Mark Hamill And Other Cast Members Pay Tribute To Late R2-D2 Actor Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker, beloved portrayer of Star Wars droid R2-D2, passed away over the weekend, sparking a lovely sentiment from Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker.

MARK HAMILL PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GREAT KENNY BAKER

Hamill, in his tweet, described Baker as a “lifelong loyal friend” and of course noted that he “WAS the droid I was looking for.”

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 (@HamillHimself) August 13, 2016

Star Wars actors and fans alike took to the internet to pay their respects. “Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances,” George Lucas writes. “A talented vaudevillian who could always make everybody laugh, Kenny was truly the heart and soul of R2-D2 and will be missed by all his fans and everyone who knew him.”

Fellow droid actor Anthony Daniels, known for playing C-3PO, tweeted also, as did Obi-Wan Kenobi portrayer Ewan McGregor. 

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

So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny. Kenny Baker, Star Wars R2-D2 actor, dies aged 81 https://t.co/9HW6f3MWZl

— Ewan McGregor (@mcgregor_ewan) August 13, 2016

Aside from portraying R2-D2, Baker was known for his role as Fidgit in Time Bandits. Baker died Saturday of a longtime illness at age 81.