NORTH TEXAS. (THECOUNT) — Peter Mayhew, the man who played the Star Wars character Chewbacca, has died at the age of 74, a statement from his family says.

Family members said in a statement posted to Mayhew’s Twitter account that the actor died the evening of April 30, 2019, in his North Texas home, reports say.

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Mayhew played the iconic character from 1977 until 2015, when he retired for health reasons. He appeared in the original Star Wars trilogy, Episode 3 of the prequels and the New Trilogy, reports ABC30.

Mayhew is survived by his wife Angie and three children.