Star Wars’ beloved R2-D2 dies at 81

STAR Wars actor Mark Hamill has led the tributes to British actor Kenny Baker — the saga’s loveable droid R2-D2 — who has died aged 81 after a long illness.

Kenny Baker pictured with the costume that made him famous at a Star Wars fan convention in Melbourne, 1997.

STARS and fans of Star Wars have paid tribute to British actor Kenny Baker — the saga’s loveable droid R2-D2 — who has died aged 81 after a long illness.

Baker, who measured one metre tall, had problems with his lungs and had been ill for some time, his niece Abigail Shield told local media.

“He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world,” she told The Guardian.

“We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.”

Baker played the resourceful droid known for his whistles and beeps in the original Star Wars movie in 1977 and in the five following movies.

He also received a credit in last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and attended the European premiere in London in December in a wheelchair.

Actor Kenny Baker, who portrayed the R2-D2 in the first Star Wars movie, died on Saturday. Picture: AP

Star Wars star Mark Hamill led the online tributes to Baker, riffing on a much-quoted line from the 1977 film:

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

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

#RIP #KennyBaker. Sad to say goodbye to a small man with a huge heart & personality. He paved the way for short actors of a generation. x

— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) August 13, 2016

You left your legendary marks #KennyBaker #rip to a lovely gent and a fantastic legacy. @starwars

— Dominic Monaghan. (@DomsWildThings) August 13, 2016

Anthony Daniels, who played R2-D2’s on-screen friend C3PO and with whom Baker had a frosty relationship dating back decades, revealed Baker was never actually on set in the making of last year’s movie.

Shield told Sky News television: “Unfortunately he was too ill to be part of the new Star Wars films.

“He was due to fly out to LA (for the most recent premiere) but doctors told him he was too unwell to fly. But he was consulted by certain people.”

She added: “He obviously enjoyed the time working at Star Wars, it gave him a whole new different view on his disability.”

Baker was born in Birmingham on August 24, 1934. He began performing at the age of 16 with a troupe called “Burton Lester’s Midgets”.

As well as Star Wars, he starred in cult movies from the 1980s such as Time Bandits and Flash Gordon.