The actor’s calling card may be his only, far from always the main role. This is exactly what happened with the English performer Kenny Baker. He was glorified by the role of the R2-D2 robot in George Lucas’s legendary Star Wars epic. A gifted artist is also known as a musician.
Kenneth George “Kenny” Baker began his film career in the sixties of the last century. One of the most sought-after Hollywood artists was made not only by his specific appearance, but also by his considerable talent.
Vocation
The biography of the future celebrity began in 1934. The boy was born in Birmingham, England on August 24 in a family engraver. He studied at Kenny boarding school. Being the only child in the family, Baker dreamed of continuing his father's business. However, he failed to get an education.
From peers, the boy was very different from early childhood. However, this did not adversely affect his character. Kenny was characterized by a great desire for creativity, everyone was struck by the wealth of the inner world. These qualities were kept with him forever. Baker showed considerable determination. Insurmountable barriers for him did not exist.
He found his calling unexpectedly. On the street in 1951 a stranger approached the young man, who called himself an employee of the theater. He invited Baker to work in a troupe. After Kenny's consent, his artistic career began. He worked in a circus, shone on the stage of a cabaret. The artist always knew how to captivate spectators. Kenny's skill was appreciated by professionals.
An assistant director in the early sixties drew attention to an extraordinary artist. He was just looking for a performer of one role. Kenny fit perfectly into the type. An employee invited Baker to star in a horror movie. No samples were required: the applicant was approved immediately.
On the screen, Kenny played the role of a dwarf. True, the appearance of his hero lasted so little time that the name of the debutant was not indicated in the credits. But the audience remembered the charming little thing.
In the course of action in post-war England, there is a search for the surgeon Rossiter, after the operation of which the patient was injured. The doctor manages to escape to France with assistants. Under a new name, the doctor meets the owner of the circus Van. He is concerned about the condition of his daughter, disfigured after the bombing. After the operation, Nicole again becomes a beauty. A grateful parent makes the savior of the girl a co-owner of the circus. However, after his mysterious death, Schuler remains the sole owner of the business.
He does not change his profession. Even during the successful tour of the group in Europe, the new director changes the appearance of the newly recruited artists and keeps everyone subordinate under the threat of exposing their dark past. Dissatisfied with his appearance. For girls, the doctor suggests surgery, after which the patients are transformed. However, the price is life in the "Temple of Beauty" by Schuler, in his circus. Those who wish to leave the doctor soon die.
Successful career
The new work was "The Man of the World." True, there the actor got a small role. Then followed the shootings in The Bandit of Time, Amadeus, The Labyrinth and Monet Lise. By the end of the seventies, Kenny could fully call himself an experienced artist. A great school for him was the work in the circus.
Director George Lucas invited Kenny to participate in his film Star Wars. At first, Baker weighed the pros and cons. He was well aware that the work would take a lot of time. Therefore, performances in the circus will have to be reduced. The future performer hesitated, not wanting to let employers and fans down.
Lucas decided on a trick: he handed Ken no script. After reading it, the actor did not doubt for a moment. He gave his consent. According to the plot, the whole galaxy is in the power of the emperor. Princess Leia Organa, who became one of the rebels, decides to ask for help. She sends in search of associates of the droids. Incidentally, C-3PO and R2-D2 are in pilot Luke Skywalker. Hero Kenny escapes to find Kenobi. Thanks to the droid, the pilot finds out who he is and what happened in the past. Together with Obi-Wan, he goes to help Leah.
To their side, the Jedi attract the smuggler Han Solo. He helps save the princess. Ahead of them is a difficult battle with enemies.
Baker had a very hard time on the set. However, the artist coped with all the overlays and difficulties. He took part in most episodes of the space saga. Although the droid did not appear in the third series, the name of the performer of his role was included in the list of main actors of all parts. The audience was very pleased with the bright character. In 1983, in Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi, the performer also played one of the Ewoks.
Confession
In the eighties, the famous droid took part in the Muppets. In the same period, Kenny starred in the sci-fi movie "Flash Gordon" in the form of a dwarf. According to the plot, the destruction of the Earth occurred to the dictator of the planet Monroe. The main character and girlfriend decide to defeat the enemy.
In the fantastic tale "Bandits of the Time" Baker got one of the main characters, Fitgub. The story begins with the sudden appearance in Kevin’s room of six strange characters in an old carriage. The company takes the kid with him, fleeing the Creature pursuing them.
On the way, the dwarfs explain to the new fellow traveler that due to the disagreement that began between them and the Supreme Being, they have to flee from the previous boss, moving in time. But the Spirit of Evil also hunts for them. Along the way, companies meet historical figures. They are often represented in a comic light.
