UPDATED 12/8/08 WITH MORE PHOTOS

Chewbacca: Welcome to Hoth, I mean West Michigan

Yes, I’m a big Star Wars fan, but no I didn’t really say my headline “welcome to Hoth” … it just seems like it was fitting with our current sub-freezing temperatures and non-stop snow.  But I did tell Peter Mayhew it was nice to meet him as I shook his hand.

The approximately 7′0″ British born actor best known for playing everyone’s favorite wookiee in 4 Star Wars movies visited Grand Rapids Saturday, and it couldn’t have been a better peak to my birthday weekend!!!

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Seriously – this is the man who played Chewbacca – one of the most recognizable movie characters from the 1980s – and not only did I get to shake his giant hand and get an autograph – I also got to take a picture with him.

Mayhew may have been big and imposing on screen in the Chewbacca suit, but in real life Mayhew is quiet and reserved, and at the age of 64, his tall lanky build has him using a cane these days.

And yes, there was charge for an autograph – but that’s okay when you realize most stars on the convention circuit charge for autographs anyway – and this was without the cost of admission to a convention, Mayhew made a stop at Celebration! Cinema North… but bottomline: can you really put a price on a special link to a favorite childhood memory?    It was totally worth it. 

Special thanks to the 501st Legion, Great Lakes Garrison (a fan based costuming group that works mostly for charities) for bringing Mayhew here from his home in Texas.

And thanks again Peter Mayhew – it was nice to meet you after all these years!

MY PREVIOUS BLOG ABOUT MAYHEW’S APPEARANCE IN GRAND RAPIDS

Peter Mayhew played Chewbacca in 4 Star Wars movies

 Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) makes a visit to Grand Rapids Saturday

The 6 foot 9 inch tall actor who portrayed the classic character in 4 Star Wars movies: Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars VI: Return Of The Jedi (1983) and Star Wars III: Revenge Of The Sith (2005) will be in Grand Rapids tomorrow.

Mayhew will be appearing in person at Celebration Cinema! North Saturday, December 6, 2008.  He will be available for autographs and photos from 7:30 pm until 8:30 pm in the lobby of Celebration Cinema! North, located at 2121 Celebration Drive NE at the corner of Knapp and East Beltline.

Mayhew will also be in attendance with Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion, Great Lakes Garrison, a fan based costuming group.