Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in 'Star Wars,' dead at 81
LONDON (AP) — 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.
Mark Hamill, the Star Wars series' Luke Skywalker, tweeted: Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination.
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."
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?"