Peter Mayhew
Encyclopedia
Peter Mayhew is an English actor
known for playing the Wookiee
Chewbacca
in the Star Wars
movies. His peak height was 7 in 3 in (2.21 m) tall.
discovered Mayhew from a photograph in a newspaper article about men with large feet, and they cast him in the role of the minotaur
.
When casting roles for his first Star Wars film
, producer George Lucas
needed a tall actor who could fit the role for the beastly Chewbacca. He originally had in mind 6 ft 6 in bodybuilder David Prowse
, but Prowse was instead cast to play the role of Darth Vader
. This led Lucas on a search which turned up Mayhew, who says that all he had to do to be cast in the role of Chewbacca was stand up. He reprised his signature role during Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
, which was released in theaters on his birthday
in 2005.
Mayhew has played part of Chewbacca in four Star Wars films: the original Star Wars trilogy (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
. He also played the role in the 1978 television movie The Star Wars Holiday Special
, as well as in an appearance on The Muppet Show
. He also recorded dialogue as Chewbacca for the animated show The Clone Wars
, in the Season 3 finale episode called Wookie Hunt.
Mayhew also plays the role in commercials and for hospital appearances for sick children. When cast in the role he studied the movement of large animals at the zoo to come up with an authentic sense of movement for Chewbacca. When Mayhew grew ill in the shooting of The Empire Strikes Back a similarly tall stand in was used, but the actor could not match Mayhew's studied movement style and the scenes had to be re-shot upon Mayhew's recovery. Mayhew did not provide the voice of Chewbacca; that was created by the film's sound designer, Ben Burtt
, by mixing together the growls of different animals.
Mayhew has made numerous appearances as Chewbacca outside the Star Wars films. Mayhew as Chewbacca was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Movie Awards 1997
. He was also honored at the release of the new PlayStation Portable
where he dressed as Chewbacca and held up the new PSP slim version. Mayhew also reprised his role in the Disney theme park attraction
, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
.
He has also made media appearances without the Chewbacca costume. Mayhew appeared on NBC
's Identity
where his identity was based on the fact that he played Chewbacca
.
Outside Star Wars, Mayhew has appeared in the horror film Terror directed by Norman J. Warren
. He also voiced the character Susha in the English version of Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy.
, and is the owner of his own business. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States
on October 17, 2005. In an interview with the Fort Worth Star Telegram he jokingly noted that he didn't get a medal at this ceremony either, a reference to the Star Wars scene in which Luke and Han get medals but Chewbacca gets none. Mayhew did state in an MTV
interview that although he didn't get a medal in the movie, he did get the last line: one of Chewbacca's roars.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
known for playing the Wookiee
Wookiee
Wookiees are a species of bipeds in the Star Wars universe. The most notable Wookiee is Chewbacca, a companion to Han Solo.-Inspiration:...
Chewbacca
Chewbacca
Chewbacca, also known as Chewie, is a character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed by Peter Mayhew. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
movies. His peak height was 7 in 3 in (2.21 m) tall.
Career
He received his first acting job in 1976 when the producers of the movie Sinbad and the Eye of the TigerSinbad and the Eye of the Tiger
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger is a 1977 fantasy film, the third and final Sinbad film that Ray Harryhausen made for Columbia, after The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. The film was directed by Sam Wanamaker...
discovered Mayhew from a photograph in a newspaper article about men with large feet, and they cast him in the role of the minotaur
Minotaur
In Greek mythology, the Minotaur , as the Greeks imagined him, was a creature with the head of a bull on the body of a man or, as described by Roman poet Ovid, "part man and part bull"...
.
When casting roles for his first Star Wars film
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
, producer George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
needed a tall actor who could fit the role for the beastly Chewbacca. He originally had in mind 6 ft 6 in bodybuilder David Prowse
David Prowse
David Prowse, MBE is an English former bodybuilder, weightlifter and actor, most widely known for playing the role of Darth Vader in physical form. In Britain, he is also remembered as having played the Green Cross Code man...
, but Prowse was instead cast to play the role of Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
. This led Lucas on a search which turned up Mayhew, who says that all he had to do to be cast in the role of Chewbacca was stand up. He reprised his signature role during Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
, which was released in theaters on his birthday
Birthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
in 2005.
Mayhew has played part of Chewbacca in four Star Wars films: the original Star Wars trilogy (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...
, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth in terms of the series' internal chronology...
) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
. He also played the role in the 1978 television movie The Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars Holiday Special is a 1978 American television special set in the Star Wars galaxy. It was one of the first official Star Wars spin-offs, and was directed by Steve Binder. The show was broadcast in its entirety only once, in the United States and Canada, November 17, 1978, on the U.S...
, as well as in an appearance on The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
. He also recorded dialogue as Chewbacca for the animated show The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)
-Production:At April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III, Lucas stated that "we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network; we probably won't start that project for another year." In July 2005, pre-production had begun on the series, according to Steve...
, in the Season 3 finale episode called Wookie Hunt.
Mayhew also plays the role in commercials and for hospital appearances for sick children. When cast in the role he studied the movement of large animals at the zoo to come up with an authentic sense of movement for Chewbacca. When Mayhew grew ill in the shooting of The Empire Strikes Back a similarly tall stand in was used, but the actor could not match Mayhew's studied movement style and the scenes had to be re-shot upon Mayhew's recovery. Mayhew did not provide the voice of Chewbacca; that was created by the film's sound designer, Ben Burtt
Ben Burtt
Benjamin "Ben" Burtt, Jr. is an American sound designer who has worked on various films including: the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film series, Invasion of the Body Snatchers , E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , and WALL-E...
, by mixing together the growls of different animals.
Mayhew has made numerous appearances as Chewbacca outside the Star Wars films. Mayhew as Chewbacca was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Movie Awards 1997
MTV Movie Awards 1997
The 1997 MTV Movie Awards were held on June 10, 1997 and hosted by Mike Myers. Performers included Jewel, Bush, and En Vogue. This year also eliminated the categories of "Most Desirable Female" and "Most Desirable Male."-Performers:*Bush — "Cold Contagious"...
. He was also honored at the release of the new PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
where he dressed as Chewbacca and held up the new PSP slim version. Mayhew also reprised his role in the Disney theme park attraction
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the segment of The Walt Disney Company that conceives, builds, and manages the company's theme parks and holiday resorts, as well as a variety of additional family-oriented leisure enterprises...
, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is an attraction located at Disneyland Park and at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is also set to open at Tokyo Disneyland in Spring 2013. Set in the fictional Star Wars universe, The Adventures Continue updates the two parks' original Star Tours attractions...
.
He has also made media appearances without the Chewbacca costume. Mayhew appeared on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Identity
Identity (game show)
Identity is a reality/game show, hosted by Penn Jillette and produced by Reveille where contestants could win money by matching 12 strangers one-by-one to phrases about their identities.-Format:A contestant is introduced to twelve strangers...
where his identity was based on the fact that he played Chewbacca
Chewbacca
Chewbacca, also known as Chewie, is a character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed by Peter Mayhew. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
.
Outside Star Wars, Mayhew has appeared in the horror film Terror directed by Norman J. Warren
Norman J. Warren
Norman John Warren, born 25 June 1942 in London, is a British film director best known for such 1970s horror films as Satan’s Slave , Prey and Terror...
. He also voiced the character Susha in the English version of Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy.
Personal life
Mayhew now lives in Granbury, TexasGranbury, Texas
Granbury is a city in Hood County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,718. It is the county seat of Hood County and the principal city of the Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, and is the owner of his own business. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on October 17, 2005. In an interview with the Fort Worth Star Telegram he jokingly noted that he didn't get a medal at this ceremony either, a reference to the Star Wars scene in which Luke and Han get medals but Chewbacca gets none. Mayhew did state in an MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
interview that although he didn't get a medal in the movie, he did get the last line: one of Chewbacca's roars.
External links
- Star Wars bio
- Interview with Peter Mayhew on Slice of SciFi (starts at 36:55 of show)
- Interview with Peter Mayhew on Monster Island News
- Star Wars Films at 20th Century Fox
- Star Wars Films at 20th Century Fox, UK