MOVIE NEWS – Mark Hamill remembers his Star Wars co-star Kenny Baker, who died Saturday at age 81.
“He WAS the droid I was looking for!” wrote Mark Hamill, aka Luke Skywalker, about his “lifelong loyal friend” Baker, who played R2-D2.

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) 2016. augusztus 13.

“Kenny Baker” became a national trending term on Twitter with some other co-stars and fans sharing their feelings on the actor.
The British actor Kenny Baker, who played as R2-D2 in six Star Wars films, passed away aged 81 after a long illness, his niece has confirmed. Baker made his name as the robot in the first Star Wars film in 1977 together with Anthony Daniels’s C-3PO character.

Star Wars creator George Lucas paid tribute to a “real gentleman” and Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker in the films – also told he had lost “a lifelong friend.” Born in Birmingham, Baker’s other films include Time Bandits and Flash Gordon. After starring in the original Star Wars film he also appeared in the sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and the three prequels between 1999 and 2005.

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) 2016. augusztus 13.

He later performed at Star Wars fan conventions across the world. Baker’s agent Johnny Mans said the actor had been ill for a couple of years. He told the press: “Kenny was truly a great friend, one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet, and a fabulous and talented performer.”

Very sorry to hear about Kenny. He was a great personal friend that I thoroughly enjoyed working with. #KennyBaker pic.twitter.com/z6mwhrZOi0

— DARTH VADER (@isDARTHVADER) 2016. augusztus 13.

Mans defined him as “a one-off” saying he would “never forget the laughs we shared over the years.”
“He will be sadly missed,” he added.
George Lucas said: “Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances.”
“A talented vaudevillian who could always make everybody laugh, Kenny was truly the heart and soul of R2-D2 and will be missed by all his fans and everyone who knew him.”

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) 2016. augusztus 13.

“Regular guy.”

Baker’s nephew, Drew Myerscough, told he had cared for Baker for “eight or nine years” after he developed respiratory problems.

He said his uncle, who lived in Preston, had a passion for wildlife documentaries and had “a liking for lasagne.”

“He was just an ordinary, down-to-earth, regular guy that enjoyed life,” he told the BBC.
He said the pair “rarely” discussed Star Wars, but added: “His fans worldwide kept him going and he loved nothing more than going to conventions and meeting everybody – it gave him that extra lease of life.”