Peter Mayhew, who plays the iconic role of “Chewbacca” a Wookiee warrior in Star Wars, has passed away at the age of 74-years-old.

The actor passed away on Tuesday inside his home in Texas, he was surrounded by his loved ones and his family.

A statement was released on the Twitter account by his family, the statement said, “He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame of the films from his knock-kneed running, firing his bowcaster from the hip, his bright blue eyes, down to each subtle movement of his head and mouth.”

It added, “But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more than a role in a film. The relationships that began then grew into the friends and family that he would love for decades to come.”

Peter Mayhew was working as a hospital attendant in London when he was discovered by Charles Schneer, a movie producer.

He started off his acting career in an uncredited role in “Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger”.

He was then cast as the co-pilot and best friend of Han Solo in the original Star Wars movie that was released in 1977.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga tweeted his thoughts about the death of Peter.

Hamill wrote on Twitter, “gentlest of giants — A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly.”

He added, “I’m grateful for the memories we shared & I’m a better man for just having known him.”

A memorial service is set to be held on 29th of June and a memorial for his fans is set to take place in December in Los Angeles during the Empire Con, an event that is held for all Star Wars fans.