Q&A: Star Wars’s Joonas Suotamo

Joonas Suotamo made his on-screen debut in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, serving as a body double for Peter Mayhew, the actor best-known for bringing Chewbacca to life. When Mayhew retired, Suotamo took over playing the saga’s beloved furry sidekick—an intimidating job for the acting newcomer. “I was suddenly tasked with treasuring the legacy of one of the most memorable characters in movie history,” Suotamo says. “Being a fan of the films and Chewbacca himself, I felt it was my duty to bring back the essence of the character, quirks and all.”

The 33-year-old Finnish actor, who resides in his native country with his wife and one-year-old son, will be reprising his role for the fourth time in the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Ahead of the movie’s release, Suotamo spoke to Furthermore about training, fatherhood, and becoming a Wookie.