R2-DOA2

(An epitaphany shared with Patrick)

Or

The butcher, the Baker, the town undertaker

Or

This is the corpse you are looking for

(Kudos to Peter)

Kenny Baker, whose range as an actor matched the range of his wingspan, has died at the age of 81 following a long illness. Baker was a performer in circuses, ice shows and a comedy troupe with fellow midget Jack Purvis when he was hired to sit in a trash can for a little known space opera called Star Wars. Although Baker was originally loath to rock back and forth in the R2D2 costume, the flickering lights, random beeps and stutter step allowed the hyperactive hydrant to capture the hearts of fans through the first 6 movies in the franchise. Baker was slated to appear in The Force Awakens until someone realized it would be cruel to stick an 80-year-old dwarf with a heart condition in a barrel. He did serve as a consultant, apparently advising on how to hold in a fart until the lid gets opened. Baker branched out as a speeder bike-stealing Ewok in Return of the Jedi. Other films included The Elephant Man, Willow, Flash Gordon, Amadeus, Labyrinth and Time Bandits, the Ocean’s 11 of British midget actors.