Another sad day for Star Wars fans across the world as news breaks about the death of actor, Peter Mayhew. Peter, of course, was the man who brought Chewbacca to life. His mannerisms, movements and genstrues all an identical part of the character, but also a glimpse into the man himself.
As Chewbacca, many of us learned just what a true friend was. Loyalty. Honor. Compassion. Strength. Bravery. Chewie had all of these traits. He was the kind of guy you wanted watching your back, and if he was your friend, he did just that.Many children giggled with glee at the opportunity to dress up as the character in 1978 when Ben Cooper released the Chewbacca costume and mask set. For that moment in time, we not only could act like Chewie, but look like him too. To this day, many fans continue to cosplay as the character, not because it's fun to dress up, which it is, but because Chewie expresses the kind of person they want to be. I can't help but feel like all those characteristics I listed above weren't just a character, but also Peter Mayhew.
Though we as fans started out loving Chewbacca as a character, over the decades since the first film we've been privileged enough to also get to know the man behind the mask. Be it through watching interviews, reading stories, or for those of us lucky enough, to meet him in person.
Peter Mayhew will be deeply missed. Not only by fans, but those who worked so closely with him for all these years. It will be odd to go to any kind of Star Wars convention and not see Peter there. At least he'll be there in spirit.
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