There are few more well known icons of light and darkness in the Star Wars universe, and maybe in any universe, than R2-D2 and Darth Vader.

Kenny Baker, who has performed the heroic droid R2-D2 since he first appeared in Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, and David Prowse, the actor behind the dark countenance of Darth Vader in the Classic Trilogy will be appearing at Celebration II at the Indiana Convention Center, May 3-5.

Fans of all ages, who love the connected saga that is Star Wars, will be able to meet Baker and Prowse in the C2 Ventures autograph area. The actors will be signing autographs and visiting with fans, and also appearing onstage for question and answer sessions, and interviews with the Celebration MCs.

Kenny Baker gave the "human" side to Artoo in the first Star Wars film in 1977, and has done the same in each Star Wars film since, including some action in Attack of the Clones. In 1978, as R2-D2, he put his footprints in the cement outside Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Baker started his performing career at 16 years old, joining 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, the late Jack Purvis were nightclub performers together before they performed in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Baker has played characters in a number of films including 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.

David Prowse wore the unforgettable attire of Vader in all three Classic Trilogy films. The image of Vader is one of the most-recognized of Star Wars. Vader's mask and helmet are symbolic of evil, yet the character is also one of the best-loved villains in cinema history.

Anakin Skywalker, who becomes Darth Vader, is the central character of the six Star Wars films. We see him as young Anakin on Tatooine in The Phantom Menace, then as the gifted Padawan learner of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Attack of the Clones. Anakin eventually turns to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader in Episodes IV, V, and VI. At the end of Episode VI Return of the Jedi, Vader is finally redeemed, and turns back to the good side through the intervention of his son, Luke Skywalker.

Although Star Wars fans know him best as Vader, Prowse has also appeared on stage, and in other film productions. The actor was first a competitive weight lifter, and theatrical producers and filmmakers found the imposing Prowse fit well in supernatural roles. He was cast as Death in the play Don't Let Summer Come. Prowse also appeared in classic Hammer Films of the 1960s including The Horror of Frankenstein and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell. He appeared in the film Jabberwocky, and in 1971 the actor worked with Stanley Kubrick in the legendary A Clockwork Orange.

Visit the official Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Celebration II site to register for three spectacular days of Star Wars fun in Indianapolis, and learn the details on programs, guests, displays, and special events.