article: Baker made his name as the robot in the first Star Wars film in 1977 alongside Anthony Daniels' C-3PO character. Lucas said Baker was "a real gentleman" and Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, said he had lost "a lifelong friend". Born in Birmingham, Baker's other films include Time Bandits and Flash Gordon. Star Wars R2-D2 actor Kenny Baker dies Preston pays tribute to R2-D2 actor 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." Writing on Twitter, Hamill said: "Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!" Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, added his voice to the tributes, tweeting: "Sad to hear of Kenny's passing. One of the truly original cast, so famed for his iconic role as R2. He'll always be remembered by so many fans." C-3PO may have once described him as a "nearsighted scrap pile" and an "overweight glob of grease", but he like film fans all over the world has always had a huge degree affection for R2-D2. Artoo's appearance may have been likened by some to that of an industrial vacuum cleaner, but Kenny Baker worked hard to make sure he managed to convey the right emotions at key moments. Kenny used an array of movements ranging from subtly shuffling himself forward to rocking from side to side to give the robot personality. Together with the Ben Burtt-designed whistles and beeps that are Artoo's voice, it made the droid as real a character as any other in the saga - human or alien. We were all also able to relate to Artoo; here was a character who bickered with his friend C-3PO, occasionally manipulated those around him and displayed his courage when necessary. We may never have been able to understand exactly what the astromech droid was saying, but we always seemed to know what he was thinking, thanks to the way Kenny Baker was able to humanise him. Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VIII, tweeted: "Rest in peace Kenny Baker. It was a pleasure to meet you & thank you for all the joy you brought us." Chris Weitz, one of the screenwriters for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is due out this December, wrote the touching tribute: "RIP Kenny Baker. You made my childhood better, " while Greg Grunberg, who played Snap Wexley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, simply added: "RIP 'Star Wars' Kenny Baker. So sad." Ant Man writer and Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright paid tribute by tweeting: "RIP R2D2. Farewell Fidget, Time Bandit. Goodbye Mister Kenny Baker." Game of Thrones star Daniel Portman, who plays squire Podrick Payne, added: "Met Kenny Baker multiple times, a real
summary: Star Wars' George Lucas and Mark Hamill are among the big names paying tribute to actor Kenny Baker, who has died aged 81, describing him as "the heart and soul of R2-D2".