Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew has died aged 74

In a statement on Twitter, his family said he died on April 30 at his home in Texas.

They said: ‘The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away.

‘He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home.’

Mayhew, who was 7ft 3ins and British, played Wookiee warrior Chewbacca in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge Of The Sith (2005) and The Force Awakens (2015).

He became a naturalised US citizen in 2005 and is survived by his wife, Angie, and his three children.

The family's statement added: ‘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.

‘But, to him, the Star Wars family meant so much more to him 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. As the films released and became more well known, he had his eyes opened to the possibilities of what he could achieve with his role in the Star Wars universe.

‘For more than 30 years Peter travelled all over the world spending time with fans and friends. Peter developed lifelong friendships with the other cast members and his fans while on the convention circuit touching the lives of millions.’

Mayhew later became involved in charities including Wounded Warriors, Make-A-Wish and 501st Legion, his family said.

A memorial service will be held for friends and family on June 29 while in December a memorial will be set up for fans in Los Angeles.

The family asked fans to make donations to the Peter Mayhew Foundation.

Mayhew got the role in the original Star Wars film after creator George Lucas needed a tall actor to play hairy alien Chewbacca.

David Prowse, who was 6ft 6ins, was originally in the frame but chose instead to play Darth Vader.

Lucas discovered Mayhew, who was chosen purely for his height.

Mayhew did not reprise his role in 2017's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but is listed in the credits as a Chewbacca consultant.

Harrison Ford, who played the character of Han Solo, praised him for his ‘great dignity and noble character’.

In a statement to the Press Association, Ford said: ‘Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character.

‘These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience.’

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, shared a tribute on social media in which he described Mayhew as the ‘gentlest of giants’.

He added: ‘A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken’.

George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, also paid tribute.

In a statement, he said: ‘Peter was a wonderful man. He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature - and I learned to always let him win. He was a good friend, and I'm saddened by his passing.’