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Kenny Baker, actor who played R2-D2 in ‘Star Wars’ series, dies at 81

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Kenny Baker

Actor Kenny Baker, 81, best known for his role as the droid R2-D2 in Star Wars movies, has died.

His niece, Abigail Shield, said he was found dead by a nephew on Saturday at his home in northwest England after a long illness.

Kenny Baker, left, and George Lucas greet each other at the European premiere of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens ‘ in London, Dec. 16, 2015.

Baker premiered as smart and smart-alecky R2-D2 in the orginial Star Wars movie, in 1977. He continued the role in the three original Star Wars films and the three prequels.

His companion droid, C-3PO, was played by Anthony Daniels in all seven movies. Scottish actor Jimmy Vee played R2-D2 in the latest installment, “The Force Awakens.”

The bio on Baker’s website says the 3’8″ actor started performing at 16 with Burton Lester’s Midgets before joining Billy Smart’s Circus as a clown. He was touring with actor Jack Purvis when the Star Wars roles came along; Purvis plays a Jawa in the original film.

Shield told The Guardian: “When he was a child, he was told that he probably wouldn’t survive through puberty, being a little person in those times, they didn’t have a very good life expectancy. He did extremely well in his life. He was very ill for the last few years so we had been expecting it.

Baker’s other films include “Elephant Man,” “Time Bandits” and “Flash Gordon.”

He and his wife, who died in 1993, had two children.