Wow, I am SO glad I am not the only person that has this view of Peter Mayhew. I was going to post earlier about my experience but did not because I thought people would think I was just being an A hole.
Peter along with his wife Angie and his step daughter, came down as our squad's guest for Mardi Gras 08. The night he came into town, he went to one of my squad mates house for a party. He sat outside smoking the whole time on my friends patio along with his wife. There was not to many people at the party because our squad was not all that big at the time. I went outside to see if I could talk to him on several occasions but this guy just seems to live pissed off. And whenever he did answer anyone's question it almost put me to sleep becuase he has no enthusiasm. For someone who makes their income from fans and people's love for his character, he sure seems to be aggrevated by everyone and just wants to be left alone.
The following day we went to children's hospital along with Peter to see the kids. Right before we took off our costumes, I asked if I could have a picture with him while I was in my Tusken, his reply was "hurry up"
and it seemed like he was doing me the biggest favor ever. That Sunday was the day of the parade and I walked right along the side of the convertible so that the crowd did not overwhelm the car. I witnessed him do the same thing Darren said. A little kid that just so happened to have a Chewie shirt on (the kid had no idea Peter was in the parade, barely anyone knew) ran up to the car thrilled to death to meet Peter. He asked Peter if he could please have him autograph his shirt, and this was Peter's reply "I can't sign your shirt due to legal reasons" and then he just looked away. The little kid replied "It was still nice to meet you" and Peter just nodded his head. I would have believed the whole legal issue except an hour before the parade he signed two items for someone in our group. I felt so bad for that kid, and was whispering not very nice things in my helmet.
I had NO problem putting in my half of the money for his trip down here, hell I even offered to put in more before the event. But after the way this guy acted I would not pay him a dime for an autograph or anything for that matter. For someone who gets their income from fans I think he should change his attitude towards them or get out of the scene. Maybe he was always like this. It's been bugging me for awhile and I'm happy I am not the only person with this view. However there were people in our group that were so Star Struck they thought he was a god, and were brown noseing the whole time
I can honestly say I have never met a nicer person then Jeremy Bulloch, definitely a really great guy and the same goes for Ray Park.