Celebrity Scoop – 05/03/2019

PETER MAYHEW, CHEWBACCA IN ‘STAR WARS’ FILMS, DIES AT 74 – (05/03/2019)

Peter Mayhew, who became known to fans worldwide as the lovable Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars galaxy of films, has died. He was 74. Mayhew’s death comes just days before Star Wars Day on May 4th.

The actor died Tuesday in his North Texas home with his family by his side. His official Twitter account shared the news Thursday.

Mayhew had undergone spinal surgery in July in an effort to improve his mobility. The London native played Chewbacca in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge of the Sith (2005) and The Force Awakens (2015).

Mayhew had done some minor acting – he played a minotaur in the Ray Harryhausen fantasy “Sinbad” and the “Eye of the Tiger” (1977) – and was working as a hospital orderly when he tried out for the part of Chewbacca. He got the role based on his physique; writer-director George Lucas was in desperate need of someone who would be able to play taller than Darth Vader. In his prime, Mayhew stood 7-foot-3. After wrapping the first Star Wars, he went back to work as an orderly and did not leave the job for good until the release of Return of the Jedi, after which he made a living off of Chewbacca, becoming a favorite on the fan convention circuit.

Mayhew acted as a key mentor to Finnish actor Joonas Suotamo, who appeared in a few Force Awakens scenes as the furry hero. Suotamo took over the Chewie mantle permanently in 2017’s The Last Jedi.

A private memorial for Mayhew will take place June 29th, and there will be a gathering for fans at EmpireConLA in December. Mayhew is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children.

KELLY CLARKSON OK AFTER HAVING APPENDIX REMOVED – (05/03/2019)

Kelly Clarkson did an amazing job hosting the 2019 Billboard Music Awards Wednesday night and she showed no signs of being in distress – even though she was rushed home after the show to prep for surgery.

The 37-year-old singer had her appendix removed the morning after hosting the show. She reportedly had been suffering from a “painful bout of appendicitis all week.” Kelly flew home to Los Angeles moments after the show ended in Las Vegas and was in surgery by Thursday morning.

Kelly was on stage all night long and even gave two performances. She sang her new UglyDolls song “Broken & Beautiful” and also performed a medley of the year’s chart-topping hits.

Kelly posted the confirmation in response to a tweet from a fan about her then-rumored surgery, one of many concerned social media posts about Kelly.

“Not gonna lie…. I may or may not have broken down in tears after the show from pain,” she tweeted. “BUT thanks 2 all the amazing people @ Cedars-Sinai I flew home directly after the event, nailed the surgery early this morning, & feeling awesome now! Bye bye appendix #TheShowMustGoOn.”

JOE JONAS, SOPHIE TURNER OFFICIALLY TIE THE KNOT – (05/03/2019)

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have obtained their marriage license and are officially husband and wife.

Entertainment Tonight confirmed the union between Jonas and Turner by obtaining a copy of the couple’s marriage license, which they received on Wednesday.

People magazine also confirmed the news, citing online records that the singer and Game of Thrones star applied for a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada.

Jonas and Turner announced their engagement in October 2017 after almost a year of dating. They were both present at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday and appeared to get married during a surprise Las Vegas ceremony that took place after the show – led by an Elvis impersonator.

The ceremony was documented on DJ and producer Diplo’s Instagram story, which included video of Turner walking down the aisle as country duo Dan + Shay performed their song “Speechless.”

Jonas’ brothers Nick and Kevin were also featured in the video, serving as groomsmen.

Jonas had previously teased a summer wedding, which was to be held in France. Turner had also said her Game of Thrones co-star Maisie Williams would be her maid of honor.

Instead of rings, E! reports Jonas and Turner exchanged Ring Pops at the ceremony.

TWITTER HAS MELTDOWN FOLLOWING SURPRISE SOPHIE TURNER & JOE JONAS WEDDING – (05/03/2019)

Two brothers, two completely different weddings. Following Nick Jonas’ epic world-spanning wedding event to Priyanka Chopra last summer, Joe Jonas opted for the casual route. According to TMZ, the chapel was booked by the DNCE frontman and the GOT star a week ago. And according to People, the pair are still planning on having a more lavish ceremony in France. 

He and Sophie Turner tied the knot in a Las Vegas chapel with a few pals following the Billboard Music Awards Wednesday night. All of the brothers were in attendance, as were their wives, Danielle and Priyanka. The wedding was livestreamed on Instagram by Diplo, and was officiated by an Elvis impersonator. The rings were large, and made with candy. 

Twitter, predictably, freaked out, seeing as fans were banking on the pair tying the knot this summer after Game of Thrones ended. (Panic not! Looks like it will still happen!) 

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