Nanism Nanism was a medical or genetic condition that resulted in an abnormally short adult height . An individual affected by nanism was referred to as a dwarf . The term " dwarf " was also used inaccurately to describe species the average stature of which was naturally short , or miniature breeds within a given species . In the galactic community , people with nanism sometimes encountered discrimination , especially in cultures that valued tallness as well as powerful build like the Sanyassan society . Characteristics . Nanism occurred when an individual was of unusually diminutive stature by reference to their species ' s average , due to a developmental or congenital disease . It was the polar opposite of giantism , an abnormal increase in physical size and stature . Humans , Wookiees and Sanyassan s were among the varieties of species that could develop this condition . The Near - Human Bimms from the planet Bimmisaari , who stood from 1 . 0 to 1 . 5 meters for adults of both sexes , could easily pass as Human dwarfs . Nanism was sometimes a cause of psychological difficulties resulting from social intolerance . The Sanyassan noble Yavid initially had some trouble in his homeworld ' s hierarchy due to his congenital diminutive size . In reaction to being constantly trodden upon , Yavid had to develop an explosive personality that could gain him a respected place among his peers . On at least one occasion , the Imperial warlord Trioculus mocked little people with disdain and scorn , although the Grand Moff Hissa advised him not to underestimate his adversaries according to their size . Ironically , Trioculus himself was afflicted with a more exotic deformity , as he was a three - eyed mutant . The term " dwarf " was often mistakenly used as an adjective to describe smaller breeds within a species , like the dwarf bantha and the dwarf varactyl , or even in reference to species in which the small stature was the norm — such as the porcine Ugnaughts or the industrious Nord s . The verb " to dwarf " was also used , meaning " to make appear smaller or insignificant " . For example , the Twi ' lek minstrel Gobi Glie once stated : " But our foes have no legends ; that ' s where we dwarf them . " History . In the last decades of the Galactic Republic , the one - meter tall actor Palleus Chuff played mostly villainous scheming dwarfs , although he became famous for his outstanding portrayal of the diminutive Jedi Master Yoda in his self - written play " Jedi ! " . The Human Kadann , a former Jedi Knight who turned evil and became the Supreme Prophet of the dark side , was born with nanism , with an adult height of only 1 . 3 meters . After the Battle of Endor , the former Director of Imperial Intelligence Cronal set up a " Church of the Dark Side " with a clergy of false Prophets , including the Near - Human Bimm Rajah Ubooki to impersonate the real Kadann . Believing the impostor to be the genuine Kadann , both the Imperial and the Rebels referred to the Bimm agent as " the black - bearded dwarf " . Among his many assumed shapes , the shapeshifter Rokur Gepta would sometimes take the appearance of what others described as " a malignant dwarf . " Behind the scenes . In real life , nanism ( also known as " dwarfism " or " short stature " ) can take many forms , some of which are hereditary . The Little People of America ( LPA ) define nanism as an adult height of 148 cm ( 4 feet 10 inches ) or less . " Star Wars " creator George Lucas has been working with little people on a regular basis during his career as a movie director . At one stage during pre - production of , Lucas planned for Luke Skywalker , along with his uncle and aunt , to be played by little people . In 1977 , Lucas eventually hired Kenny Baker to play the droid R2 - D2 in " A New Hope " . In 1983 , for , Lucas recruited several actors with short stature to portray the Ewoks from Endor , including Warwick Davis , Kevin Thompson and Jack Purvis . Davis went on to play the title character in " Willow " , another Lucas movie that was released in 1988 . This movie was notable for employing more little people than any production in many years , and was widely praised for employing Warwick Davis as the lead . A diminutive character called Weazel appeared in the May 1999 film , in which he was portrayed by Warwick Davis . Although he looks like a Human dwarf , Weazel ' s species has never been revealed , and he could belong to a diminutive species like the Bimms . However , Weazel ' s entry in " The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia " states that he was " short and stocky " for his species . According to the ambiguously canon article " " , the real Prophet Kadann measured 1 . 3 meters , while his apprentice Jedgar stood at 2 . 3 meters in height . However , a picture of the two prophets together was shown in " The Dark Side Sourcebook " , and the height difference does not seem to be that significant .