According the The Hollywood Reporter, Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew has died at the age of 74. His family shared the news via his official Twitter account earlier this evening. He passed away on April 30th in his North Texas home, surrounded by family.
Mayhew played the 200 year-old Wookiee in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge of the Sith (2005) and The Force Awakens (2015). He didn't create the voice for the character, but his 7-foot 2-inch frame defined the physicality of the role. And his blue eyes gave Chewbacca his soul.
Mayhew had struggled with health issues for years. His declining mobility forced him to limit his scenes in The Force Awakens to those where Chewbacca was seated. Finnish actor and former professional basketball player Joonas Suotamo handled the standing and running scenes while training with Mayhew to take over the role permanently with 2017's The Last Jedi.
Peter Mayhew was a staple at conventions and was always a great ambassador for Star Wars.