Tributes have been flooding in for the actor Kenny Baker who died yesterday at the age of 81. Baker was most well known for playing the robot R2D2 in the hugely popular Star Wars franchise.
George Lucas, who created the Star Wars films as well as Indiana Jones, called the actor ‘a real gentleman’. Mark Hamill who played Luke Skywalker in the films said of Baker that he had ‘lost a lifelong friend. Lucas added ‘Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances.’
Baker, who is originally from Birmingham also starred in the films Flash Gordon and Time Bandits. A statement released by the star’s agent said that he has on fact been in ill health for the past few years.
It was also reported that his nephew has been caring him for the past seven or eight years after the actor had develop respitory problems. His nephew commented this his uncle ‘was just a normal, down-to-earth, regular guy that enjoyed life.’
The actor was known for his small height at just 1.12m tall and started his performing career when he was just 16 working as a clown and also in pantomime.