Actor / Director Profile

Now residing in Texas, this former resident of Yorkshire, England, was working as a hospital attendant at the King's College Hospital in London when film producer Charles H. Schneer saw his photo, literally standing above the crowd around him. Charles H. Schneer cast him in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977), Ray Harryhausen's newest special effects film. It was just over a year later that he was asked if he wanted to do another role. Mayhew was told it was for a big hairy beast. It was the role of Chewbacca, the faithful 200 year-old Wookiee in Star Wars (1977) and his life was changed forever. Following the original Star Wars trilogy films Mayhew has done several commercials in the wookiee costume including one for Cingular and Orange associated with Revenge of the Sith, Episode III. In 1997 the twentieth anniversary celebrations of Star Wars were announced with the release of the "Special Edition" and all the conventions started. He is now active on the "Star Wars" convention circuit where he signs autographs. He enjoys woodworking as a hobby when time permits and has a woodworking shop in his garage