The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Star Wars legend Ford fondly remembers Chewbacca actor
Harrison Ford has fondly remembered the late Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew, saying he performed the role of Chewbacca with “real dignity and class”.
London-born Mayhew played the Wookiee warrior in five Star Wars films, most recently in 2015’s The Force Awakens.
He died at his home in Texas in April at the age of 74.
Ford, who played the character of Han Solo in Star Wars, appeared on a US chat show and said 7ft 2ins Mayhew fought health issues to play Chewbacca.
Ford, 76, said: “He was a really nice man. And he had a hard time physically, it was really hard for him to do what he did for us, for all of us.
“And he did it with real dignity and class. I miss him.”
Ford also discussed another beloved film franchise he starred in.
He has played archaeologist Indiana Jones in four movies, beginning with 1981’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
Asked if he ever imagined the movies would go on to be as popular as they were, Ford said: “I was hoping. You don’t go into these things anticipating the levels of success they achieved.”