Peter Mayhew, a towering figure in the world of cinema, was born on May 19, 1944, in Barnes, London, England, to Constance Elizabeth (Yeates) and Walter Henry Mayhew. His life took a dramatic turn when he was spotted by film producer Charles H. Schneer at King's College Hospital in London, where Mayhew was working as a hospital attendant.
Schneer was struck by Mayhew's imposing stature, which literally stood out above the crowd, and cast him in the role of a giant in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977),a special effects film directed by Ray Harryhausen.
A year later, Mayhew received another life-changing offer. He was approached to play the role of Chewbacca, the loyal 200-year-old Wookiee, in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). This iconic role would forever alter the course of Mayhew's life.
Following the original Star Wars trilogy, Mayhew continued to make appearances in television commercials, donning the Wookiee costume. He also became a regular fixture on the Star Wars convention circuit, signing autographs and connecting with fans.
In 1997, the 20th-anniversary celebrations of Star Wars were marked with the release of the "Special Edition" and a resurgence of fan interest. Mayhew capitalized on this renewed enthusiasm by writing two books, "Growing Up Giant" and "My Favorite Giant", and establishing the Peter Mayhew Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 charity organization.
Throughout his life, Mayhew remained a beloved figure in the Star Wars universe, cherished by fans for his larger-than-life presence and his dedication to the franchise.
