# RIP Kenny Baker

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-kenny-baker/762685>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 13, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-kenny-baker/762685 "2016-08-13T17:59:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-kenny-baker/762685/21 "2016-08-15T13:50:15Z")

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So I’m sitting in a bar and a midget walks in. The bartender sees him and yells “No fucking way!” He then runs around the bar saying “I got to get a picture!” I’m like, chill dude, that’s pretty fucking rude.

Anyway, Mr. Baker was very accommodating. Apparently he was in town for a Fanboy expo.

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**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-kenny-baker/762685/22 "2016-08-15T22:20:43Z")

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> [@Princhester](#):
>
> I’m probably going to get slammed for saying this but let me make clear; I have nothing at all against Kenny Baker. I also know next to nothing about this subject.
> 
> But I simply don’t understand. R2D2 is a non-humanoid box. He (it, whatever) has no human features and speaks in beeps. Its actions (such as they are) are presumably motor controlled. So (a) why was there even anyone inside? and (b) even assuming R2D2 wasn’t remote controlled and was controlled by an internal operator, why would you have an _actor_ inside since the skills involved would just be operating the movement servos?
> 
> Again, not trying to diss the guy, I’m sure he was great and did a good job, but I just don’t understand.

I used to think like you, but I saw a documentary about Star wars some years ago and Kenny Baker told how Lucas wanted R2D2 to appear uncomfortable and upset, and Baker came up with the wiggling from side to side which I instantly remembered. And then it dawned on me how difficult it is to act not only in a full suit and mask like Peter Mayhew, but inside a freaking box and giving that box a character that everybody remembers. And you can’t dismiss that R2D2 IS a character.

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**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-kenny-baker/762685/23 "2016-08-15T23:08:28Z")

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Actually I had totally forgotten about all the subtle “acting” that R2D2 does, it’s a long time since I’ve seen the films. It all makes sense now.

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