By Travis Johnson
Kenny Baker, best known for playing R2-D2 in the first six Star Wars films, died on Saturday, August 13, after an extended period of illness.
Although he is forever identified with his performance as the plucky droid who, along with his humanoid counterpart C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), was at the centre of George Lucas’s SF saga, Baker’s career spanned over 60 years. The diminutive performer (he was 112cm tall) was recruited into a travelling troupe of dwarves and midgets in 1954 at the age of 17 and had a long stage career, forming a two-am act, The Minitones, with fellow little person, Jack Purvis.
Making his first (uncredited) film appearance in the British exploitation film, Circus of Horrors, Baker would not appear in another movie until 1977, when he was cast in the first Star Wars. His subsequent film career saw him frequently appear in fantasy and children’s movies, including Flash Gordon, Labyrinth,Willow, and the 1989 BBC CS Lewis adaptation, Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. His most famous role outside of Star Wars was undoubtedly his turn as Fidgit, one of the eponymous cosmic renegades in Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits, (1981) which saw him reunited with his old sparring partner, Jack Purvis.
Illness prevented Baker from returning to his most well known role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but he is still credited as a consultant.
Tributes have flowed in from members of the Star wars community, with none more touching than this one from co-star, Mark Hamill:
Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for! pic.twitter.com/rd94OEYaHi
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) August 13, 2016
Baker is survived by two children.