Star Wars actor Kenny Baker dies aged 83

KENNY Baker, the actor behind the iconic R2-D2 and stars of films like Time Bandits and Flash Gordon has died at the age of 83.

Kenny Baker was well loved for portraying several iconic characters including R2-D2. Picture: Wikimedia

The actor, who was 3ft 8in tall, had suffered from serious illness during the last few years.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper his niece, Abigail Shield, paid tribute to her uncle, saying: “It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life. He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.”

Shield added: “He had problems with his lungs and was often in a wheelchair. He was very poorly for a long time. He was asked to go out to LA for the new Star Wars premiere but he was told he was too ill to travel. Luckily he did manage to meet George Lucas again when he came to Manchester.”

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