Kenny Baker
Biography
Kenneth George “Kenny” Baker (24 August 1934 – 13 August 2016) was a British actor and musician born in Birmingham, England. He is most widely recognised for portraying the man inside the droid R2‑D2 across the Star Wars film series, a role that defined his career. Baker’s film work includes appearances in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and the musical drama Amadeus. Over his career he accumulated 43 acting credits, and he was also credited under the names Ken Baker and Ke. He died on 13 August 2016 at the age of 81.
Career overview
Kenneth George “Kenny” Baker (24 August 1934 – 13 August 2016) was a British actor and musician whose career was defined by his work as a performer inside the iconic droid R2‑D2. Born in Birmingham, England, Baker entered the entertainment field as a child actor and later became the physical presence behind the astromech robot that appears throughout the Star Wars saga. His most widely recognized film appearances include the original trilogy’s second installment, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, and the prequel’s third episode, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, where he again operated the R2‑D2 suit. In addition to his contributions to the Star Wars franchise, Baker is credited with a role in the Academy‑Award‑winning film Amadeus. Over the span of his career he accumulated a total of forty‑three acting credits, as recorded by major film databases. Throughout his professional life he was sometimes listed under the variant name Ken Baker or the abbreviation Ke. Baker’s work as the man inside R2‑D2 left a lasting imprint on popular culture, and his performances continue to be celebrated by fans of the science‑fiction series. He passed away on 13 August 2016 at the age of 81.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
44 titles- I Am Your Father (2015) as Himself
- The Real History of Science Fiction (2014) as Self
- The Pixar Story (2007) as R2-D2 (archive footage)
- Manilla Envelopes (2006) as Mr. Ice Cream Van
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) as R2-D2
- Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004) as Self
- The Story of Star Wars (2004) as R2-D2
- When Star Wars Ruled the World (2004) as Self
- Swiss Toni (2003)
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) as R2-D2
- 24 Hour Party People (2002) as Elephant Cleaner at Chester Zoo (uncredited)
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) as R2-D2
- The King and I (1999) as Captain Orton (voice)
- The Unauthorized Star Wars Story (1999) as Self
- Boobs in the Wood (1999) as Bruce Foreskin
- U.F.O. The Movie (1993) as Casanova
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian & The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989) as Dufflepuds
- The Chronicles of Narnia (1988) as Dufflepud
- Willow (1988) as Nelwyn Band Member (uncredited)
- Sleeping Beauty (1987) as Elf
- Casualty (1986) as Archie
- Casualty (1986) as Charles Isaac
- Labyrinth (1986) as Goblin Corps
- Mona Lisa (1986) as Brighton Busker
- Inside the Labyrinth (1986) as Self
- Jeopardy! (1984)
- Amadeus (1984) as Parody Commendatore
- Donald Duck's 50th Birthday (1984) as R2-D2
- Return of the Jedi (1983) as R2-D2 / Paploo
- Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi (1983) as Self
- Ivanhoe (1982) as Jester (uncredited)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982) as Pick Pocket
- Time Bandits (1981) as Fidgit
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as R2-D2
- The Elephant Man (1980) as Plumed Dwarf
- SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as R2-D2 (archive footage)
- The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as Self
- Star Wars (1977) as R2-D2
- The Making of Star Wars (1977) as R2-D2 (uncredited)
- Wombling Free (1977) as Bungo
- Man of the World (1962) as The Croat
- The Avengers (1961) as Circus Clown (uncredited)
- Circus of Horrors (1960) as Dwarf
- Six-Five Special (1957) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kenny Baker best known for?
Kenny Baker is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), 24 Hour Party People (2002), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999).
When and where was Kenny Baker born?
Kenny Baker was born on August 24, 1934 in Birmingham, England, UK. They passed away on August 13, 2016.
How many credits does Kenny Baker have?
Kenny Baker has accumulated over 44 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1957 to 2015.
What is Kenny Baker's background in cinema and television?
Kenneth George “Kenny” Baker (24 August 1934 – 13 August 2016) was a British actor and musician born in Birmingham, England. He is most widely recognised for portraying the man inside the droid R2‑D2 across the Star Wars film series, a role that defined his career. Baker’s film work includes appearances in Star Wars: E...