Angie Mayhew, Widow Of Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew, Has Died

On Saturday, The Peter Mayhew Foundation took to social media to announce that Angie Mayhew, the wife of late Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew, had passed away.

The 7’2” actor was best known for playing the beloved "Star Wars" character Chewbacca from the 1977 original “Star Wars: A New Hope” to 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” where he ceded the role to 6’11” Finnish actor Joonas Suotamo, who took over the role for the rest of the sequel trilogy. Mayhew sadly passed away in April 2019.

The Peter Foundation took to social media to share a photo of the late couple posing together for a photograph.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Angie Mayhew. After complications from a double heart valve replacement surgery, she has joined her beloved, Peter Mayhew, in the stars. Her kindness, love, and generosity will always be remembered," read the message posted to both Twitter and Instagram.

Many Star Wars fans expressed shock and surprise at her sudden passing. “When they used to do Star Wars weekends at Disney Hollywood studios in Orlando, she was always around in the background quietly being supportive of Peter,” one fan recalled. “It was especially important before he had his hips and knees replaced. I'm sad for our loss but grateful she's not in pain.”

“I'm sorry for your loss. I have always been a big fan of Star Wars so obviously was a big fan of Peter's. I actually met him once at Disney World,” another follower shared. “I love the children books he wrote and the charity that created, but I'm sorry to hear about his wife. Love to the family.”

Earlier this year, Angie had made headlines as she struggled to get her late husband's Star Wars memorabilia returned from an auction. She wanted the items, which had been put up for auction without her knowledge, to be put on display at Holocron Toys for all Star Wars fans to enjoy free of charge.

Peter and Angie tied the knot in 1999. Shortly after, the established actor left his home in Yorkshire in Northern England for Texas. In January 2012, Peter received approval to start The Peter Mayhew Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to the alleviation of disease, pain, suffering, and the financial toll brought on by life's traumatic events.

The charity provides resources directly to children and adults in need and assists numerous charitable organizations, including the Star Wars costuming groups the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, to provide support where needed.

Around Thanksgiving 2022, the Peter Mayhew Foundation shared a photo of the staff posing outside of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. “We are so thankful for these amazing people! Last Thursday our team departed San Antonio, Texas with a sixteen foot box truck filled with Star Wars toys,” they wrote in the caption.

“We partnered with @official501st to drop these toys at Children’s Hospitals in Dallas, Albuquerque, Tucson, Phoenix, and ended at @chocchildrens in Orange, CA where we were joined by thekatyo from The Mandalorian and Aayla Secura herself: @amyallen_jedi,” they added. “All made possible because of the continued toy donations from @HolocronToyStore. Thank you!”

The last tweet from the Peter Mayhew Foundation came on March 30, where they showed Mandalorians and other costumed figures appearing at a Holocron Toys event in Fort Worth, Texas.

Only a few days earlier, Angie posted with Star Wars actor Ahmed Best. Although Best was best known for playing Jar Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy, he recently reappeared in the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, the Jedi responsible for saving Grogu.