Kenny Baker gave the "human" side to the beloved droid R2-D2 in the first Star Wars film in 1977, and has done the same in each Star Wars film since, including Attack of the Clones. Baker and actor Anthony Daniels, who plays the protocol droid C-3PO, are the only actors to perform in all the Classic Trilogy films and in both prequel films.

Having Baker inside the .96 meter astromech droid "costume" provides needed humanity for the heroic character. From a special seat, Baker rocks the torso from side to side, performs particular head turns, activates lights, and executes other gestures that help give R2-D2 his personality.

Baker started his performing career at the age of 16, when he joined Burton Lester's Midgets. Since then Baker has performed as a DJ, a circus clown and shadow ringmaster, and toured in pantomime and ice shows. He formed his own musical comedy act, The Mini Tones. Baker and his friend Jack Purvis were night club performers together before they performed in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Baker has played characters in many films such as U.F.O, Sleeping Beauty, Labyrinth, Amadeus, Time Bandits, The Elephant Man, Flash Gordon, and The Goodies, and in television films such as Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

In 1978, as R2-D2, Baker put his footprints in the cement outside Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.