PhotoKenny Baker, the British actor who rose to fame by playing the robot R2-D2 in six “Star Wars” films, died on Saturday. His death was confirmed by a spokeswoman for Lucasfilm, the company that created and produces the enormously popular “Star Wars” franchise. Mr. Baker was a little person whose adult height was widely reported to be 3 feet 8 inches. (Mr. Purvis also acted in “Star Wars,” playing the diminutive, cloaked Jawa who shoots R2-D2, Mr. Baker said.) That role began with the 1977 release of “Star Wars,” but it was a part he almost did not take.

Source: New York Times August 13, 2016 19:30 UTC