Kenny Kenny Baker, the 3-foot 8-inch (1.1 meter) actor who played R2-D2 in the “Star Wars” films, has died. He began in the 1977 original “Star Wars”, segued into the sequels “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”, and then returned for the three prequels, which began in 1999 and wrapped up in 2005. But it was Star Wars, and his partnership with Anthony Daniels, who played R2-D2s companion, C-3PO, for which the United Kingdom -born actor is perhaps best known-despite his ambivalence for the role and his often-tense relationship with Daniels.
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Baker was born in Birmingham, England on August 24, 1934. He was very ill for the last few years so we had been expecting it.
Baker’s nephew, Drew Myserscough, said he found him dead Saturday at his home in Preston in northwest England.
Baker played the droid in the first six “Star Wars” films.
Tributes have been pouring in from the acting world for the 3ft8 tall actor, described as the “heart and soul” of the droid.
He said he had been ill for some time, adding: “Kenny was truly a great friend, one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet and a fabulous and talented performer”.
Baker also appeared in other films including Time Bandits, Flash Gordon and The Goonies.
“Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!”
As reported by The Guardian, Baker first became famous in 1977 for playing the lovable robot in Star Wars IV: A New Hope. “He was R2D2 I was lucky enough to work with him for many years RIP lovely man”.
According to Shield, in recent years Baker was wheelchair bound and had problems with his lungs. “There weren’t any highlights”, Baker told Star Wars Interviews in 2010.
In 2009 he published a biography, co-written with Ken Mills, titled From Tiny Acorns: The Kenny Baker Story.
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He met his wife, Eileen, after an appearance on Parkinson, a British TV chat show: she wrote into the show saying that she was also a little person and wanted to meet him. However, he went on to be chosen for the man inside R2-D2.
