Stock Photo - August 13, 2016 - File - The British actor who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars films has died at the age of 83 after a long illness. KENNY BAKER, who was 3ft 8in tall, shot to fame in 1977 when he first played the robot character. Baker also appeared in a number of other much-loved films in the 1980s, including The Elephant Man, Time Bandits and Flash Gordon. Pictured: May 05, 1980 - Stars Of 'The Empire Strike Back' AT The royal Premiere In London: The Royal Premiere of the film 'The Empire Strikes Back' took place place at the Empire Leicester Square in London last night in the presents of Princess Margaret. Photo Shows 3ft in Kenny Baker who plays the part of R2-D2 in the film with his wife at the Premiere last night. (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)