<P> Mayhew got his first acting job in 1976 when the producers of Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger discovered him from a photograph in a newspaper article about men with large feet, and cast him in the role of the minotaur . </P> <P> When casting his first Star Wars film, producer George Lucas needed a tall actor who could fit the role of the hairy alien Chewbacca . He originally had in mind 6 - foot - 6 - inch (1.98 m) bodybuilder David Prowse, but Prowse chose to play Darth Vader . This led Lucas on a search which turned up Mayhew, who was working as an orderly and said that all he had to do to be cast in the role of Chewbacca was stand up . </P> <P> Mayhew has played Chewbacca in five Star Wars films: the original trilogy (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi), Star Wars: Episode III--Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Force Awakens . He played the role in the 1978 television film Star Wars Holiday Special and in an appearance on The Muppet Show . He also recorded dialogue for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 3 finale episode "Wookiee Hunt". </P> <P> Mayhew plays the role in commercials and hospital appearances for sick children and has made numerous appearances as Chewbacca outside the Star Wars films . Mayhew as Chewbacca was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Film Awards 1997 . He was additionally honoured at the release of the new PlayStation Portable where he dressed as Chewbacca and held up the new PSP slim version . </P>

Who played chewbacca in return of the jedi
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