Refresh for updates… Hollywood and the rest of the galaxy are remembering Peter Mayhew, the original Chewbacca actor who died Tuesday at 74. He was best known for playing iconic hairy Wookiee in the 1977-83 Star Wars trilogy, and two other films in the historic franchise.
Here is a sampling of tributes to the man behind the “walking carpet”:
Harrison Ford weighed in with a statement issued by his representatives:
“Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character.
These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience.
Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to it’s continued success and he was devoted to them. I and millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all. My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children. Rest easy, my dear friend…”.
“A sad day for millions of fans,” wrote George Takei, who voiced the Neimoidian General Lok Durd in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
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