Kenny Baker - # 138

Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in ‘Star Wars,’ dead at 81

He was number 138 on the list.

Kenny Baker played the lovable droid R2-D2 in the “Star Wars” films, achieving cult status and fans’ adulation without showing his face or speaking any lines.

The 3-foot 8-inch (1.1 meter) performer — a word he preferred to actor — inside the waste-bin-shaped costume has died at 81. Baker’s nephew and carer, Drew Myerscough, said he found Baker dead Saturday at his home in Preston, northwest England.

Myerscough told Sky News that Baker had suffered years of breathing problems, “which he had borne very bravely.” He said the affection of “Star Wars” fans around the world “kept him going, without any doubt.”

“He was amazed that, even after 30-odd years, the fans still basically adored him,” Myerscough said.

Baker’s agent, Johnny Mans, confirmed his death. He said Baker was “one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet, and a fabulous and talented performer.”

Mark Hamill, the “Star Wars” series’ Luke Skywalker, tweeted: “Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination. He WAS the droid I was looking for!” — a reference to a famous line from the first film.

Actor Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in three “Star Wars” movies, tweeted: “So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny.”

Born to a music-loving family in the central England city of Birmingham on Aug 24, 1934, Baker started performing at 16 as part of a troupe called “Burton Lester’s Midgets.”

Baker told The Associated Press in 1985 that Burton had asked him “What can you do?’ I said I could roller skate, ride a bike and whistle. I joined them and did all that, and conjuring tricks, played drums and comedy routines as well.”

Baker later worked as a DJ and circus clown, and as half a comedy-musical duo called the Mini-Tones with Jack Purvis, who also appeared in the “Star Wars” films.

Fame came when he was cast as the actor inside R2-D2’s cylindrical robot costume in 1977’s “Star Wars.”

“I worked the levers,” he told the AP.

Baker said he initially turned down the part. In an interview on his website, he said he told director George Lucas “I don’t want to be stuck in a robot, what for, for goodness sake?”

Eventually, he said he told Lucas, “I’ll help you out.”

Even though R2-D2’s dialogue amounted only to beeps and whistles, the droid and his lanky friend C-3PO became two of the series’ most beloved characters.

Baker returned for “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” and reprised the role in three prequels released between 1999 and 2005.

Despite their onscreen rapport, Baker and Anthony Daniels, who played the protocol droid C-3P0, weren’t close. Baker accused Daniels of being snobbish; Daniels was once quoted by Britain’s Daily Mirror as saying Baker “might as well be a bucket.”

Baker also appeared in films including “The Elephant Man,” ”Time Bandits,” ”Willow” and “Labyrinth.”

Baker’s wife Eileen died in 1993. The couple had two sons.

Filmography

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1960      Circus of Horrors              Dwarf    Uncredited

1962      Man of the World            The Croat             Episode: "Specialist for the Kill", credited as Ken Baker

1975      Dave Allen at Large          Salesman             Season 4, Episode 36

1977      Star Wars             R2-D2   

1977      Wombling Free Bungo  

1980      The Muppet Show           R2-D2    Episode: "The Stars of Star Wars"

1980      The Empire Strikes Back               

1980      Flash Gordon     Dwarf   

1980      The Elephant Man            Plumed Dwarf   

1981      Time Bandits      Fidgit    

1981      The Goodies       Dwarf    Episode: "Snow White 2"

1982      The Hunchback of Notre Dame   Pick Pocket         TV film

1983      Return of the Jedi             R2-D2, Paploo   

1984      The Adventure Game     HRH The Rangdo of Arg Two episodes

1984      Amadeus             Parody Commendatore

1985      Der Rosenkavalier            Baron Och's Retinue       TV film

1986      Mona Lisa            Brighton Busker               

1986      Labyrinth             Goblin Corps     

1987      Star Tours            R2-D2    Short film, uncredited

1987      Sleeping Beauty                Elf          

1988      Willow Nelwyn Band Member   Uncredited

1989      Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader         Dufflepud            TV special

1990      Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie                Invisible Demon                Episode 5

1992      Casualty               Archie   Episode: "Act of Faith"

1993      U.F.O.   Casanova            

1999      The King and I    Captain Orton    Voice, credited as Ken Baker

1999      Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace       R2-D2   

1999      Boobs in the Wood          Bruce the Convict             Direct-to-video

2002      24 Hour Party People     Zookeeper          Uncredited

2002      Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones          R2-D2   

2002      The Cage              Merlin   Short film

2003      Swiss Toni           Guyler   Episode: "Cars Don't Make You Fat"

2005      Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith          R2-D2   

2007      Casualty               Charles Isaac      Episode: "The Miracle on Harry's Last Shift"

2013      One Night at the Aristo The Bartender   Voice, short film

2015      Star Wars: The Force Awakens   R2-D2    Consultant and final film role