Peter Mayhew
Acting
Biography
Peter Mayhew (May 19, 1944 – April 30, 2019) was a British-American actor, best known for playing Chewbacca in the Star Wars films. Mayhew was born on 19 May 1944 in Barnes, Surrey, where he was also raised. His height was a product not of gigantism — "I don't have the big head" — but of an overactive pituitary gland secondary to a genetic disease called Marfan Syndrome. The overactive pituitary gland was treated successfully in his mid-teens. His peak height was 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m)
Born: May 19, 1944
Place of Birth: Barnes, London, England, UK
Known For
When Star Wars Ruled the World
A VH1 television special wherein the cast discuss the making of the films and what made the franchise a phenomenon.
Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi
Go behind the scenes — and into the costumes — as production footage from Return of the Jedi is interspersed with vintage monster movie clips in this in-depth exploration of the painstaking techniques utilized by George Lucas to create the classic creatures and characters seen in the film.
SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back
Hosted by Mark Hamill, this revealing documentary offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into the amazing special effects that transformed George Lucas’ vision for Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back into reality!
The Empire Strikes Back
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
Star Wars
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
The Making of The Empire Strikes Back
Even the most devout Star Wars fan might not know that filmmaker and journalist Michel Parbot was once given unprecedented access to the set, stars, and filmmakers behind The Empire Strikes Back. The resulting work, The Making of The Empire Strikes Back, has apparently never been commercially released. Most of the footage has been lost, but 15 minutes has circulated online in recent years. Now, the 1 hour cut of Michel Parbot’s lost documentary has been found.
The Muppet Show
Go behind the curtains as Kermit the Frog and his muppet friends struggle to put on a weekly variety show.
Return of the Jedi
Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, and the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
From the earliest versions of the script to the blockbuster debuts, explore the creation of the Star Wars Trilogy.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.
Filmography
as Chewbacca
as Self
as Himself
as Dead Man
as Chewbacca
as Self (uncredited)
as Chewbacca
as Self
as Chewbacca (archive footage)
as Peter Mayhew
as Peter Mayhew
as Special Guest Star / Chewbacca
as Chewbacca
as Various
as Chewbacca
as Chewbacca
as Chewbacca
as The Mechanic
as Chewbacca
as Self (uncredited)
as Chewbacca
as Minoton
as Chewbacca