Peter Mayhew quotes

Peter Mayhew was a British actor, best known for playing Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series. His towering height and gentle presence made the Wookiee character beloved by fans worldwide. He devoted much of his life to connecting with the Star Wars community at conventions and charitable events. Here are 24 of his quotes:

After my own for instance, my favourite is Princess Leia.

Peter Mayhew

I think that Star Wars revolutionized not only sci-fi movies, but also the entire industry in the way that things are done.

Peter Mayhew

With Star Wars fans, there's so much enthusiasm, and it's a completely different generation now.

Peter Mayhew

It was amazing that during rehearsals, without any of the costume on, the character was there complete. It just happened. Half the time, I didn't know I was doing it.

Peter Mayhew

A whole new generation is looking at the videos, and going to the video shop and buying the re-release of the complete trilogy, which you can buy at a reasonable price.

Peter Mayhew

Doing the Muppet Show you forget about conventional filming.

Peter Mayhew

George has only got to ring me. His imagination is so wonderful, I'd do any character he might create.

Peter Mayhew

When you've got eight or nine or ten cables running around with someone trying to operate them, it's too much.

Peter Mayhew

Never having played Chess before, it was most interesting to be playing the game with no pieces in front of me. But I still knew how to stroke my hair when I won.

Peter Mayhew

I can go out in public without being recognized. If I want to be recognized in public, it will happen.

Peter Mayhew

George Lucas puts those types of characters in for the kids. Same with Jar Jar.

Peter Mayhew

I think by that time I knew where Chewie was going, and he left me to do what was called for, because the character had been well established. You know, it was like putting on a second skin by that time.

Peter Mayhew

Richard Marquand, on Jedi, was very much an actor's director.

Peter Mayhew

I enjoy kids, always have. It's wonderful to see their reactions, to see their faces light up when you look at the pictures because most kids have been brought up on Star Wars from their parents. It's just a crazy thing, but it's wonderful to see the kids and they have fun. It's one of those things, they either believe it and go, "wow, you really played Chewbacca?” And I say, "Yes.” Having big hands is an ice-breaker. Because you put one hand up against their little hand and see the expression on their face. Amazing.

Peter Mayhew

I've always said, if I get tired of it, I won't do it. And I still enjoy it, and what's there to get tired of? I always think that if people don't recognize me, that's when the problem starts. Right? That's my way of looking at it. It's great fun. I enjoy it. As I say, I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it.

Peter Mayhew

But, apart from that, there was very little on underneath the suit.

Peter Mayhew

This has been the best thing that ever happened to me.

Peter Mayhew

They asked if I was interested in a role as a large alien in a movie.

Peter Mayhew

I think the main thing was that the character couldn't speak in regular language, so he had to be mimed.

Peter Mayhew

When you consider that you're a character that doesn't speak, but you've still got to react to the other actors, you've got to make a noise of some kind.

Peter Mayhew

I think the things I wanted answered have been answered by people in the know that we can't talk about, so I'm perfectly happy with how Chewie came to be where he is and what is going on in Episode III.

Peter Mayhew