It’s a sad day for Star Wars fans. Kenny Baker, the man who controlled R2-D2 in the original movies, has died at the age of 83.
The actor has passed away after a long battle with illness. He first stepped into the metal body of everybody’s favorite whistling robot in 1977 in Star Wars: A New Hope. He then returned to the role in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. Needless to say, he’s a been a pivotal part of the Star Wars series, directly taking control of the blue and white robot, adding a sense of authenticity to the adventures in a galaxy far, far away.
He also appeared in other popular films such as The Goonies, Time Bandits, and Flash Gordon. You may not have always known it was him, but he added some great content to classic 80s films. While he did not take control of R2-D2 in The Force Awakens, he did serve as a consultant, ensuring that the character remained faithful to the original version.
Star Wars would be a very different franchise without the fantastic work of Mr. Baker. Thank you, Kenny Baker, for all your hard work. And for bringing us a character that has withstood the test of time.
