<Tr> <Th> Height </Th> <Td> 7 ft 3 in (221 cm) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Angie Luker (m . 1999) </Td> </Tr> <P> Peter Mayhew (born 19 May 1944) is an English - American actor, best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series . He played the character in all of his live action appearances from the 1977 original to 2015's The Force Awakens before his retirement from the role . </P> <P> Mayhew was born on 19 May 1944 in Barnes, Surrey, where he was also raised . His height is not a product of gigantism, "I don't have the big head", but of a connective tissue disorder called Marfan syndrome . His maximum height was 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm). </P>

Who played chewbacca in the original star wars