For actor Kenny Baker, being 3’8” tall has never been an impediment. In fact, he has used his lack of vertical growth to his advantage, carving out a happy life and successful career that culminated in playing one of film’s most recognizable and adored characters: the petulant droid R2-D2 in all six “Star Wars” movies. Unlike Anthony Daniels, who played his stiffly erudite pal C-3PO, Baker had a viable career prior to “Star Wars,” appearing on stage and in film. Even without the 800 pound gorilla on his resume, Baker would have made a good living as an actor.
Born in Solihull, England and raised in Cheltenham from age 6, Baker’s mum, Ethel, ran off to the states with an American G.I., and his father, Harold, died in hospital when Baker was 8. He later attended the Shatesbury Society in London—a Christian group that cared for young people with disabilities—then went to boarding school in Sevenoaks, Kent. At 16, he left school to join Burton Lester’s Midgets and toured England as a performer for three years. He went on to became a DJ with the Mecca Organization, then quickly left to join Billy Smart’s Circus as a clown and shadow Ringmaster. He spent nine years doing pantomime and ice shows before forming the musical comedy act The Mini-Tones with actor Jack Purvis—a thirty-year gig that ferried him across Europe, America and the Middle East.
When asked by George Lucas to play R2-D2, Baker almost turned him down—he had a regular television spot lined up on Hughie Green’s talent variety, “Opportunity Knocks.” But Lucas wanted Baker and asked him to name his price: 800 British pounds per week—the equivalent of doing cabaret—was all he asked for. On set, Baker was lowered into his costume and onto a seat by two people, and once inside, he manipulated two levers to move side to side—but only three inches at a time. Nine out of ten times, it was Baker inside R2-D2 on screen; a remote controlled unit was used only when technicians wanted a speedier droid.
Like other actors in the movie, Baker felt “Star Wars” (1977) would flop. Much to the surprise of everyone, it was more than a hit: it was a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. In 1978, Baker put R2-D2’s footprints into concrete at the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, then reprised the role in two sequels, “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983). Meanwhile, Baker continued acting: he appeared in “Flash Gordon” (1980), “The Elephant Man” (1980) and his personal favorite, “Time Bandits” (1981), in which he played Fidgit, one of six irrepressible dwarves who accompany a young boy (Craig Warnock) on a journey through time. More prominent titles soon dotted his resume: “Amadeus” (1984), “Mona Lisa” (1986) and the children’s fantasy, “Labyrinth” (1986). Then after playing an elf in “Sleeping Beauty” (1987), Baker’s film work took a backseat to performing with Purvis in the Mini-Tones.
In 1992, Purvis stopped touring after losing his wife to epilepsy. Five years later, Purvis himself passed on and Baker toured Britain in the one-man comedy show, “Kenny Baker.” When Lucas decided to make the first three episodes of the “Star Wars” saga, Baker happily revived his beloved character: “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999), “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002) and “Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005) were released to eager fans. All three movies made absurd amounts of money despite critical misgivings, particularly for the first two episodes. Baker and onscreen pal Daniels—both are decidedly unfriendly off screen—had little screen time compared to the previous films, but both were happy to be part of the action. Meanwhile, Baker made some headlines he’d rather not have: before the release of "Episode III," he got behind the wheel after a couple drinks and was arrested for drunk driving. To add insult to injury, the police logged his information onto a computer nicknamed C-3PO.