Original R2D2 Actor Kenny Baker Passes Away at 83

[Deltron]

Kenny Baker, the ‘Star Wars’ Actor Behind R2-D2, Dies at 83

Kenny Baker, the man who brought the iconic “Star Wars” character R2-D2 to life, has died. He was 83.

The Guardian, which confirmed the death, issued a statement from Baker’s niece, Abigail Shield: “It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless,” she said. “He had a very long and fulfilled life. He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.”

The actor, who was 3 feet 8 inches tall, stared in the first six “Star Wars” films, starting in 1977 when he first played the robot in “Episode IV – A New Hope.”

Over his career, which spanned five decades, his credits included “The Elephant Man,” “Time Bandits” and “Flash Gordon.”

The British actor met his wife, Eileen, when she wrote him a letter after seeing him on the U.K. TV chat show hosted by Michael Parkinson. “They got married soon after,” Shield told the Guardian. “Sadly she died of epilepsy about 20 years ago.”

Baker had long suffered an illness and was often in a wheelchair. “He was asked to go out to L.A. for the new Star Wars premiere but he was told he was too ill to travel,” Shield said.

 

[HipHopStan]

 

[hayesc0]

Damn I hope he rest in peace.

 

[Soymuscle Mike]

RIP

That short Yoda/R2 fight in Empire cracked me up as a kid, was one of my favorite scenes.

R2 would've won too if Luke didn't tell him to ease up

 

[The American]

 

[General Mills]

Time Bandits used to be my shyt. I need to revisit it.

 

[HipHopStan]

He was the droid that we were looking for.

 

[Matt504]

You know shyt is fukked up in America when robots start dying.

 

[The American]

You know shyt is fukked up in America when robots start dying.

He's English

 

[BAMBA]

R.I.P.

 

[MF_BREW]

Wasn't he in the last star wars movie too? Damn

 

[HipHopStan]

Wasn't he in the last star wars movie too? Damn

Yes. In the later films, he wasn't used as much due to progress in technology, but they would bring him in for a day or two of shooting. What he did in TFA, I have no idea, due to R2's minor role, but he is credited.

 

[Norrin Radd]

2016 been rough

 

[The Devil's Advocate]

Bleep boop rarrghhhh bleep bleep boop (rip)

 

[semicko82]

People die everyday B























R2D2 died mane