No cause was given.

The 7-foot-3 Mayhew played the beloved and furry Chewbacca, sidekick to Han Solo and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon, in the original Star Wars trilogy.

He went on to appear as the Wookiee in 2005′s Revenge of the Sith and shared the part in 2015′s The Force Awakens with actor Joonas Suotamo, who later took over the role.

"He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films," the family statement said. "But, to him, the 'Star Wars' family meant so much more to him than a role in a film."

Mayhew developed lifelong friendships with the other Star Wars actors and spent three decades traveling the world to meet his fans, the statement says.

His costars and colleagues offered kind words and remembrances late Thursday.

“Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character,” Harrison Ford said. “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.”

On Twitter, Mark Hamill wrote: “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.”

George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars franchise, issued a statement: “Peter was a wonderful man. He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature ... and I learned to always let him win. He was a good friend and I’m saddened by his passing.”

His family said he was active with various nonprofit groups and established the Peter Mayhew Foundation, which is devoted to alleviating disease, pain, suffering and the financial toll from traumatic events, its website says.

Born and raised in England, Mayhew had appeared in just one film and was working as a hospital orderly in London when George Lucas found him and cast him in 1977′s Star Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children. A memorial service will be held June 29.