Today, the world received some awful news. Kenny Baker has passed away at the age of 81. This is a truly tragic loss. For those of you that are not familiar with Kenny Baker’s work, he played one of the most important roles in Star Wars history – none other than the one and only R2-D2.

Sure, R2-D2 isn’t a Yoda or a Luke or a Bobba Fett, but R2-D2 may have had one of the most important roles in the enitre franchise’s history. I mean, think about it. Him and C3-PO are the only ones to be in every movie in the saga, he is the one that delivers that unforgettable line:

“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

He is the sole reason Princess Amidala’s ship made the blockade when she was escaping Naboo, therefore, we wouldn’t even have a Saga to begin with if it wasn’t for him! But I’m not here to talk about R2-D2, I’m here to talk about Kenny Baker and what kind of impact he had on the sci-fi world.

 

Standing at only three feet and 8 inches, he was able to make one of the most memorable characters in the history of cinema while using so little.

He had been ill these past years and was a consultant on the last Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens. Being someone with such a small stature presented challenges – both physically and mentally but he never let those things stop him. In fact, he set an example that anyone can accomplish anything – not just people with disabilities.

Personally, as a Star Wars fan, growing up knowing how much of a badass R2-D2 was, I am saddened by his passing and send my condolences to his loved ones.

R.I.P.