R2-D2 Actor Kenny Baker Dies at 83
Iconic R2-D2 actor passed away after a long illness, aged 83
KENNY Baker, the man behind Star Wars" legendary R2-D2, has died.
He passed away, aged 83, after a long illness.
The late actor shot to fame back in 1977, when he first played the robot character in the first film, A New Hope.
He retained his role in The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.
Kenny Baker has died, aged 83 [Wenn]
As well as the blockbusters, he also appeared in The Goonies, Time Bandits and Flash Gordon, as well as a number of other hits.
Speaking to The Guardian, his niece, Abigail Shield, paid tribute to the actor, saying: "It was expected, but it"s sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life.
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"He brought lots of happiness to people and we"ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. He did extremely well in his life.
"He was very ill for the last few years so we had been expecting it. He had been looked after by one of his nephews, who found him on Saturday morning."
Tributes poured in for the late actor [Getty]
Fans took to Twitter to mourn the iconic actor, with one writing: "RIP Kenny Baker. The greatest droid in the galaxy #R2D2," while another commented: "Tell me it"s not true #kennybaker."
A third said: "Though Kenny Baker became one with the force, we remember him for what he gave us and who he was"
ActorKenny Baker, who playedR2-D2 in the Star Wars films, died on 13 August, age 83, after a long ilnness [Getty ]
A look at the celebrities from the UK and around the world who have sadly passed away this year
"#RIP Kenny Baker. Thanks 4 bringing 1 of the greatest film characters to life R2D2,Will never be forgotten #Starwars," a fan added.
Our thoughts are with Kenny"s family and friends at this tragic time.
Source: http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/586760/tributes-pour-in-as-star-wars-legend-kenny-baker-dies
