Peter Mayhew: Difference between revisions
No edit summary Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
|||
Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Peter W. Mayhew''' (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019)<ref name="Entertainment">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/movies/peter-mayhew-chewbacca-star-wars-franchise-dies-74-n1001461|last= |first=|date=|title= |
'''Peter W. Mayhew''' (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019)<ref name="Entertainment">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/movies/peter-mayhew-chewbacca-star-wars-franchise-dies-74-n1001461|last= |first=|date=|title= |
||
Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' franchise, dies at 74|work=[[NBC News]]|accessdate=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TheWookieeRoars/status/1124077256240967681|title=The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home.pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u|last=Mayhew|first=Peter|date=2019-05-02|website=@TheWookieeRoars|language=en|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> was an [[English Americans|English-American]] actor, best known for portraying [[Chewbacca]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' film series. He played the character in all of his live action appearances from the [[Star Wars (film)|1977 original]] to 2015's ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens|The Force Awakens]]'' before his retirement from the role. |
Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' franchise, dies at 74|work=[[NBC News]]|accessdate=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TheWookieeRoars/status/1124077256240967681|title=The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home.pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u|last=Mayhew|first=Peter|date=2019-05-02|website=@TheWookieeRoars|language=en|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> was an [[English Americans|English-American]] actor, best known for portraying [[Chewbacca]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' film series. He played the character in all of his live action appearances from the [[Star Wars (film)|1977 original]] to 2015's ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens|The Force Awakens]]'' before his retirement from the role. Mayhew died on April 30, 2019 at the age of 74, just weeks from his 75th birthday. |
||
==Early life== |
==Early life== |
Revision as of 23:47, 2 May 2019
This article is currently being heavily edited because its subject has recently died. Information about their death and related events may change significantly and initial news reports may be unreliable. The most recent updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
Peter Mayhew | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 30 April 2019 Boyd, Texas, U.S. | (aged 74)
Nationality | |
Occupation(s) | Actor, author |
Years active | 1976–2016 |
Known for | Playing Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchise |
Height | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)[1] |
Spouse |
Angie Luker (m. 1999–2019) |
Peter W. Mayhew (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019)[2][3] was an English-American actor, best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series. He played the character in all of his live action appearances from the 1977 original to 2015's The Force Awakens before his retirement from the role. Mayhew died on April 30, 2019 at the age of 74, just weeks from his 75th birthday.
Early life
Peter Mayhew was born on May 19, 1944 in London, England and was raised in Barnes, Surrey.[4] His height is not a product of gigantism; "I don't have the big head", Mayhew said when asked about the cause of his height. [5][6] His peak height was 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).[7]
Career
Early work
Mayhew got his first acting job in 1976 when the producers of Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger discovered him from a photograph in a newspaper article about men with large feet, and cast him in the role of the minotaur.[8][9]
Star Wars
When casting his first Star Wars film, creator George Lucas needed a tall actor who could fit the role of the hairy alien Chewbacca. He originally had in mind 6-foot-6-inch (1.98 m) bodybuilder David Prowse, but Prowse chose to play Darth Vader. This led Lucas on a search in which he discovered Mayhew, who was working as an orderly in the radiology department of King's College Hospital, London, and said that all he had to do to be cast in the role of Chewbacca was stand up.[citation needed]
Mayhew has played Chewbacca in five Star Wars films: the original trilogy (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[10] He played the role in the 1978 television film Star Wars Holiday Special and in a 1980 appearance on The Muppet Show. He also recorded dialogue for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 3 finale episode "Wookiee Hunt".[11][12]
Mayhew played the role in commercials and hospital appearances for sick children, and made numerous appearances as Chewbacca outside the Star Wars films. Mayhew, appearing as Chewbacca, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Film Awards 1997. He was additionally honoured at the release of the new PlayStation Portable where he dressed as Chewbacca and held up the new PSP slim version.
He also made other media appearances outside of playing Chewbacca. He appeared on NBC's Identity, where his identity was based on the fact that he played Chewbacca and was a frequent guest in the early days of Slice of SciFi.
While Mayhew portrayed Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he was not in Star Wars: The Last Jedi but was listed in the credits as 'Chewbacca Consultant'.[13] Mayhew retired from playing Chewbacca due to health issues. Joonas Suotamo shared the portrayal of Chewbacca with Mayhew in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and then replaced him in subsequent Star Wars films.[14][15]
Other work
Outside Star Wars, Mayhew appeared in the 1978 horror film Terror, directed by Norman J. Warren. In the English version of Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy, he provided the voice for Susha. He also appeared in Yesterday Was a Lie.[16]
Books
Mayhew wrote two books for younger audience: Growing Up Giant,[17] which explains that being different is a strength instead of a weakness, and the anti-bullying book for children My Favorite Giant.[18]
Personal life
Mayhew lived with his wife Mary Angela ("Angie") in Boyd, Texas,[19] and was a business owner. He became a naturalised citizen of the United States in 2005 at a ceremony in Arlington, Texas.[20][21] In an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he joked that he did not get a medal at this ceremony either, a reference to the Star Wars scene in which Luke Skywalker and Han Solo get medals but Chewbacca does not. Mayhew noted in an MTV interview that although Chewbacca does not get a medal in the film, he does get the last line, when he roars.[22]
Mayhew underwent double knee replacement surgery in 2013.[23] In January 2015, Mayhew was briefly hospitalised near his home in Texas, due to a bout of pneumonia.[24][25] In July 2018, Mayhew announced via Twitter that he had successfully undergone unspecified spinal surgery to improve his mobility, and was recovering.[26]
On May 2, 2019 Mayhew's family announced he died at his home on April 30, just weeks from his 75th birthday.[27]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1977 | Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger | Minoton | Uncredited | [8] |
Star Wars | Chewbacca | [10] | ||
1978 | Terror | The Mechanic | ||
1980 | The Empire Strikes Back | Chewbacca | [10] | |
1982 | Return of the Ewok | Video short | ||
1983 | Return of the Jedi | [10] | ||
1987 | Star Tours | Short, uncredited | ||
2004 | Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy | Susha | Voice role; English dub |
[28] |
2004 | Comic Book: The Movie | Himself | ||
2005 | Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | Chewbacca | [10] | |
2008 | Yesterday Was a Lie | Dead Man | [16] | |
2015 | Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Chewbacca | Shared role with Joonas Suotamo | [10] |
2016 | Killer Ink | Uncle Clyde | ||
2017 | Star Wars: The Last Jedi | — | Chewbacca Consultant | [13] |
2018 | Solo: A Star Wars Story | [29] |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | Donny & Marie | Chewbacca | Episode # 3.1 |
1978 | Star Wars Holiday Special | TV Special | |
1980 | The Muppet Show | Episode: The Stars of Star Wars | |
1981 | Dark Towers | The Tall Knight | 5 episodes |
1985 | The Kenny Everett Television Show | Various | Episode #3.3 |
2011 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Chewbacca | Voice role; Episode: Wookiee Hunt |
Glee | Episode: Extraordinary Merry Christmas |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | Donny & Marie | Chewbacca | Episode # 3.1 |
1978 | Star Wars Holiday Special | TV Special | |
1980 | The Muppet Show | Episode: The Stars of Star Wars | |
1981 | Dark Towers | The Tall Knight | 5 episodes |
1985 | The Kenny Everett Television Show | Various | Episode #3.3 |
2011 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Chewbacca | Voice role; Episode: Wookiee Hunt |
Glee | Episode: Extraordinary Merry Christmas |
References
- ^ Casey, Dan (1988). 100 Things Star Wars Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (2018 ed.). USA: Triumph Books. p. 51. ISBN 9781633199835. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ "Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' franchise, dies at 74". NBC News. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ Mayhew, Peter (2 May 2019). "The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home.pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u". @TheWookieeRoars. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ "Peter Mayhew". Famous Birthdays. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ Quinn, Karl (12 April 2014). "Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew in Melbourne for Supernova fan convention". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ Vankin, Jonathan (20 January 2015). "'Star Wars' actor, Peter 'Chewbacca' Mayhew, 70, stricken with pneumonia – sends fans message from hospital". Inquisitr. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ "Peter Mayhew". PeterMayhew.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Clark, Mark (2015). Star Wars FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1-48036-018-1.
- ^ Hutchinson, Sean (19 May 2015). "15 Chewbacca Facts in Honour of Peter Mayhew's Birthday". Mental Floss. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Child, Ben (8 April 2014). "Original Chewbacca actor set to return in Star Wars: Episode VII". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Remaking Wookiee: Chewbacca Becomes a Character on 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'". The New York Times. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
- ^ "The Clone Wars Episode Guide: Wookiee Hunt". StarWars.com. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Star Wars: The Last Jedi - full credits". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Hawkes, Rebecca (6 January 2016). "The 'secret' Chewbacca: meet the 6'11" basketball star who shared the role with Peter Mayhew in Star Wars: The Force Awakens". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ Orange, B. Alan (6 January 2016). "Meet The New Chewbacca Actor in Star Wars: The Force Awakens". MovieWeb. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ a b Chilton, Martin (4 May 2011). "Ewoks, sex dolls and comedy: what happened to the Star Wars cast". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ Mayhew, Peter; Mayhew, Angie (19 November 2013). My Favorite Giant. One Mans Posse Production. ISBN 978-1-62098-826-8.
- ^ Goldman, Carrie (22 April 2011). "My Favorite Giant by Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)". ChicagoNow. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Malone, Megan (8 February 2012). "Chewbacca Making Dallas-Area Appearances". KXAS-TV. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Star Wars actor who played Chewbacca to become American citizen". The Canadian Press. 12 October 2005. p. 16.
- ^ "Chewbacca actor to become an American". Today. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "'Star Wars' actor, others pledge their allegiance". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 18 October 2005. p. B2.
- ^ "Wookie knee repair: 'Star Wars' actor Peter Mayhew hopes to walk again after Fort Worth surgery". The Dallas Morning News. 11 September 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Sacks, Ethan (19 January 2015). "'Star Wars' star Peter Mayhew hospitalized for pneumonia: report". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Parker, Ryan (19 January 2015). "'Star Wars' actor Peter Mayhew hospitalized with pneumonia". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Parker, Ryan (24 July 2018). "'Star Wars': Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Undergoes Spinal Surgery". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (2 May 2019). "Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in 'Star Wars,' Dies at 74". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=
(help) - ^ https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Peter-Mayhew/
- ^ Chichizola, Corey (15 May 2018). "The Advice Star Wars' Peter Mayhew Gave Solo's Chewbacca". CinemaBlend. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
External links
- Peter Mayhew at IMDb
- Star Wars bio
- Interview with Peter Mayhew on Slice of SciFi (starts at 36:55 of show)
- Interview with Peter Mayhew on Monster Island News
- Recent deaths
- 1944 births
- 2019 deaths
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- English male film actors
- English male television actors
- English male voice actors
- 20th-century English male actors
- 21st-century English male actors
- Male actors from London
- Writers from London
- Writers from Texas
- English emigrants to the United States
- People from Barnes, London
- People from Boyd, Texas