Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker was a British performer best known for playing the classic Star Wars character R2-D2 in the first six films of the iconic sci-fi franchise. Baker began appearing in the films in 1977, alongside Anthony Daniels as fellow droid C-3PO. He appeared in two sequels, as well as three prequels, which were released between 1999 and 2005.
Baker also appeared in the films Flash Gordon; The Elephant Man, starring Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt; Time Bandits, with Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall and John Cleese; Amadeus; Mona Lisa, with Michael Caine; Labyrinth, starring David Bowie; Sleeping Beauty; and Willow, with Val Kilmer.
Additionally, Baker appeared on television, including parts on The Muppet Show, The Goodies, The Adventure Game, Swiss Toni and Casualty. He also appeared in the television movies Ivanhoe, The Star Wars Holiday Special and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Kenny Baker was a British performer best known for playing the classic Star Wars character R2-D2 in the first six films of the iconic sci-fi franchise. Baker began appearing in the films in 1977, alongside Anthony Daniels as fellow droid C-3PO. He appeared in two sequels, as well as three prequels, which were released between 1999 and 2005.
Baker also appeared in the films Flash Gordon; The Elephant Man, starring Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt; Time Bandits, with Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall and John Cleese; Amadeus; Mona Lisa, with Michael Caine; Labyrinth, starring David Bowie; Sleeping Beauty; and Willow, with Val Kilmer.
Additionally, Baker appeared on television, including parts on The Muppet Show, The Goodies, The Adventure Game, Swiss Toni and Casualty. He also appeared in the television movies Ivanhoe, The Star Wars Holiday Special and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The actor, who was 3 feet, 8 inches, got his start in entertainment at the age of 17, when he left school and joined a touring company of little people. Eventually, Baker started a two-man variety act with partner Jack Purvis, who would also go on to have a role in Star Wars, as an Ewok. The duo, known as the Mini-Tones, toured all over Europe.
Baker died August 13, 2016, in Preston, Lancashire, England. He was 81.
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