Star Wars fans are in mourning tonight as the original actor behind everyone’s favorite walking carpet Chewbacca, Peter Mayhew, is now one with the Force. He was 74.
“The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away,” representatives announced through his Twitter account this evening. “He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home.”
Star Wars: The Old Republic players are expressing their condolences on the game’s forums and discussing a memorial service akin to the one held for Carrie Fisher in 2017.
Over on Star Wars Galaxies emulator SWG Legends, developers have already erected a blue glowy version of Chewie in the place where moviegoers first met him: Mos Eisley, Tatooine. As of this evening, there’s already a mass of players gathered to pay their respects at the impromptu memorial.
On Empire in Flames, there’s another Chewie blue glowy.
Rest in peace, hero. pic.twitter.com/mYQV35bUtT
— Empire in Flames (@EmpireInFlames) May 3, 2019
RIP Chewie.
Rest in peace to our original favourite Wookiee in the entire galaxy the well-loved Peter Mayhew. May the force be with you, always. #SWGLegends #StarWarsGalaxies pic.twitter.com/o5Iuh4j8Wu
— SWG:Legends (@SWGLegendsStaff) May 2, 2019
It only felt right for us to honour such an iconic actor & Star Wars character. You can visit our Peter Mayhew memorial directly outside of the Mos Eisley Starport. (Players are currently gathering to pay their respects) May the force be with you, /Wookiee Roar.#SWGLegends pic.twitter.com/YLjT4aOOCe
— SWG:Legends (@SWGLegendsStaff) May 3, 2019
