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How Peter Mayhew became Chewbacca
By Helen Bushby
50 minutes ago
The London-born son of a policeman was diagnosed with gigantism, a condition that causes excessive growth, aged eight. Mayhew also had a related genetic tissue disorder called Marfan Syndrome.
He went on to reach a towering 7ft 2in (2.18m) and started his working life in engineering. But, according to his charity foundation, he felt "more fulfilled" working as an orderly at King's College Hospital in the capital.
He was spotted for his film career by chance, when a local reporter published a photograph of him. It was seen by the producers of Ray Harryhausen's action fantasy Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. He had exactly what Star Wars creator George Lucas needed when he was casting Chewbacca - height. Lucas had initially asked Dave Prowse, but he bagged Darth Vader instead.
Mayhew was perfect for the role of Chewie, the loveable, even cuddly sidekick to Harrison Ford's intergalactic smuggler Han Solo. Han, the pilot of the Millennium Falcon, saved the Wookiee from imprisonment, sparking their life-long friendship.
More>>>>>>
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48147012
By Helen Bushby
50 minutes ago
The London-born son of a policeman was diagnosed with gigantism, a condition that causes excessive growth, aged eight. Mayhew also had a related genetic tissue disorder called Marfan Syndrome.
He went on to reach a towering 7ft 2in (2.18m) and started his working life in engineering. But, according to his charity foundation, he felt "more fulfilled" working as an orderly at King's College Hospital in the capital.
He was spotted for his film career by chance, when a local reporter published a photograph of him. It was seen by the producers of Ray Harryhausen's action fantasy Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. He had exactly what Star Wars creator George Lucas needed when he was casting Chewbacca - height. Lucas had initially asked Dave Prowse, but he bagged Darth Vader instead.
Mayhew was perfect for the role of Chewie, the loveable, even cuddly sidekick to Harrison Ford's intergalactic smuggler Han Solo. Han, the pilot of the Millennium Falcon, saved the Wookiee from imprisonment, sparking their life-long friendship.
More>>>>>>
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48147012
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