“No one’s ever really gone.”

Those are the words Luke Skywalker spoke to his twin sister Leia at the end of “The Last Jedi.” They were echoed again in the trailer for “The Rise of Skywalker.” Today, Star Wars fans think of those words again. Peter Mayhew, the actor who portrayed Chewbacca, has died at the age of 74.

The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home. pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u

— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) May 2, 2019

Producer Charles Schneer discovered the 7’3″ Mayhew working as a hospital attendant in London. His first role came in Ray Harryhausen’s “Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.” The next year, he joined “Star Wars” as the lovable but ferocious hero Chewbacca. Although he was covered in fur, Mayhew’s body language and piercing blue eyes helped breathe life into the iconic character.

George Lucas dreamed up the Chewbacca character while he was driving. He looked over to see his dog sitting in the passenger seat and the world’s most famous co-pilot was born. Chewbacca’s name is derived from the Russian word for “dog.”

Mayhew last portrayed Chewbacca in 2015’s “The Force Awakens.” He was in the costume when Harrison Ford’s Han Solo said, “Chewie, we’re home.” Since that film, Joonas Suotamo has embodied the Wookiee full-time, though Mayhew frequently helped him as a consultant.

R.I.P