Kenny Baker Passes Away at 83
Kenny Baker, the actor who originally sat inside R2-D2, has passed away at age 83.
Born Kenneth George Baker, he originally wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and be an engraver, but his lack of education prevented him from pursuing the work. Instead, Baker was recruited into a theatrical troupe in 1951, and eventually formed the Minitones with entertainer Jack Purvis, who also ended up in the Star Wars pictures with Baker.
Besides R2, Baker also played Paploo, the Ewok who steals the speeder bike in Return of the Jedi. Originally set to play Wicket, he fell ill during the shooting schedule and the role went to Warwick Davis.
Following the Star Wars films, Baker also appeared in Time Bandits and Flash Gordon.
Niece Abigail Shield told the Guardian, “It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless. 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.”
She added, “When he was a child, he was told that he probably wouldn’t survive through puberty, being a little person in those times, they didn’t have a very good life expectancy. He did extremely well in his life. He was very ill for the last few years so we had been expecting it. He had been looked after by one of his nephews, who found him on Saturday morning.”
