PUMANAW na ang aktor na si Kenny Baker na gumanap na R2-D2 sa Star Wars, kinumpirma ng CBS NEWS.
Nakilala ang 3’8” na aktor nang una siyang gumanap sa Star Wars noong 1977, at naulit ang kanyang role sa The Empire Strikes Back noong 1980 at Return of the Jedi noong 1983, pati na rin sa tatlong prequel ng pelikula mula 1999 hanggang 2005. Nagsilbi ring bilang consultant si Baker sa The Force Awakens noong 2015.
Pumanaw ang aktor, na napanood din sa mga pelikula ng The Elephant Man, Time Bandits at Flash Gordon, noong Sabado sa kanyang tahanan sa Preston, northwest England, pagkaraan ng ilang taon problema sa paghinga.
Sinabi ng pamangkin at caregiver ni Baker na si Drew Myerscough sa Sky News na ang pagmamahal mula sa mga Star Wars fans sa buong mundo “kept him going, without any doubt.”
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“He was amazed that, even after 30-odd years, the fans still basically adored him,” aniya
Kinagigiliwan din si Baker ni George Lucas, na naglabas ng heartfelt statement sa pagpanaw ng aktor.
“Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances,” ani Lucas. “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.”
Ibinahagi rin ni Ewan McGregor, nagbida kasama si Baker sa Star Wars prequel, sa Twitter ang kanyang pakikiramay.
“So sorry to hear about this. It was lovely working with Kenny,” saad niya.
“Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination,” tweet din ni Mark Hamill. “He WAS the droid I was looking for!” (ET Online)
