TheGuardian: Kenny Baker, actor behind R2-D2, dies.
The British actor who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars films has died at the age of 81 after a long illness. Kenny Baker, who was 3ft 8in tall, shot to fame in 1977 when he first played the robot character.
He went on to play the character in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, as well as the three Star Wars prequels from 1999 to 2005. He also appeared in a number of other much loved films in the 1980s, including The Elephant Man, Time Bandits and Flash Gordon.
His niece, Abigail Shield, paid tribute to her uncle. She 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.” MORE
ht Rob.
Probably when he started putting on that costume the very first time he thought he was doing the goofiest thing for a paycheck. Turned out to be a monumental character for a generation or two.
“Excuse me sir, but that R2-D2 is in prime condition, a real bargain”
He looks so different without makeup!
01001001 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101001 01101110 01101011 00100000 01010010 00110010 00100111 01110011 00100000 01100010 01100101 01110011 01110100 00100000 01110111 01101111 01110010 01101011 00100000 01110111 01100001 01110011 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101111 01110010 01101001 01100111 01101001 01101110 01100001 01101100 00100000 01100110 01101001 01101100 01101101 00101110
😢
I DVRed Time Bandits this afternoon. Kenny Baker’s character is named Fidgit.
Seems like a fitting way to recognize someone’s achievements upon their passing.
DRAFT ROBERT REICH!!!!
That lil’ ol’ dwarf needs to step up and replace R2D2 before the chilllllll-dren find out!