Actor and Author. Mayhew was a 7 foot 3 inch actor who will best be remembered for portraying Chewbacca in five of the 'Star Wars' films, playing the character in the 1977 original to 2015's 'The Force Awakens'. In 1976, he was working as a hospital attendant in London when he was discovered by producer Charles H. Schneer and cast in Ray Harryhausen’s 'Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger'. The following year, he was cast as Chewbacca, the 200-year-old Wookiee in George Lucas' 'Star Wars'. Lucas originally cast bodybuilder David Prowse for the role, but Prowse decided to play Darth Vader instead and Lucas went with the even taller Mayhew, who would go on to reprise the role in 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980), 'Return of the Jedi' (1983), 'Revenge of the Sith' (2005) and 'The Force Awakens' (2015). Among other films he had roles in were 'Terror' (1978), 'Comic Book: The Movie' (2004) and 'Yesterday Was a Lie' (2008). On TV, he made appearances on 'Donny & Marie', 'Star Wars Holiday Special'. 'The Muppet Show', 'Dark Towers' and 'Glee'. After retiring from acting, Mayhew remained active on the 'Star Wars' convention circuit and wrote two books, 'Growing Up Giant' and 'My Favorite Giant'.
Actor and Author. Mayhew was a 7 foot 3 inch actor who will best be remembered for portraying Chewbacca in five of the 'Star Wars' films, playing the character in the 1977 original to 2015's 'The Force Awakens'. In 1976, he was working as a hospital attendant in London when he was discovered by producer Charles H. Schneer and cast in Ray Harryhausen’s 'Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger'. The following year, he was cast as Chewbacca, the 200-year-old Wookiee in George Lucas' 'Star Wars'. Lucas originally cast bodybuilder David Prowse for the role, but Prowse decided to play Darth Vader instead and Lucas went with the even taller Mayhew, who would go on to reprise the role in 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980), 'Return of the Jedi' (1983), 'Revenge of the Sith' (2005) and 'The Force Awakens' (2015). Among other films he had roles in were 'Terror' (1978), 'Comic Book: The Movie' (2004) and 'Yesterday Was a Lie' (2008). On TV, he made appearances on 'Donny & Marie', 'Star Wars Holiday Special'. 'The Muppet Show', 'Dark Towers' and 'Glee'. After retiring from acting, Mayhew remained active on the 'Star Wars' convention circuit and wrote two books, 'Growing Up Giant' and 'My Favorite Giant'.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Inscription
"IF I HAVE SEEN FURTHER IT IS BY STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS." - ISAAC NEWTON
Loving Husband
ACTOR
GENTLE GIANT
LOYAL FRIEND
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