As we close out the year, we are looking back on people who have passed away in 2019 who are directly connected to the world of comic books or are genre adjacent. It seems only fitting that with the release of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker we should remember Peter Mayhew, who passed away on April 30th at the age of 74 from a heart attack.
The English-American actor is best known for his portrayal of the Wookiee, Chewbacca who first appeared in the original Star Wars film in 1977. He would reprise the role no less than 10 more times throughout film and television, as well as acting in various other projects over subsequent decades. Mayhew will always be directly tied to the character that made him a household name and it is clear that he never lost his love for the big furry co-pilot.
To take a minute to discuss the importance of picking the right actor for a role, there are few choices like Peter Mayhew. What could have been a disastrous character turned out to be one of the most beloved in all of film history. Essentially a giant dog/bear/man, a creature covered head to toe in fur, and speaking a language that is completely indiscernible to audience members, this could have been a terribly executed experiment in film that would only live on in infamy, but Mayhew’s physical acting brought heart and humanity to this “walking carpet.” Sure there’s a full body suit, sound effects, and animatronic puppetry that helped bring Chewbacca to life on screen, but his soul is all Peter. Hired solely for his height, the hospital orderly turned actor, couldn’t have been a better choice. And, for those who knew the actor personally it’s clear that his giant heart transgressed from life to art.
I got to meet Peter Mayhew in 2013 and if there was ever a person to attach the “gentle giant” moniker to, it’s him. This was during a low point in the actor’s health. It had been reported that his family asked him to stop acting and doing appearances on t.v. and at conventions, and while I am sure he slowed down, he was still there to meet his fans. At the time he was in a wheelchair and was having a hard time speaking, but his few words, smile, and giant handshakes were all you needed to know that he was ready to engage with everyone to the best of his ability.
He was so sweet and took time to interact with each and every fan. He shook my hand and hugged me before gifting me with the signed Chewie photo seen above. We shared a few words and it is still one of my favorite celebrity meetings. Shortly after this it was announced that he would be reprising the role one last time in The Force Awakens. I was probably just as shocked as anyone else, especially having met him in a weakened state, but I believe returning to the Star Wars universe prolonged his life a bit longer.
Millions of fans around the world love Chewbacca, and Mayhew is the key to that. Many genre legends passed away this year, and we lost a real hero with the death of Peter Mayhew. He had ties to multiple charitable organizations and wrote books on normalizing health conditions and fighting bullying. My heart truly broke with the news of his death.
Peter William Mayhew, 1944-2019
