Hollywood Remembers ‘Star Wars’ Actor Kenny Baker Who Was the ‘Heart and Soul’ of R2-D2
After news broke that Kenny Baker — the actor who brought the iconic “Star Wars” character R2-D2 to life — had died, the internet broke out with adoring tributes.
Baker, who stood at 3 feet 8 inches tall, played the beloved robot in the first six “Star Wars” films starting with “Episode IV” in 1977.
Mark Hamill, known for playing Luke Skywalker, called Baker “a lifelong friend.”
“I loved his optimism and determination,” he wrote and concluded his tweet with a twist on a famous line. “He WAS the droid I was looking for!”
Writer and actor Edgar Wright wrote “RIP R2D2. Farewell Fidget, Time Bandit. Goodbye Mister Kenny Baker,” alluding to his “Star Wars” character and the role he played in the 1981 British fantasy film “Time Bandits.”
Kenny Baker was 81 when he died.
Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for! pic.twitter.com/rd94OEYaHi
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 13, 2016
Today we lost a dear friend. We’ll miss you, Kenny Baker. https://t.co/Z020FtLQpP pic.twitter.com/xDHvUurUgv
— Star Wars (@starwars) August 13, 2016
RIP R2D2. Farewell Fidget, Time Bandit. Goodbye Mister Kenny Baker. pic.twitter.com/wuiQuCH7g6
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 13, 2016
Rest in peace, Kenny Baker, the heart and soul of R2-D2. pic.twitter.com/NqOpxotxyK
— 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) August 13, 2016
When I was a kid nothing inspired me more than Star Wars and Time Bandits. Kenny Baker was a big part of both. Alas. https://t.co/NNh8vjU1NN
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) August 13, 2016
RIP Kenny Baker best known as R2D2 in the Star Wars movies. Loved him in Time Bandits. pic.twitter.com/ACMCIPd8Jv
— Jonathan Sothcott (@sothcott) August 13, 2016
#RIP #KennyBaker. Sad to say goodbye to a small man with a huge heart & personality. He paved the way for short actors of a generation. x
— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) August 13, 2016
Rest in Peace @starwars legend #KennyBaker – whose name I learned at age 7 because he brought #R2D2 to life. Feels like losing family…
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 13, 2016
So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny. Kenny Baker, Star Wars R2-D2 actor, dies aged 81 https://t.co/9HW6f3MWZl
— Ewan McGregor (@mcgregor_ewan) August 13, 2016
So sad to hear one of my dearest friends passed away. Rest in peace Kenny Baker. Love you. Will miss you! pic.twitter.com/FosdwNysGk
— Daniel Logan (@Daniel_Logan) August 13, 2016
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