Sad news - actor Peter Mayhew, who has played Chewbacca in 6 of the Star Wars movies, has passed on.
He died of a heart attack on 30 April 2019 at the age of 74.
One of the most memorable characters of the Star Wars universe, Chewbacca, a 200-year-old Wookie, is the best friend and first mate of Harrison Ford's Han Solo. The pair met during their escape from Imperial captivity on planet Minban and have worked together since.
In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Ford said: "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 its 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…. "
Enjoy watching Chewbacca's best scene-stealing moments: