LONDON-- Kenny Baker, the 3-foot 8-inch actor who played R2-D2 in the "Star Wars" films, has died. He was 81.
Baker's nephew and carer, Drew Myserscough, said he found Baker dead Saturday at his home in Preston, northwest England.
PHOTOS | Kenny Baker, R2-D2 actor, dead at 81
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Born in Birmingham, central England, in 1934, Baker started his showbiz career at 16 as part of a troupe of small performers, and later worked as a DJ, circus clown and comedian, according to his official website.
Baker was the actor inside R2-D2's cylindrical costume in George Lucas's 1977 film "Star Wars." The lovable droid and his lanky friend C-3PO became two of the series' most beloved characters.
Baker returned for "The Empire Strikes Back," ''Return of the Jedi" and three prequels released from 1999.
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