Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 for decades, has died

Kenny Baker, the actor who played Artoo, has died at the age of 81. The 3 foot, 8 inch actor was the man inside the droid for the original and prequel trilogies. He also played Paploo the Ewok in Return of the Jedi, and appeared in Time Bandits and Flash Gordon

Baker has been ill for some time. “It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life,” his niece, Abigail Shield, told the Guardian. “He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.”

Peter Mayhew posted “a final farewell to my little friend with the giant heart” on Chewbacca.com on Monday.

“Goodbye #KennyBaker,” Mark Hamill tweeted. “A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination. He WAS the droid I was looking for!” Fellow actors Ewan McGregor and Warwick Davis also posted remembrances on Twitter.

George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy spoke about Baker on StarWars.com. Lucas calls him “a real gentleman” and “an incredible trooper,” while Kennedy says “There is no Star Wars without R2-D2, and Kenny defined who R2-D2 was and is. He will be greatly missed.”

Under the cut, tweets remembering Baker.

Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for! pic.twitter.com/rd94OEYaHi

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) August 13, 2016

#RIP #KennyBaker. Sad to say goodbye to a small man with a huge heart & personality. He paved the way for short actors of a generation. x

— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) August 13, 2016

https://twitter.com/simonpegg/status/764520612425506816

https://twitter.com/pablohidalgo/status/764492438111006722
https://twitter.com/pablohidalgo/status/764494214604345344
https://twitter.com/pablohidalgo/status/764494431126851584

Keep rocking across the cosmos, Mr. Baker.
*whistle beep* pic.twitter.com/PD1PYeRhJo

— Gray Whitten (@el_gray) August 13, 2016

https://twitter.com/FirstOrderPod/status/764498313164890112

https://twitter.com/pablohidalgo/status/764498788845170688

https://twitter.com/TheApexFan/status/764502348412530689

https://twitter.com/missingwords/status/764519695248523264

RIP to the wonderful Kenny Baker. Gutted to lose you, but you brought happiness to millions. Can't ask for more than that.

— Jennifer Heddle (@jenheddle) August 13, 2016

I remember hosting a dinner for Star Wars celebs at DragonCon in 2002. Mr. Baker enjoyed his wine and was the life of the party. Good man.

— Albin Johnson (@tk210) August 13, 2016

First time I met #KennyBaker I was in full Fett armor. He said, "Hot, aren't you? Better you than me, this time!" Shared a good laugh.

— Albin Johnson (@tk210) August 13, 2016

A sad day for Star Wars fans. I met Kenny only a few times, but he was so gracious and warm that he made me feel like a friend.

— Troy Denning (@TDenningauthor) August 13, 2016

https://twitter.com/swankmotron/status/764566071420477440

https://twitter.com/isDARTHVADER/status/764566466200936448

Sad to hear of Kenny’s passing.1 of the truly original cast, so famed for his iconic role as R2. He'll always be remembered by so many fans.

— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) August 14, 2016

It was an honor to have met Kenny on the set of Ep7, very sad to hear of his passing #RIPKennyBaker

— Joonas Suotamo (@JoonasSuotamo) August 14, 2016