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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 4 May 2019
Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in the 'Star Wars' films, dies at 74

By ANDREW DALTON role one last time in "The
Associated Press Force Awakens" was a tri-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter umph.
Mayhew, the towering ac- Even after he retired, May-
tor who donned a huge, hew served as an adviser
furry costume to give life to to his successor Suotamo,
the rugged-and-beloved a former Finnish basketball
character of Chewbacca player who told The Asso-
in the original "Star Wars" ciated Press last year that
trilogy and two other films, Mayhew put him through
has died, his family said "Wookiee boot camp" be-
Thursday. fore he played the role in
Mayhew died at his home "Solo."
in north Texas on Tuesday, Mayhew spent much of
according to a family state- the last decades of his life
ment. He was 74. No cause in the United States, and
was given. he became a U.S. citizen in
As Chewbacca, known 2005.
to his friends as Chewie, The 200-plus-year-old char-
the 7-foot-3 Mayhew was acter whose suit has been
a fierce warrior with a soft compared to an ape, a
heart, loyal sidekick to Har- bear, and Bigfoot, and
rison Ford's Han Solo, and wore a bandolier with am-
co-pilot of the Millennium munition for his laser rifle,
Falcon. was considered by many
Mayhew went on to ap- In this Dec. 14, 2015, file photo, Peter Mayhew arrives at the world premiere of "Star Wars: The to be one of the hokier el-
pear as the Wookiee in the Force Awakens" in Los Angeles. ements in the original "Star
2005 prequel "Revenge of Associated Press Wars," something out of a
the Sith" and shared the more low-budget sci-fi of-
part in 2015's "The Force I loved dearly. I'm grate- "Peter was a wonderful most of his adult life made fering.
Awakens" with actor Joon- ful for the memories we man," Lucas said in a state- those who saw him in real The films themselves
as Suotamo, who took over shared & I'm a better man ment Thursday. "He was the life believe he was Chew- seemed to acknowledge
the role in subsequent films. for just having known him." closest any human being bacca, along with his stat- this.
"Peter Mayhew was a kind Born and raised in England, could be to a Wookiee: big ure. "Will somebody get this big
and gentle man, possessed Mayhew had appeared in heart, gentle nature ... and His height, the result of a walking carpet out of my
of great dignity and noble just one film and was work- I learned to always let him genetic disorder known way?!" Carrie Fisher, as Prin-
character," Ford said in a ing as a hospital orderly win. He was a good friend as Marfan syndrome, was cess Leia, says in the origi-
statement Thursday. "These in London when George and I'm saddened by his the source of constant nal "Star Wars." It was one
aspects of his own person- Lucas, who shot the first passing." health complications late of the big laugh lines of
ality, plus his wit and grace, film in England, found him From then on, "Star Wars" in his life. He had respiratory the film, as was Ford calling
he brought to Chewbac- and cast him in 1977's "Star would become Mayhew's problems, his speech grew Chewie a "fuzzball" in "The
ca. We were partners in film Wars." life. He made constant ap- limited and he often had Empire Strikes Back."
and friends in life for over 30 Lucas chose quickly when pearances in the costume to use scooters and wheel- But Chewbacca would be-
years and I loved him... My he saw Mayhew, who liked in commercials, on TV spe- chairs instead of walking. come as enduring an ele-
thoughts are with his dear to say all he had to do to cials and at public events. His family said his fighting ment of the "Star Wars" gal-
wife Angie and his children. land the role was stand up. The frizzy long hair he had through that to play the axy as any other character.
Rest easy, my dear friend."
Mayhew defined the in- Jersey's Springsteen readies a Western-style album
credibly well-known Wook-
iee and became a world-
famous actor for most of By The Associated Press Springsteen recorded it pri-
his life without speaking NEW YORK (AP) — Fresh marily at home in New Jer-
a word or even making a off his Broadway run, New sey, with additional work in
sound — Chewbacca's fa- Jersey's Bruce Springsteen California and New York.
mous roar was the creation looked West for inspiration Ron Aniello produced and
of sound designers. on a new album he's plan- plays on the album, which
"He put his heart and soul ning to release on June 14. also has contributions from
into the role of Chewbac- The 13-song disc is his first Springsteen's wife Patti
ca and it showed in ev- new studio album in five Scialfa, Jon Brion, David
ery frame of the films," the years. Titled "Western Stars," Sancious, Charlie Giordano
family statement said. "But, Springsteen said Thursday and Soozie Tyrell.
to him, the 'Star Wars' fam- the album draws some in- "This record is a return to
ily meant so much more to spiration from southern Cal- my solo recordings featur-
him than a role in a film." ifornia pop records of the ing character-driven songs
Mark Hamill, who played late 1960s and early 1970s. and sweeping, cinematic
Luke Skywalker alongside He's releasing a song and orchestral arrangements,"
Mayhew, wrote on Twitter video called "Hello Sun- he said. "It's a jewel box
that he was "the gentlest shine" after midnight on of a record." Among the
of giants — A big man with Thursday. song titles are "Hitch Hikin'," This cover image released by Columbia Records shows "West-
an even bigger heart who Springsteen wrapped up ''Sleepy Joe's Cafe," ''Cha- ern Stars," the next album by Bruce Springsteen to release on
never failed to make me a 236-show Broadway run sin' Wild Horses" and "There June 14.
smile & a loyal friend who last December. Goes My Miracle."q Associated Press