Hollywood Pays Respects To ‘Star War’s Kenny Baker: “The Heart And Soul Of R2-D2”
REFRESH FOR UPDATES “A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination. He WAS the droid I was looking for!” So said Mark Hamill this morning about his Star Wars co-star Kenny Baker, who died today after a lengthy illness. Baker portrayed iconic droid R2-D2 in six Star Wars films and in the original Star Wars trilogy was the constant companion of Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, sharing as much if not more screen time with him than the other main cast.
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) August 13, 2016
As the news became public, Baker’s Star Wars family, along with fans and admirers influenced by his work, began to weigh in publicly with condolences and tributes to the actor also known for turns in Time Bandits and The Elephant Man among many other films. Among those mourning Baker, 20th Century Fox called him “the heart and soul of R2-D2,” while Ewan McGregor, who played the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels said “it was lovely working with Kenny.” Gary Whitta, screenwriter on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story also joined in, saying that as a child, “nothing inspired me more than Star Wars and Time Bandits.”
Rest in peace, Kenny Baker, the heart and soul of R2-D2. pic.twitter.com/NqOpxotxyK
— 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) August 13, 2016
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) August 13, 2016
When I was a kid nothing inspired me more than Star Wars and Time Bandits. Kenny Baker was a big part of both. Alas. https://t.co/NNh8vjU1NN
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) August 13, 2016
Many of Hollywood’s biggest Star Wars geeks also paid tribute, including Edgar Wright and his frequent collaborator Simon Pegg (who had a small cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens), and Kevin Smith.
RIP R2D2. Farewell Fidget, Time Bandit. Goodbye Mister Kenny Baker. pic.twitter.com/wuiQuCH7g6
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 13, 2016
— Pegg News (@simonpegg) August 13, 2016
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) August 13, 2016
Other famous fans also mourned Baker.
A great one- And, like Napoleon, his stature was measured not from head-to-ground but head-to-sky. A brilliant man. https://t.co/wQMsQ5Sjoz
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) August 13, 2016
Sorry to hear of the passing of Kenny Baker.R2D2 to many,one half of "The Mini Tones" to me. pic.twitter.com/BRilcVDntW
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) August 13, 2016
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