Kenny Baker played the lovable droid R2-D2 in the Star Wars films, achieving cult status and fans’ adulation without showing his face or speaking any lines.
The 1.1m performer — a word he preferred to actor — inside the waste-bin-shaped costume has died at 81.
Baker’s nephew and carer, Drew Myerscough, said he found Baker dead on Saturday at his home in Preston, northwest England.
Myerscough told Sky News that Baker had suffered years of breathing problems, “which he had borne very bravely.”
He said the affection of Star Wars fans around the world “kept him going, without any doubt.”
“He was amazed that, even after 30-odd years, the fans still basically adored him,” Myerscough said.
Baker’s agent Johnny Mans confirmed his death.
He said Baker was “one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet, and a fabulous and talented performer.”
Mark Hamill, the Star Wars series’ Luke Skywalker, said on Twitter: “Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination. He WAS the droid I was looking for!” — a reference to a famous line from the first film.
Actor Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in three Star Wars movies, said on Twitter: “So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny.”
Born to a music-loving family in the central English city of Birmingham on Aug. 24, 1934, Baker started performing at 16 as part of a troupe called “Burton Lester’s Midgets.”
Baker told reporters in 1985 that Burton had asked him: “What can you do?’ I said I could roller skate, ride a bike and whistle. I joined them and did all that, and conjuring tricks, played drums and comedy routines as well.”
Fame came when he was cast as the actor inside R2-D2’s cylindrical robot costume in 1977’s Star Wars.
“I worked the levers,” he told reporters.
In an interview on his Web site, he said he told director George Lucas: “I don’t want to be stuck in a robot, what for, for goodness sake?”
Eventually, he said he told Lucas: “I’ll help you out.”
Although R2-D2’s dialogue amounted only to beeps and whistles, the droid and his lanky friend C-3PO became two of the series’ most beloved characters.
Baker returned for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and reprised the role in three prequels released between 1999 and 2005.
Despite their onscreen rapport, Baker and Anthony Daniels, who played the protocol droid C-3P0, were not close.
Baker accused Daniels of being snobbish; Daniels was once quoted by Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper as saying Baker “might as well be a bucket.”
Baker also appeared in films including The Elephant Man, Time Bandits, Willow and Labyrinth.
Baker’s wife Eileen died in 1993. The couple had two sons.
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