Peter Mayhew has passed away

Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the original Star Wars films has died. He was 74.

Mayhew died on 30 April in his North Texas home surrounded by his family.

He played Chewbacca in 1977’s A New Hope. He continued in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back and 1983’s Return of the Jedi, as well as 2005’s Revenge of the Sith and 2015’s The Force Awakens.

There will be a memorial for fans in Los Angeles at the fan event Empire Con LA.

He is survived by his wife, Angie Mayhew, and their three children.