It’s a sad day for “Star Wars” fans, as news just broke that Peter Mayhew has passed away. He was 74.
Mayhew, who was 7 feet 3 inches, played Chewbacca the Wookie in the “Star Wars” series from the first film in 1977 until “Force Awakens” in 2015.
His family posted the news on Twitter with “deep love and sadness,” confirming Mayhew passed away surrounded by family on April 30 at his home in Texas.
Peter’s loved ones said in a statement, “He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films.”