Kenny Baker, 81; won 'Star Wars' fans' hearts with performance as droid
R2-D2 . By Jill Lawless Associated Press . LONDON - 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
3-foot 8-inch performer - a word he preferred to actor - inside the
waste-bin-shaped costume has died at 81. Mr. Baker's nephew and
caretaker, Drew Myerscough, said he found Mr. Baker dead Saturday at
his home in Preston, northwest England. Myerscough told Sky News that
Mr. 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. Mr. Baker's agent, Johnny Mans, confirmed his death. He said Mr.
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, tweeted: "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,
tweeted: "So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with
Kenny. Born to a music-loving family in the central England city of
Birmingham on Aug 24, 1934, Mr. Baker started performing at 16 as part
of a troupe called "Burton Lester's Midgets. Mr. Baker told The
Associated Press in 1985 that LesterBurton 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. Mr. Baker later worked as a DJ and circus clown, and
as half a comedy-musical duo called the Mini-Tones with Jack Purvis,
who also appeared in the "Star Wars" films. 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 the AP. Mr. Baker said he
initially turned down the part. In an interview on his website, 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. Even though 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. Mr. 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, Mr. Baker and Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, weren't
close. Mr. Baker accused Daniels of being snobbish; Daniels was once
quoted by Britain's Daily Mirror as saying Mr. Baker "might as well be
a bucket. Mr. Baker also appeared in films including "The Elephant
Man," "Time Bandits," "Willow," and "Labyrinth. Mr. Baker's wife,
Eileen, died in 1993. The couple had two sons.
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