RIP, Chewie (Peter).

There are few characters in cinematic history that you could identify from a lineup of silhouettes. In the Star Wars films, the mighty Chewbacca is instantly recognizable. 

It was announced today that Peter Mayhew, the actor responsible for bringing this character to life, passed away on April 30th at his home in Northern Texas, surrounded by his family. He was 74 years old. Peter had a recent surgery to help with mobility issues, something that forced him to retire playing the iconic character after appearing in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Standing at a commanding height of 7' 2", he openly and continually embraced the fandom of the beloved character that he breathed life into when Star Wars: A New Hope premiered in 1977.