Personal details
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Born:
- Birthday: 1986-10-03
- Born Place: Espoo, Finland
Joonas Suotamo
Joonas Suotamo is a Finnish actor and former professional basketball player, best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and spin-offs. Born on October 3, 1986, in Espoo, Finland, Suotamo stood out both on the basketball court and in the arts. He played power forward and center for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2005 to 2008, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors twice before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in film and video. After completing his Finnish military service, he transitioned into acting. Suotamo's acting career took a significant turn when he was cast as a body double for Peter Mayhew's Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). Following Mayhew's passing in 2019, Suotamo fully embraced the role, portraying Chewbacca in The Last Jedi (2017), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He also portrayed Kelnacca, a Wookiee Jedi, in the Disney+ series The Acolyte (2024). Beyond his work in Star Wars, Suotamo has appeared in other projects, including playing Lurch in Wednesday (2025). Off-screen, he is married to Milla Pohjasvaara, and they have a son named Aatos.
