The Star Wars world is still reeling from the news of the passing of Peter Mayhew, who played the role of Chewbacca from Star Wars: A New Hope to The Force Awakens.
Tributes to the actor, who died from a heart attack on April 30, have poured in from all over the entertainment industry, with a heart-warming tribute from being shared by Joonas Suotamo, the actor who replaced Mayhew in the role of Chewbacca for The Last Jedi.
"He was an absolutely one-of-a-kind gentlemen and a legend of unrivaled class," Suotamo wrote. "And I will miss him."
Suotamo describes Mayhew as 'an absolutely one-of-kind gentleman and a legend of unrivaled class'. He recalls how Mayhew gave him a 'warm welcome' on The Force Awakens, where Suotamo was Mayhew's double for the role, and how Mayhew guided him in the ways of the Wookie on the set of the film. Suotamo asserted that Mayhew's tutelage was invaluable, and it helped make the 'daunting task' of taking over the role of Chewbacca a much easier one.
After Mayhew stepped away from the role of Chewbacca, he worked as a consultant on Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Solo: A Star Wars Story to help Suotamo get accustomed to the Wookiee's unique way of moving.
Suotamo then extended his sympathies to Mayhew's family and fans, and said that they can '[r]est assured his legacy will live on and the spirit that he gave the character when he first donned the suit will never be forgotten.'
Noting that he was a warm, welcoming presence who'll be missed by everyone he met, Suotamo's touching message expresses the deep feeling of loss that the many in Star Wars universe are feeling after the death of a core Star Wars cast member.
Mayhew is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children.