Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) was hospitalized this weekend for pneumonia, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Peter Mayhew (70), the iconic Star Wars actor underneath the Wookiee suit, had a serious heath scare last weekend when he had to be hospitalized due to a pneumonia attack.
The actor, who will be reprising his role as Chewbacca in the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is thankfully expected to make a full recovery. His wife Angie Mayhew updated concerned fans on Reddit, writing:
Thank you for all the well wishes, prayers, good vibes, and happy thoughts.
Peter is indeed in the hospital with pneumonia.
He will make a full recovery, and hope to be discharged within a few days. Doctors are incredibly happy with his improvements.
Mayhew’s webmaster has also reassured fans on Twitter:
Hey all, @Webmaster_Rick here. Peter is recovering well from his bout of pneumonia. He thanks you for the well wishes!!!
— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) January 20, 2015
Mayhew has so far appeared in four out of the six total Star Wars films. He’s also donned the Chewbacca suit for several Star Wars specials and tributes, including the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, and a 2011 episode of Glee.
In 2014 he had a lead role in Lewis Leslie’s Killer Ink.
While details are sparse, Mayhew is expected to play an aged Chewbacca in The Force Awakens, which hits cinemas Dec. 18, 2015. Harrison Ford is also reprising his role as Han Solo, and the teaser trailer revealed the Millennium Falcon still flying high.
We wish Peter Mayhew a speedy recovery!