Kenneth George Baker was born on the 24th August 1934, in Birmingham, England, and was an actor, probably best recognized for starring in the role of R2-D2 in the “Star Wars” franchise. His career was active from the early 1960s to 2015, when he passed away.
So, have you ever wondered how rich Kenny Baker was? According to authoritative sources, it was estimated that the total size of Kenny’s net worth was over $2 million, accumulated through his successful career in the entertainment industry as a professional actor. Another source came from selling his autobiographical book “From Tiny Acorns: The Kenny Baker Story” (2009).
Kenny Baker Net Worth $2 Million
Kenny Baker was the only child of Ethel, who was a well-known pianist and dress maker, and Harold G. Baker, who was a musician and artist. He spent his childhood in his hometown, where he attended elementary school, after which he moved to Kent, and was enrolled at boarding school. When his parents divorced, he went to live with his father in Hastings, Sussex. Although his parents were of average height, he stood just 3 ft 8 in (1.12 m) tall.
Prior to beginning of his professional acting career, Kenny was a member of a theatrical troupe of dwarves and midgets, and parallel with that, he was also a member of a circus. Bright and talented, he co-formed the comedy act Minitones together with Jack Purvis, and soon after, he was spotted by George Lucas, who selected him for the role of R2-D2 in the first film of the “Star Wars” franchise in 1977, named “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”. In the following years, he repeated his role in “The Star Wars Holiday Special” (1978), “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”, “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983), in which he starred as Paploo as well. All of these helped him to make a name for himself, and increased his net worth by a large margin, as he appeared in six “Star Wars” films.
Beside “Star Wars”, Kenny appeared in other TV and film titles, such as “The Elephant Man” (1980) playing Plumed Dwarf, “Time Bandits” (1981) as Fidgit, and “Mona Lisa” (1986) in the role of Brighton Busker. In 1989, he was chosen to portray Dufflepud in the TV series “Prince Caspian And The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader”, and in 1993 he starred as Casanova in the film “U.F.O.”, adding a lot to his net worth. To speak further of his accomplishments, Kenny also made appearances in such titles as “The King And I” (1999), “The Cage” (2002), and “The Battersea Ripper” (2006).
When it comes to speak about his personal life, Kenny Baker was married to actress Eileen Baker (1970-1993), with whom he had two children. Neither of their children inherits their dwarfism. Kenny died after a brief illness at the age of 81 on the 13th August 2016 in Preston, Lancashire, England.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars, Time Bandits, The Empire Strikes Back, The Elephant Man, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Amadeus, Star War...
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Trademark
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Best known as R2D2 from the Star Wars films
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Thick English accent
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Short stature
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Quote
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[on Anthony Daniels] Anthony doesn't mix at all-he keeps himself to himself. He never wants to have a drink with any of us. Once when I said hello to him he just turned his back on me and said, 'Can't you see I'm having a conversation?' I was blazing with rage. It was the rudest thing anyone had ever done to me. I was furious. It was unbelievable.
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I started out Ice skating with 'Holiday On Ice' and just got offered the part of R2 by chance.
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I've been in show business for 50, no, 60 years. I was approached in school to join a variety act.
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I skated in ice shows all over Europe and South Africa for 20 years. I love to ice skate.
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Fact
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He was the son of Ethel (Heath) and Harold G. Baker.
(1997-) Tours as a one man stand-up comedy show called "Kenny Baker".
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He now lives in Ashton, Preston in the north west of England. [January 2005]
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Children with Eileen Baker did not inherit their parents' dwarfism.
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He and Anthony Daniels are the only actors to have a role in all seven Star Wars movies. However, Baker worked only as an uncredited consultant in the seventh film while Daniels actually appeared in all seven films.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
When the Devil Rides Out
post-production
One Night at the Aristo
2013
Short
The Bartender (voice)
Casualty
1992-2007
TV Series
Charles Isaac / Archie
The Battersea Ripper
2006
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
2005
R2-D2
Swiss Toni
2003
TV Series
Guyler
The Cage
2002
Short
Merlin
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
2002
R2-D2
24 Hour Party People
2002
Zookeeper (uncredited)
Boobs in the Wood
1999
Video
Bruce the convict
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
1999
R2-D2
The King and I
1999
Captain Orton (voice, as Ken Baker)
U.F.O.
1993
Casanova
Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie
1990
TV Series
Invisible Demon
Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader
1989
TV Series
Dufflepud
Willow
1988
Nelwyn Band Member (uncredited)
Sleeping Beauty
1987
Elf
Star Tours
1987
Short
R2-D2 (uncredited)
Labyrinth
1986
Goblin Corps
Mona Lisa
1986
Brighton Busker
Der Rosenkavalier
1985
TV Movie
Baron Och's Retinue
Amadeus
1984
Parody Commendatore
The Adventure Game
1984
TV Series
HRH The Rangdo of Arg
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
1983
R2-D2 Paploo
Ivanhoe
1982
TV Movie
Jester (uncredited)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1982
TV Movie
Pick Pocket
The Goodies
1980-1981
TV Series
Dwarf / EB-GB
Time Bandits
1981
Fidgit
Star Wars Underoos
1980
Short
R2-D2
The Elephant Man
1980
Plumed Dwarf
Flash Gordon
1980
Dwarf
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
1980
R2-D2
The Muppet Show
1980
TV Series
R2-D2
Wombling Free
1978
Bungo
The Star Wars Holiday Special
1978
TV Movie
R2-D2 (as R2-D2)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
1977
R2-D2
Dave Allen at Large
1975
TV Series
Salesman
Man of the World
1962
TV Series
The Croat
Circus of Horrors
1960
Dwarf (uncredited)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
3-2-1
1987
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Time Bandits
1981
performer: "Me And My Shadow"
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Adventure Game
1980
TV Series animatronics operator: The Rangdo of Arg - 1980
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Star Wars Show
2016
TV Series short in loving memory of - 1 episode
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy
2004
Video documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
I Am Your Father
2015
Documentary
Himself
The Real History of Science Fiction
2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Sky Midnight News
2013
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Podge and Rodge Show
2010
TV Series
Himself
Bring Back... Star Wars
2008
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Greatest Ever Blockbuster Movies
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The 100 Greatest Family Films
2005
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Jeopardy!
2005
TV Series
Himself / R2-D2
The Paul O'Grady Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
'Star Wars': Feel the Force
2005
TV Movie documentary
Himself
GMTV
2005
TV Series
Himself
The Ultimate Film
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
When Star Wars Ruled the World
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Ultimate Sci-Fi Top 10
2004
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy
2004
Video documentary
Himself - 'R2-D2'
Dwarves in Showbiz
2002
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - Webisodes
2001
Video documentary
Himself
The Unauthorized 'Star Wars' Story
1999
Video documentary
Himself
This Morning
1999
TV Series
Himself
Light Lunch
1998
TV Series
Himself
Going Live!
1989
TV Series
Himself
3-2-1
1987
TV Series
Himself - Guest Star
Inside the Labyrinth
1986
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Donald Duck's 50th Birthday
1984
TV Special short
R2-D2
Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi
1983
TV Movie documentary
Himself R2D2 Paploo
The 1980 Sci-Fi Awards
1980
TV Special
Himself (as R2D2)
The Making of 'Star Wars'
1977
TV Movie documentary
Host - R2-D2 (uncredited)
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Star Wars Show
2016
TV Series short
Himself
America's Book of Secrets
2013
TV Series
R2D2
Tracks
2013
TV Series documentary
Himself
Prophets of Science Fiction
2012
TV Series documentary
R2-D2
20 to 1
2010
TV Series documentary
R2-D2
A New Chapter: The Story of 'The Force Unleashed'
2008
Video documentary short
R2-D2
5 Second Movies
2008
TV Series
R2-D2
El imperio de los fans
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself (uncredited)
The Directors
2000
TV Series documentary
Fidgit
Muppet Babies
1987
TV Series
R2-D2
Known for movies
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) as R2-D2
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as R2-D2
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) as R2-D2 / Paploo
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) as R2-D2