Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in ‘Star Wars,’ dead at 81

“KT Tunstall tweeted: “Go well Kenny Baker, thankyou for the endless joy” and Josh Gad wrote: “#KennyBaker is gone.

“The 3′ 8” actor shot to fame when he first played the beloved Star Wars character in 1977, and reprised his role for 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back and 1983’s Return of the Jedi, as well as the three prequel films from 1999 to 2005. Baker retired from the role after The Force Awakens, with R2-D2 to be played by Jimmy Vee in future films.

Kenny Baker, center, poses for photographers upon arrival at the European premiere of the latest Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens.

On the other hand, Baker developed during the years in Star Wars a strong friendship with Peter Mayhew, the Chewbacca actor.

“Kenny was truly a great friend, one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet and a fabulous and talented performer”.

The Star Wars fan website also posted a rather touching picture soon after his death was announced, which showed Kenny Baker inside his R2-D2 costume while he also had a huge smile emblazoned across his face. He also appeared in The Elephant Man, Time Bandits and Flash Gordon.

Star Wars fans paid tribute to the actor. “It was lovely working with Kenny”.

His niece, Abigail Shield, confirmed his passing to the BBC and The Guardian on Saturday, noting he had been battling illness for some time. He was very ill for the last few years so we had been expecting (his death).

“Baker created Artoo’s (R2’s) much-loved innocent yet adventurous personality from inside the droid”, said a statement on the official Star Wars Twitter account. Goodbye Mister Kenny Baker. He was very poorly for a long time.

Director Kyle Newman added: “RIP KENNY BAKER – a small man, but no small gentleman”.

“He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world”, she told The Guardian.

The father of two, Baker was predeceased by his wife of 23 years, Eileen, in 1993.