Kenny Baker -- the 3'8"" actor who played the beloved droid R2-D2 in the first six Star Wars films -- has died at the age of 81.

Actor Kenny Baker.

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According to the Guardian , Baker passed away after a long illness. The actor had been confined to a wheelchair in recent years due to lung problems.Baker's niece, Abigail Shield, informed the paper: "It was expected, but it’s sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life. He brought lots of happiness to people and we’ll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We’re all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime.”Baker may have found fame thanks to being the actor inside R2-D2, but his filmography includes many other notable credits such as Time Bandits, Flash Gordon, The Goonies, Amadeus, The Elephant Man, Mona Lisa, and Labyrinth.Baker was born on August 24, 1934, in Birmingham, UK. As he recalled on his personal site , "The Shaftesbury Society in London helped me overcome my height difficulties; they are a Christian group which cares for young people with disabilities. I started performing in 1950 at the age of 16 when I joined the Burton Lester’s Midgets as a performer. Shortly after I became a DJ with Mecca Organization before joining Billy Smart’s Circus as a clown and shadow Ringmaster. Later in my career I toured the country for 9 years doing panto and ice shows, where I met the queen. After leaving the ice, I formed a musical comedy act: The Mini Tones."From there Baker partnered for a nightclub act with Jack Purvis, who also went on to perform in Star Wars.On behalf of IGN and its community, thank you, Mr. Baker, for your years of entertainment. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Baker's loved ones.(Correction: Our initial report said Kenny Baker was 83. We regret the error.)