Baker, who measured one metre tall, had problems with his lungs and had been ill for some time, his niece Abigail Shield told local media.
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Currently, there hasn’t been announced the funeral details. “He had a very long and fulfilled life”, she said. “We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime”.
Although initial reports suggested Kenny was 83 when he died, the actor’s biography on his official website gives his date of birth as 24th August, 1934. He was part of a comedy and music duo called the “Mini Tones” with partner Jack Purvis before beginning in the movie business, Mans says. The character quickly became a fan favourite, and Baker became a regular sight at Star Wars fan conventions. Mr. Baker was a consultant on last year’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and attended the film’s London premiere.
That makes him a giant in my book.
For the third Star Wars movie, 1983’s Return of the Jedi, Baker doubled up, also playing an Ewok named Paploo.
“A lot of people used to, when they were talking to him, they would bend down and talk to Kenny because he was short”, he recalls.
Earlier today it was reported that one of the original Star Wars actors has passed away. He also appeared in Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981), and Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (1986). Additionally, he played the harmonica with the Scottish Dance Band in 1997.
Shield explained that Baker met his wife Eileen after an appearance on the Michael Parkinson TV show. They had two children.
Ewan McGregor, who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the three Star Wars prequels, taking over the role from Sir Alec Guinness, also quickly took to Twitter to pay his own respects.
Baker died in his sleep Saturday morning, according to his nephew and caregiver Andrew Myerscough.
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Mark Hamill was the first from the Star Wars camp to respond. However, in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released in December 2015, it was announced that Baker would not be performing R2-D2 as usual, being replaced by actor Jimmy Vee. Luckily he did manage to meet George Lucas again when he came to Manchester. He was amazed that, even after 30 odd years, the fans still basically adored him.
