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‘Star Wars’ actor Mayhew, played Chewbacca, has double knee-replacement surgery in Texas

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FILE - In this Oct. 29, 1997 file photo, filmmaker George Lucas looks over a Chewbacca costume at the "Star Wars" exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution\'s Air and Space Museum in Washington. Actor Peter Mayhew, who is best known for his portrayal of Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" films, has had double knee-replacement surgery at a Texas hospital. (AP Photo/Ken Cedeno, File)

FORT WORTH, Texas – Actor Peter Mayhew, who portrayed towering Chewbacca in the “Star Wars” films, has had double knee-replacement surgery at a Texas hospital.

Mayhew was recovering Wednesday at Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth. Angie Mayhew says her 69-year-old husband had the surgery Monday and hopes to walk again. She says her spouse has been using a wheelchair for two years.

Angie Mayhew says her husband also had a tendon-stretching procedure to stabilize his legs. Peter Mayhew was born with a condition known as gigantism, which causes excessive growth. He’s 7 feet 3 inches tall.

The British-born actor’s medical issues will be the subject of an upcoming documentary, “Standing in the Stars — The Peter Mayhew Story.”

The Mayhews live in Boyd, about 20 miles northwest of Fort Worth.

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Online:

http://www.petermayhew.com/main1.html

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