Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker (August 24, 1934 – August 13, 2016) was a British actor best known as the man inside of R2-D2 in the Star Wars film series. Baker had also worked with George Lucas outside of the Star Wars films, with an uncredited role as a Nelwyn band member in Willow, as well as a role as the Goblin Corps in Labyrinth.
Baker's other films include 1980's The Elephant Man, 1981's Time Bandits, and the 1986 Jim Henson film Labyrinth. In the late 1990s, Baker launched a stand-up comedy career. Kenny is a first-class mouth-organ player and rates his guest appearance with the James Coutts Scottish Dance Band at Hugh McCaig's Silverstone Party in July 1997 as probably his "finest musical experience."
==Biography==
Kenny Baker, at 3 feet, 8 inches (112 cm) tall, was a circus and cabaret performer with entertainer Jack Purvis when George Lucas hired him to be the man inside R2-D2 in Star Wars in 1977. Baker appears in the first six theatrical Star Wars films, although stock footage was used for much of R2-D2's role in Revenge of the Sith. Baker played an additional role in 1983's Return of the Jedi as Paploo, the Ewok who stole an Imperial speeder bike.
In Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, Baker was credited as "R2 Consultant." R2-D2 in the movie was represented by actor Jimmy Vee.
Baker was hospitalized on April 9, 2008 because of a "mystery illness," and on August 13, 2016, passed away at the age of 81, 11 days before his 82nd birthday.
==Works==
===Filmography===
Year	Title 	Contribution(s)	Notes
1977	Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope 	R2-D2 	
1978	Star Wars Immunization PSA 	R2-D2 	A PSA highlighting children immunization
1980	Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back	R2-D2 	
1983	Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi 	R2-D2, Paploo 	
1999	Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace 	R2-D2 	
2002	Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones 	R2-D2 	
2005	Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith 	R2-D2 	Stock footage was used for most of this movie.
2015	Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens 	R2 Consultant 	
==Sources==
==Notes and references==
==External links==
*Official website
*
*
*
Category:Actors who have portrayed R2-D2
Category:Deceased actors
Category:Star Wars original trilogy actors
Category:Star Wars prequel trilogy actors
Category:Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens actors