The Star Wars family lost another member on April 30, 2019 when Peter Mayhew passed away. The Chewbacca actor’s family broke the news on May 2, stating that he died at home surrounded by family. Mayhew was 74.

The English-American actor was born on May 19, 1944 in Barnes, Surrey. Producer Charles H. Schneer discovered Mayhew while he was working as a hospital attendant in London, and he was soon cast in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. A year later when George Lucas was searching for a tall actor for a part in Star Wars, the 7’3” Mayhew secured the part of Chewbacca, the Wookie copilot and best friend of Han Solo.

Mayhew became an integral character in Star Wars, playing one of the heroes in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He appeared in the 1978 Holiday Special, had a role in 2005’s Revenge of the Sith, and played his beloved character a final time in The Force Awakens.

Outside of the film franchise, he additionally portrayed Chewbacca on the Donny and Marie show, The Muppet Show, The Clone Wars, Glee, for the video game Star Wars: Battlefront, and for commercials and hospital visits to see sick children.

Along with his work in Sinbad, Mayhew’s performances outside of Star Wars included Terror, the TV show Hazell, he played the Tall Knight in Dark Towers, appeared as himself in Comic Book: The Movie, he was in Yesterday Was a Lie, and his final role was in 2016’s Killer Ink.

Mayhew shared his optimism by writing two books – Growing Up Giant, about the strengths of being different, and My Favorite Giant, an anti-bullying children’s book.

A regular on the convention circuit, Mayhew attended many fan events, meeting excited fans who gushed over their love for Chewie and Star Wars, some even imitating the Wookie’s speech.

He is survived by his wife Mary Angela and their children.