PETER MAYHEW
This resident of Yorkshire, England, was working as a hospital attendant at the King's College Hospital in London when film producer Charles Schneer saw his photo, literally standing above the crowd around him. Schneer cast him in "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger", Ray Harryhausen's newest special effects film in 1976. It was just over a year later, that he was asked if he wanted to do another role. Mayhew was told it was for a big hairy beast. It was the role of Chewbacca, the faithful 200 year-old Wookie in "Star Wars" and his life was changed forever. Following the original Star Wars trilogy films Mayhew has done some commercials in the wookie costume. He has made a lot of appearances at Children's Homes and Hospitals. Since 1991 he has also been running various companies. With the money from the films, he started a bed frame company. It was a nice little business, but he closed it down in order to start the tour circuit as he didn't have time for both. In 1997 the twentieth anniversary celebrations of Star Wars was announced with the release of the "Special Edition" and all the conventions started. He was involved with the convention -- the Men Behind the Masks. He is now active on the "Star Wars" convention circuit where he signs autographs, talks to fans and keeps their interest up. He enjoys playing golf with his friends as a hobby if he has the time for it.
Prior to staring as Chewbacca in th Star Wars trilogy, Peter Mayhew was an orderly at London's King's College Hospital.
Chewbacca won a Lifetime Acheivement award at the MTV Movie Awards.
Actor - filmography
(1980s) (1970s)
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) .... Chewbacca
... aka Return of the Jedi (1983) (USA: short title)
... aka Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi (1997) (USA: video box title)- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) .... Chewbacca
... aka Empire Strikes Back, The (1980) (USA: short title)
... aka Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1997) (USA: video box title)
- Terror (1979) .... Tall Mechanic
- Star Wars Holiday Special, The (1978) (TV) .... Chewbacca
- Making of 'Star Wars', The (1977) (V) .... Himself as Chewbacca
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) (uncredited) .... Minoton
... aka Sinbad at the World's End (1977)- Star Wars (1977) .... Chewbacca
... aka Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1997) (USA: video box title)
... aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) (USA: new title)
Filmography as: Actor, Notable TV guest appearances
- "Light Lunch" (1997) playing "Himself" 1998
- "Muppet Show, The" (1976) playing "Chewbacca"(episode # 4.17) 1/15/1980
- "Hazell" (1978) playing "Giant" in episode: "Hazell & the Big Sleep" 1979
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO TREK EXPO 2006
