Kenny Baker, the actor who brought life to R2-D2 in the “Star Wars” films, has died, his niece said. He was 83.
Baker — who appeared in six of the “Star Wars” films as well as documentaries relating to them — had problems with his lungs for many years and was often in a wheelchair.
Baker, who stood 3’ 8”, also appeared in “Time Bandits,” “Labyrinth,” “Willow,” “Flash Gordon” and other projects.
But the plucky R2 unit — part handyman, part hacker, all lovable, irascible droid — was his most memorable role by far. R2 personified the “Star Wars” universe, in which rebels with ramshackle technology manage to overwhelm a sleek, destructive Empire.
