Earlier today it was reported that one of the originalStar Warsactors has passed away.Kenny Baker, who was best known as the man insideR2-D2, succumbed to a lengthy illness at the age of 83. Since news of his death was announced by his niece Abigail Shield, many stars and filmmakers from theStar Warsuniverse have come forward to remember the man under the dome.
Mark Hamill was the first from theStar Warscamp to respond. The actor appeared in three movies withKenny Baker, including the original 1977Star Wars: A New Hope, 1980’sEmpire Strikes Backand 1983’sReturn of the Jedi. Hamill and Baker spent a lot of time together on set, especially during theEmpireproduction. It was Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 who traveled alone to the planet of Dagobah to meet Master Jedi Yoda. And throughout the original trilogy, R2 was often seen as Luke’s loyal companion. About the actor’s passing, Hamill had this to say onTwitter.
“Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!”
Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy, also spent a lot of time with Kenny Baker on set, as R2 was the Jedi’s loyal friend and servant in those movies, much as he was for Luke in the original trilogy. McGregor also came forward on twitter with his condolences. He had this to say about Kenny Baker’s passing.
“So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny. Kenny Baker, Star Wars R2-D2 actor, dies aged 81.”
Among those mourning the loss of Baker include 20th Century Fox,Rogue Onescreenwriter Gary Whitta, director Edgar Wright, actor Simon Pegg, filmmaker Kevin Smith and many more. We’ve collected a few of the tweets that appeared after news of Baker’s passing started to spread across social media.
Standing at 3-foot, 8-inches, Kenny Baker was one of the few actors capable of fitting inside the body ofdroidR2-D2, which needed someone to bring the practical character to life back in 1977. He was fully credited as one of the main cast members in the original movieStar Wars: A New Hope, and would return for the next two installments in the first trilogy, 1980’sEmpire Strikes Backand 1983’sReturn of the Jedi, the later of which also saw him donning the Ewok costume of Paploo. He even played R2-D2 in the 1978Star Wars Holiday Special.
He would later return to the role for 1999’sStar Wars: The Phantom Menaceand its two sequels 2002’sAttack of the Clonesand 2005’sRevenge of the Sith. Advancements in technology, coupled with his failing health, saw that he wasn’t needed to get back in the can for last year’sThe Force Awakens, though he was still given a screen credit.
Kenny Baker andAnthony Daniels, who plays R2-D2’s sidekick C-3PO, are the only two actors to have appeared in all 7Star Warslive-action movies.Episode VIIIonly just wrapped earlier this month, and it isn’t known ifKennyparticipated in the production at all. Even though he is quite active on Twitter, Anthony Daniels has yet to comment on the death of his co-star. The two actors are said to have been engaged in a long-time feud. It is not clear if the two ever got to put aside their differences and make-up.
