"The gentlest of giants" - Tributes from fans and famous faces flood in as Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew dies, aged 74
George Lucas, Mark H🔥amill, and more pay their respects

Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Wookiee Chewbacca across five Star Wars movies, has died age𝕴d 74. Taking to Twitter, many castmates and famous faces, including the likes of Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, paid tribute to the man who has bee♔n called a “gentle giant.” Fans, too, have been sharing their favourite memories of one of the original Star Wars cast members, as well as looking back on how he made the role of Chewie so iconic.
Star Wars alumni react to Peter Mayhew's death
Both Mark Hamꦰill and Harrison Ford shared their immediate reaction in the wake of Mayhew’s death, with Hamill calling the actor “a loyal friend who I loved dearly.”
He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loy🍬al friend who I loved dearly-I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken @TheWookieeRoars pic.twitter.com/8xbq9HEWF2
Harrison Ford on the de🦩ath of his friend, Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew: pic.twitter.com/DvVZYICwZ9
J.J. Abrams, who directed Mayhew in his final appearance in a galaxy far, far away in 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has also op💃ened up about ♏the legacy of the 7ft 4in actor.
pic.twitter.com/IN7JJxRSw2
Meanwhile, Mayhew’s direct replacement in the r😼ole of Chewie – and a man who was mentored by him for many years – Joonas Suotamo calls him a “legend of unrivaled class.”
R.I.P 😔 pic.twitter.com/FWRgaOS0Tf
Star Wars supremo George Lucas also echoed his past and present contemp𝔍oraries, revealing that Mayhew, as many can attest, was a “wonderful man.”
George Lucas on the passing of Peter Mayhew. @abc pic.twitter.com/P05🔯qaVks5o
Star Wars dans and famous faces react to Peter Mayhew's death
It wasn’t just those who immediately knew him who felt touched bꦉy the Chewbacca actor’s passing. Everyone from the Prime Minister of Canada, to those who spent a generation sat in wide-eyed amazement at the larger-than-life character, all shared their thoughts, fee🦋lings, and touching fan art.
”No one’s ever really gone”RIP Peter Mayhew, Carrie Fisher, and Kenny Baker. pic.twitter.com/og5vVsEc7🔴d
R.I.P. Peter Mayhew😔 pic.twitter.com/nWpAjkWzte
May the Force Be with You, #PeterMayhew! As the King of the Cinematic Sidekicks, your performance helped make my childhood fun! Thank you for bringing Chewbacca to life and for always waving the flag for fandom! We may have let the Wookie win, but YOU won ou𒁏r hearts, sir! pic.twitter.com/B6cpKTKyv2
R.I.P. #PeterMayhew 🌟 Thank you for bringing us closer to the stars and for bringing one of the kindest, dearest characters in movie history to life.#chewbacca pic.twitter.com/RQpZiCKMB7
Just heard the news that Peter Mayhew, who played our beloved Chewbacca, has passed away. His career spanned generations and he brought joy to millions of people on and off screen. At some point or other, he has made every single one of us smile. That’s quite an accomplishment ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sgePS1gI8m
Star Wars wouldn’t have been the same without Peter Mayhew as the loyal and lovable Chewbacca, and he will alwa🅘ys be a favourite for generations of kids & kids at heart. Rest easy, Peter. pic.twitter.com/psEok9fzcq
I never met the man. But I spent my life with him. Just heard about the passing of Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca. You never think about someone like that behind the suit. His thoughtful eyes and the clumsy graceful way he played the wookie. Thank u, si🧜r. Love, my childhood.
I took this p෴hoto of Peter Mayhew in 2009, the first time I met him. He was at San Diego Comic-Con and was incredibly kind and generous with his time. RIP, Peter. You were in every way a great🃏 man, and you will be missed. #petermayhew #sdcc #starwars pic.twitter.com/8LclBIMYRN
My heart is very sad to hear ofಞ the passing of Peter Mayhew…I really don’t know ♉what to say so ill just post this from when I met him at #starwarsweekends #chewbacca #RIPChewbacca pic.twitter.com/BAB3TVWQJS
Everyone at GamesRadar would like to extend their condolences🅰 to Peteꦕr Mayhew’s family and friends.
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I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kick꧟ing back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.