Actor Kenny Baker Dead

The actor that played R2-D2 from “Star Wars,” has died at the age of 81-years-old. The British actor made the droid come to life on screen and will be missed by many.

Baker was being cared for by his nephew, Andrew Myerscough, who discovered his body Saturday morning. Kenny Baker had been suffering for years with a lung condition.

Many did not expect the short – 3 foot, 8 inches in stature – actor to live beyond his teenage years, due to the fact that he was a ‘little person.” However, he defied all odds and lived past 80.

Up until his last minutes here on earth with family, Baker was always in good spirits. Even watching the Olympic games on television. His one wish was to die peacefully and it looks like he got his wish.

The name Kenny is a diminutive of Kenneth, which is an Anglicized form of both Cinaed and Coinneach meaning “handsome.” The name was given to the Scottish king Kenneth (Cinaed) mac Alpin in the 9th Century, who united the Picts and Scots. Popularized by Sir Walter Scott, beyond Scotland, who used it for the name of a hero in the novel “The Talisman.”

There have been many famous men over the years with a form of this name, like Kenneth Grahame the British novelist – writer of “The Wind in the Willows." Now the list will include the famous actor from “Star Wars,” who played R2-D2 called Kenny Baker. A small man who made a big impact.