Life Space Station astronauts honor Peter Mayhew, best known for playing ‘Star Wars’ Chewbacca May 9, 2019 Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY Comments Off on Space Station astronauts honor Peter Mayhew, best known for playing ‘Star Wars’ Chewbacca Peter Mayhew's family announced on Twitter Thursday that the actor, who played the Wookiee Chewbacca in 'Star Wars,' died Tuesday.