Kenny Baker, the actor behind R2-D2, has passed away
Man, 2016 sucks.
Kenny Baker, the man who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars films has died at the age of 83, after battling a long illness.
As reported by The Guardian, Baker first became famous in 1977 for playing the lovable robot in Star Wars IV: A New Hope. Even though he was a robot, R2-D2 quickly became one of the most, well, human characters in the films. Baker, who was less than four feet tall, reprised the character in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and all the prequel films.
Baker even returned for The Force Awakens as a consultant, despite his ailing health. While he appeared at a European red carpet for the film, he wasn’t able to attend the premiere in L.A. His niece, Abigail Shield, said Baker was luckily able to see George Lucas when he visited Manchester.Baker is also known for appearances in beloved 80s films like The Goonies, Time Bandits, and Flash Gordon.
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.”