Current Chewbacca actor remembers ‘gracious’ Peter Mayhew

The late actor Peter Mayhew (left) with Suotamo—INSTAGRAM

Finnish actor Joonas Suotamo, who plays Chewbacca in the newer “Star Wars” movies, shared his thoughts on the original Wookiee actor Peter Mayhew’s death late last month in a series of Instagram posts.

“Devastated to hear about the passing of a dear friend and mentor, the great Peter Mayhew,” said the former basketball player in a caption for a photo of him and Mayhew. “Peter’s warm welcome when I came aboard as his double in ‘The Force Awakens’ meant so much to me. Studying the character he helped create was always a daunting task, but one that was made easier by his tutelage and kindness as we sought to bring Chewbacca to life for a new generation.”

Joonas Suotamo

The 32-year-old actor further described his teacher and predecessor: “He was an absolutely one-of-a-kind gentleman and a legend of unrivaled class, and I will miss him.”

The similarly towering actor—whose height is 6’11”—has since taken over the role of Chewbacca in “The Last Jedi” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

In another post, also a picture with the late actor, Suotamo told his fans, “Since the news broke… I’ve read so many of your comments, and I feel the palpable pain of losing one of the greats. He was infinitely kind, honest, gracious.”—OLIVER PULUMBARIT