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Thread started 08/13/16 11:24am

JoeBala

R.I.P. Kenny Baker actor has died at 83

R.I.P. Kenny Baker, R2-D2 actor has died at 83
The British performer last appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
ON AUGUST 13, 2016, 1:15PM
Screen Shot 2016-08-13 at 12.13.12 PM
There’s a disturbance in the Force today. Kenny Baker, British actor and musician, died Saturday morning after suffering from a long illness. The 83-year-old was best known for manning the heroic and iconic droid R2-D2 in the Star Wars franchise.
The Guardian confirmed the death, issuing a statement from Baker’s niece, Abigail Shield, which read: “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.”
Born Kenneth George Baker in Birmingham, England, Baker originally attended boarding school in Kent and planned to follow his father’s footsteps to become an aengraver. His first shot at show business arrived when he was approached in the street to join a theatrical troupe of little people, an invitation that eventually led to work at a circus and ice shows.
Shortly after, he formed a successful comedy act dubbed the Minitones alongside entertainer Jack Purvis, which caught the eye of George Lucas, who hired him to man the infamous droid R2-D2 in 1977’s Star Wars. He would reprise the character six more times, including last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, before finally handing off the role to Jimmy Vee last November.
In addition to Star Wars, Baker also starred in several other major motion pictures, including The Goonies, Flash Gordon, Amadeus, Willow, The Elephant Man, Time Bandits, and 24 Hour Party People. In the late ’90s, he even tried his hand at stand up comedy and played harmonica in the James Coutts’ Scottish Dance Band.
His wife Eileen Baker passed away in 1993. They are survived by their two children.
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Reply #1 posted 08/13/16 11:28am

JoeBala

R2-D2 is dead: 3ft 8in actor Kenny Baker, 81, who portrayed the bleeping Star Wars droid has passed away

  • Kenny Baker died on Saturday after suffering from lung problems
  • The 3ft 8in actor was most famous for portraying R2-D2 in Star Wars
  • His family paid tribute to a man who 'brought happiness to a lot of people'
  • He received a credit in the latest Star Wars film which came out last year

Kenny Baker, the 3ft 8in actor most famous for immortalising robot R2-D2 in Star Wars, has died at the age of 81.

The Birmingham-born actor passed away today according to family members.

He had suffered problems with his lungs and had been ill for some time, his niece Abigail Shield said.

Kenny Baker, the 3ft 8in actor most famous for immortalising robot R2-D2 in Star Wars, has died at the age of 81

Kenny Baker, the 3ft 8in actor most famous for immortalising robot R2-D2 in Star Wars, has died at the age of 81

The world-famous Star Wars actor was last pictured at the European premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015

The world-famous Star Wars actor was last pictured at the European premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015

'He brought lots of happiness to people and we'll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world,' she said.

'We're all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.'

Baker played the resourceful droid known for his whistles and beeps in the original 'Star Wars' movie in 1977 and in the five following movies.

Baker played the resourceful droid known for his whistles and beeps in the original 'Star Wars' movie in 1977 and in the five following movies

Baker played the resourceful droid known for his whistles and beeps in the original 'Star Wars' movie in 1977 and in the five following movies

He also received a credit in last year's 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', and attended the European premiere in London in December in a wheelchair.

Baker's agent Johnny Mans said: 'He will be sadly missed.'

Mr Mans said Baker had been ill for a couple of years, adding that he had been cared for by his nephew.

Actor Ewan McGregor, who appeared in three Star Wars movies, tweeted: 'So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny.'

Shield told Sky News television: 'Unfortunately he was too ill to be part of the new Star Wars films.

'He was due to fly out to LA (for the most recent premiere) but doctors told him he was too unwell to fly. But he was consulted by certain people.'

She added: 'He obviously enjoyed the time working at Star Wars, it gave him a whole new different view on his disability.'

The popular actor was beloved among Star Wars fans for his portrayal of R2-D2

The popular actor was beloved among Star Wars fans for his portrayal of R2-D2

He also starred in many other films including the 1982 adaptation of the Hunchback of Notre Dame

He also starred in many other films including the 1982 adaptation of the Hunchback of Notre Dame

He starred in five Star Wars films and even received a credit in the latest film released last year

He starred in five Star Wars films and even received a credit in the latest film released last year

Kenny Baker was just 3ft 8ins tall and is pictured here with Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca

Kenny Baker was just 3ft 8ins tall and is pictured here with Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca

Mark Hamill & Kenny Baker in Star Wars Episode V -  The Empire Strikes Back

Mark Hamill & Kenny Baker in Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

The latest instalment of the franchise, 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', is due out in December.

Baker also starred in cult movies from the 1980s such as 'Time Bandits' and 'Flash Gordon'.

However Baker and Anthony Daniels, who played R2-D2's on-screen friend C3PO had a frosty relationship dating back decades.

Their long-running feud was one of the most legendary in showbusiness.

Kenny Baker (left as R2-D2) and Anthony Daniels (right as CP-30) famously had a long-standing feud

Kenny Baker (left as R2-D2) and Anthony Daniels (right as CP-30) famously had a long-standing feud

Baker also starred in Man of the World: Specialist for the Kill

Baker also starred in Man of the World: Specialist for the Kill

Baker (right) at the premiere of Empire Strikes Back along with Harrison Ford (left) and Alec Guinness (centre)

Baker (right) at the premiere of Empire Strikes Back along with Harrison Ford (left) and Alec Guinness (centre)

It first came to light in 2005 when Baker told Hollywood.com that Daniels hadn't mixed with the cast.

He said: 'Anthony doesn't mix at all–he keeps himself to himself. He never wants to have a drink with any of us. Once when I said hello to him he just turned his back on me and said, 'Can't you see I'm having a conversation?' I was blazing with rage.

'It was the rudest thing anyone had ever done to me. I was furious. It was unbelievable.'

Baker became a mainstay on the convention circuit and is pictured here at the London Film and Comic Convention in 2010

Baker became a mainstay on the convention circuit and is pictured here at the London Film and Comic Convention in 2010

Mark Hamill, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels & Alec Guinness in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Mark Hamill, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels & Alec Guinness in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

And in 2008, Baker was one of just three cast members to attend a London Star Wars reunion after previously telling reporters that his attendance depended on whether Daniels was going.

He said: 'It depends. If you invite his lordship, the one with the golden balls. If he comes, I won't be there'

Actor Kenny Baker presenting an award with his Star Wars co-stars Anthony Daniels and Mark Hammill, at the 50th Academy Awards

Actor Kenny Baker presenting an award with his Star Wars co-stars Anthony Daniels and Mark Hammill, at the 50th Academy Awards

Kenny pictured with his wife Eileen in 1977. Mrs Baker died in 1993

Kenny pictured with his wife Eileen in 1977. Mrs Baker died in 1993

Just a year later in an explosive interview with Metro, he told how Daniels had looked down on him 'like a piece of s***'.

He said: 'I thought it was just me he didn’t get on with but recently I’ve found out he doesn’t get on with anyone.

British actor Kenny Baker arriving for the European premiere of the movie 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' at Leicester Square in London, Britain

British actor Kenny Baker arriving for the European premiere of the movie 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' at Leicester Square in London, Britain

Baker with his long-term girlfriend at the premiere of Star Wars Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

Baker with his long-term girlfriend at the premiere of Star Wars Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

'He’s been such an awkward person over the years. If he just calmed down and socialised with everyone, we could make a fortune touring around making personal appearances.

'I’ve asked him four times now but, the last time, he looked down his nose at me like I was a piece of s***. He said: ‘I don’t do many of these conventions – go away little man.’ He really degraded me and made me feel small – for want of a better expression.'

He also admitted that his constant appearances on the fan convention circuit were financially motivated.

He sad: 'It’s all I live on now. I do around three a month at the moment. I’m not making a fortune but I’m bouncing along. I’ve got a nice Rolls Royce, a nice bungalow and I’ve got a girlfriend who I first went out with in the 1960s, so I’m the happiest dwarf in Europe.'

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Reply #2 posted 08/13/16 11:35am

purplethunder3
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Ah... sad Rest in peace, Mr. Baker. It looks like he had a good long life

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #3 posted 08/13/16 12:12pm

kpowers

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cry angel R.I.P

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Reply #4 posted 08/13/16 12:36pm

UncleJam

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cry RIP, R2...

Make it so, Number One...
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Reply #5 posted 08/13/16 3:55pm

NinaB

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rose
"We just let people talk & say whatever they want 2 say. 9 times out of 10, trust me, what's out there now, I wouldn't give nary one of these folks the time of day. That's why I don't say anything back, because there's so much that's wrong" - P, Dec '15
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Reply #6 posted 08/14/16 7:25am

JoeBala

Glad to know he was in the last movie, which I'm waiting to see.
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Reply #7 posted 08/14/16 8:28am

KoolEaze

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May he rest in peace.

I once saw an interview with Anthony Daniels and he stopped the interview after a few seconds just because the reporter asked him about Kenny Baker.

What was the reason for that feud?

And....I see him in an Ewok costume in that picture above. I never knew that he played an Ewok , too.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #8 posted 08/15/16 12:44pm

2freaky4church
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Star Wars is real. The force is realll, nooooooooooooo

All you others say Hell Yea!! woot!
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Reply #9 posted 08/16/16 1:56am

kpowers

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Reply #10 posted 08/19/16 8:18pm

journalism16

May he truly rest in peace.

Erin Smith
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Reply #11 posted 08/20/16 7:07am

XxAxX

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r.i.p. mr. baker. rose

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Reply #12 posted 08/21/16 2:27pm

ufoclub

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woah, all that shade on Anthony Daniels!

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