Description

Kenny Baker signed Autograph | Star Wars photo R2-D2

Authentic Kenny Baker signed Autograph | Star Wars photo measuring 8×10″. Signed in blue marker adding R2-D2 next to his signature. (Slight scruffs on photo)

Baker was born and educated in Birmingham, Warwickshire, and at a boarding school in Kent. He was the son of Ethel (1906–1990), a pianist and dress maker; and Harold Baker (1908–1985), an artist, musician and draughtsman. He went to live with his father, stepmother and half-sister in Hastings, Sussex.

Although his parents were of average height, Baker stood 3 ft 8 in (1.12 m) as an adult.

While working with Purvis and the Minitones, Baker selected by George Lucas to operate the robot (“droid”) R2-D2 in the fantasy feature film Star Wars, released in 1977. Baker recalled that he initially turned down the role, concerned about breaking up the Minitones partnership when the duo had reached the final on the British television talent show Opportunity Knocks.

Baker appears as R2-D2 in six of the episodic theatrical Star Wars films, and played an additional role in 1983’s Return of the Jedi as Paploo, the Ewok who steals an Imperial speeder bike. Originally due to play Wicket, but he fell ill and that role handed over to Warwick Davis. He revealed a feud between him and his co-star Anthony Daniels, claiming Daniels had been rude to him on numerous occasions, and stated that Daniels is rude to everyone, including fans.

Baker continued his association with the R2-D2 character in Star Wars; The Force Awakens, which released on 18 December 2015 in North America. He going to be a member of the cast, but he served as consultant for the character instead. In November 2015, confirmed that Jimmy Vee was cast as R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, replacing Baker.