Kenny Baker, who played ‘Star Wars’ droid R2-D2, dies at 81

The man behind Star Wars’ famous droid R2-D2, Kenny Baker passed away on Saturday morning.

Baker’s death was confirmed by his nephew Drew Myerscough, who said the actor had suffered breathing problems for many years. “I couldn’t ask for more”.

“He was amazed that, even after 30-odd years, the fans still basically adored him”, Myerscough said. The role had no lines – the character’s signature beeps and boops were not voiced by Baker – and, seated inside the robot, he never showed his face. He said the affection of “Star Wars” fans around the world “kept him going, without any doubt”. But it was the personality that Baker gave Artoo that really resonated with fans.

Comedian Ted Robbins wrote: “So sad to hear news of death of old friend Kenny Baker -a great pro with a big heart!”

We hope he is resting in peace. “Thanks for bringing my favorite STAR WARS character (and 1st STAR WARS figure) to life”.

In addition to the first Star Wars film in 1977, he also appeared in Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and three prequel editions.

Baker’s agent Mr Mans said he knew him since the 1960s when they were both club entertainers. “What for, for goodness’ sake?” “The director, Terry Gilliam’s such a nutcase, he’s so enthusiastic, you can’t help enjoy it”, he told the BBC in 2001. We can’t find anyone else. “You’re small enough to get into it and you’re strong enough to be able to move it, ‘” he said of R2-D2’s cylindrical metal costume in a video interview in Stockholm that he shared on his website. “I got into it and they put the lid on me like a boiled egg”.

Shield told Sky News television: “Unfortunately he was too ill to be part of the new Star Wars films”.

“We all thought, ‘What a load of rubbish”. Baker also starred in Time Bandits, The Elephant Man and Flash Gordon.

In 1978, Baker immortalized R2-D2 with cement footprints of the droid outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

Born to a music-loving family in the central England city of Birmingham on Aug 24, 1934, Baker started performing at 16 as part of a troupe called “Burton Lester’s Midgets”. This news story is related to Latest/142258-Star-Wars-actor-behind-R2-D2-robot-dies-aged-81/ – breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. He credited a local charity group with helping him learn to cope with his limitations during his early years.

Kenny’s wife Eileen, who also had dwarfism, died over 20 years ago and Kenny is survived by sons Christopher, 43, and Kevin, 41, who did not inherit the condition, and seven grandchildren.