---
name: "Peter Mayhew"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/peter-mayhew"
fi1m_id: "peter-mayhew"
imdb_id: "nm0562679"
tmdb_id: 24343
wikidata_id: "Q560552"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "19 May 1944"
died: "30 April 2019"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 80
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-09-18T11:58:05.908123+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Peter Mayhew

## Identity

Peter Mayhew

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/peter-mayhew
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** peter-mayhew
- **IMDb ID:** nm0562679
- **TMDB ID:** 24343
- **Wikidata ID:** Q560552
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q560552, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562679/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/24343

Actor. Born 19 May 1944 in Barnes, London, England, UK. Died 30 April 2019.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 19 May 1944, Barnes, London, England, UK
- **Died:** 30 April 2019
- **Active:** 1977–2015
- **Also known as:** Peter William Mayhew
- **Frequently works with:** [Carrie Fisher](https://film.one/person/carrie-fisher.md), [Harrison Ford](https://film.one/person/harrison-ford.md), [Mark Hamill](https://film.one/person/mark-hamill.md), [Anthony Daniels](https://film.one/person/anthony-daniels.md), [Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/person/billy-dee-williams.md), [Gary Kurtz](https://film.one/person/gary-kurtz.md), [George Lucas](https://film.one/person/george-lucas.md), [Howard G. Kazanjian](https://film.one/person/howard-g-kazanjian.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 80, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 88 (1), 1980s 84 (2), 2000s 67 (1), 2010s 77 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 70 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 5, Adventure 5, Science Fiction 5
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,805m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q560552, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562679/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/24343

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Empire Strikes Back*](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md) (92), [*Star Wars*](https://film.one/film/star-wars.md) (88), [*Return of the Jedi*](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md) (75)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Peter Mayhew

> 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.

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.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, theguardian.com, bbc.co.uk.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* (2015), Fi1m 77, as Chewbacca — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005), Fi1m 67, as Chewbacca — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md)
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Fi1m 75, as Chewbacca — [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)
- *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Fi1m 92, as Chewbacca — [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md)
- *Star Wars* (1977), Fi1m 88, as Chewbacca — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars.md)

## Complete filmography (18)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* (2015), as Chewbacca — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens.md)
- *Yesterday Was a Lie* (2009), as Dead Man
- *Glee* (2009), series, as Chewbacca — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/glee.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005), as Chewbacca — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md)
- *The Story of Star Wars* (2004), as Chewbacca (archive footage)
- *Comic Book: The Movie* (2004), as Peter Mayhew
- *Comic Book Villains* (2002), as Peter Mayhew
- *The Very Best of the Muppet Show* (1999), as Special Guest Star / Chewbacca
- *Return of the Ewok* (1994), as Chewbacca
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), as Chewbacca — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)
- *The Kenny Everett Television Show* (1982), series, as Various
- *Dark Towers* (1981), series, Actor
- *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), as Chewbacca — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md)
- *Terror* (1979), as The Mechanic
- *The Star Wars Holiday Special* (1978), as Chewbacca
- *Star Wars* (1977), as Chewbacca — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars.md)
- *Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger* (1977), as Minoton
- *The Muppet Show* (1976), series, as Chewbacca

## Gallery

- ![Peter Mayhew](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-a3cca52d1eca.jpg) Peter Mayhew — Florida Supercon, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Peter_Mayhew_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![C. Andrew Nelson and Peter Mayhew at Super-Con 2009 in San Jose, California.](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-da9df274dcc7.jpg) C. Andrew Nelson and Peter Mayhew at Super-Con 2009 in San Jose, California. — BrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/C._Andrew_Nelson_%26_Peter_Mayhew_at_Super-Con_2009.JPG/1280px-C._Andrew_Nelson_%26_Peter_Mayhew_at_Super-Con_2009.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![2013 "Krewe of Chewbacchus" Carnival parade, New Orleans. Lined up on Architect Street before start of parade. King Peter Mayhew has arrived](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-c7dc8dd7e512.jpg) 2013 "Krewe of Chewbacchus" Carnival parade, New Orleans. Lined up on Architect Street before start of parade. King Peter Mayhew has arrived — Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Chewbacchus13_Lineup_Architect_Street_Peter_Mayhew.JPG/1280px-Chewbacchus13_Lineup_Architect_Street_Peter_Mayhew.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![2013 "Krewe of Chewbacchus" Carnival parade, New Orleans. Lined up on Architect Street before start of parade. Arrival of king Peter Mayhew](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-d35cd2e313de.jpg) 2013 "Krewe of Chewbacchus" Carnival parade, New Orleans. Lined up on Architect Street before start of parade. Arrival of king Peter Mayhew — Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Chewbacchus13_Lineup_Architect_Street_Peter_Mayhew_Arrives.JPG/1280px-Chewbacchus13_Lineup_Architect_Street_Peter_Mayhew_Arrives.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Peter Mayhew](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-5a7bb54cdf28.jpg) Peter Mayhew — Image via TMDB
- ![Peter Mayhew](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-68561739eb9b.jpg) Peter Mayhew — Image via TMDB
- ![Peter Mayhew](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-044eab6827b2.jpg) Peter Mayhew — Image via TMDB
- ![Course of the Force 2012 - Peter Mayhew aka Chewbacca signs for fans](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-ae89138a3bea.jpg) Course of the Force 2012 - Peter Mayhew aka Chewbacca signs for fans — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Course_of_the_Force_2012_-_Peter_Mayhew_aka_Chewbacca_signs_for_fans_%2814134977686%29.jpg/1280px-Course_of_the_Force_2012_-_Peter_Mayhew_aka_Chewbacca_signs_for_fans_%2814134977686%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Peter Mayhew, who played the character Chewbacca in "Star Wars," poses for a picture as he signs autographs during an event at the Warrior and Family Support Ce](https://film.one/media/person/102251/gallery-d883e69825d4.jpg) Peter Mayhew, who played the character Chewbacca in "Star Wars," poses for a picture as he signs autographs during an event at the Warrior and Family Support Ce — Linda Hosek, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Defense.gov_photo_essay_111110-D-0653H-019.jpg/1280px-Defense.gov_photo_essay_111110-D-0653H-019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/peter-mayhew