Peter Mayhew gave Chewbacca a recognisable temperament through the way he moved, making his size reassuring. We value the warmth and clarity of that performance, without pretending one role proves everything about an actor.
Fi1m perspective
Chewbacca lumbers, and Peter Mayhew makes the walk tell us what sort of creature we are dealing with. He studied bears, gorillas and monkeys at the zoo to develop the gait, giving the costume a consistent way of moving. In Star Wars (1977), that clarity helps a crowded adventure stay easy to follow. We warmed to Chewbacca because Mayhew makes his size reassuring: here is someone capable of looking after the others.
George Lucas gets an economical physical performance from Mayhew, alongside Harrison Ford as Han Solo. The finished character also depends on sounds created afterwards from animal recordings; Mayhew did not provide the voice we hear. We should not give him sole credit for everything Chewbacca makes us feel. His contribution is specific and substantial: the movements give those noises a body we believe in, despite the costume concealing so much of the actor.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) expands the role under Irvin Kershner, whose darker adventure makes the people worth worrying about. Mayhew's protective manner suits that change, since looking after others is already central to his Chewbacca. We prefer the film to Star Wars, though its solemn lessons occasionally slow matters down. Both films have their stiffness, particularly the spoken exchanges in Star Wars; Mayhew's clear physical acting is welcome when speech becomes such hard work.
His original trilogy appearances continued through Return of the Jedi (1983), followed by returns in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). The latter was his final live-action performance as Chewbacca. There was little other screen work, so these films tell us little about what he might have done with a different part. Begin with Star Wars and watch the walk; familiarity can make acting this clear easy to overlook.
Biography
Peter Mayhew (19 May 1944 – 30 April 2019) was a British-American actor best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series.
Born in Barnes, Surrey, England, Mayhew worked as a hospital orderly before entering acting. A newspaper photograph of him led to his casting as the Minoton in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977). He was subsequently cast as Chewbacca after meeting director George Lucas; he studied animal movements at London Zoo to develop the character's gait. He played the role in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).
Mayhew appeared as Chewbacca in television shows including The Muppet Show (1976) and Glee (2009). He later lived in Texas, became a US citizen and wrote children's books.
