Elstree Calling

Kenny Baker. Photo: © Kenny Baker (used with permission)

Kenny Baker Interview:

Arguably best-known for being the man inside R2-D2 in the Star Wars film series, entertainer Kenny Baker has been in the 'business' for nearly 60 years.

Baker is currently working on a new book about his life which is entitled: From Tiny Acorns - The Kenny Baker Story. The book will tell how the entertainer grew from humble beginnings to becoming a much-loved figure in the entertainment business.

Recently I was lucky enough to be able to interview Kenny via email. In this interview he primarily recalls his time working on the Star Wars films and life at Elstree Studios.

Paul: What inspired you to become an entertainer?

Kenny: I wasn't inspired to become an entertainer. Like most things in my life things have just fallen into place by sheer coincidence. By pure chance while I was at a loose end after leaving school, I spotted a midget show in Hastings, where I was staying at the time, I was approached by a dwarf lady who was in the show whilst looking at photographs in the box office window. She invited me to come backstage after the show to meet the manager Mr Burton Lester and he offered me a spot in the show, even though I didn't have any previous experience.   

Paul: What events lead to you being offered the role of R2-D2 in the film Star Wars?

Kenny: By pure luck and coincidence I was working in and around London with Jack Purvis and my partner in The Mini Tones (a musical comedy act that I formed) and, as I was well-known in the 'business'. I received a call to say that some American film people were in town. Rumour was that they were looking for a small person to fit into a robot. I went to the offices of 20th Century Fox in Soho Square, London, where I was introduced to George Lucas. Lucas looked at me and immediately said: "You'll do."

Paul: What was it like to work with George Lucas and the cast and crew of the Star Wars films?

Kenny: I was very impressed with George Lucas because right from the start he knew exactly what he wanted, even when sceptics told him the films didn't have a chance of succeeding because nobody would understand them.

Being inside the robot, I didn't really get the chance to meet a lot of the actors because there would only be whoever was needed on set at any particular time.

The major stars often stayed in the best hotels away from the rest of the cast, but people like Dave Prowse (Darth Vader) and Jeremy Bullock (Boba Frett) and I lived very close to Elstree Studios when filming in the UK so were able to go home at night. 

Paul: What are your favourite memories of working on the Star Wars film series?

Kenny: Most of the time filming was very uncomfortable for Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and me, so my most memorable moments were out in the Arizona Desert and attending lavish barbecues with the likes of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.

Paul: I have been lucky enough to meet, work with and interview Dave Prowse (Darth Vader). What memories do you have or working with Dave?

Kenny: I first met Dave when he was working as a bouncer in Bristol around the time he was the Green Cross Code man in the TV ads.

I didn't get to see Dave much whilst filming because if we were both on the same set as each other we both came from different wardrobe departments and literally did what we had to do before going to our respective dressing rooms.

It was Dave, incidentally, who contacted me and asked if I would like to go over to America to attend a Star Wars signing convention. After that we both never looked back, as they were highly-successful and lucrative.

Paul: Which of all of the Star Wars films is your personal favourite?

Kenny: My favourite of the series is Return of the Jedi.

Paul: What memories do you have of working at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire?

Kenny: My best memory of Elstree Studios is that it had a good bar! I used to spend time after filming ended socialising with the lighting, sound and special effects technicians.

Paul: What are your memories of working on the film Labyrinth (which starred David Bowie) at Elstree Studios?  

Kenny: My worst memory of filming Labyrinth was when we were filming on a village location and a cannonball was meant to be fired across the set. A few seconds later it was discovered that sparks from the effect had set fire to my costume and I had to be thrown down to the ground and the fire quickly put out before it did any serious damage.

I only ever saw David Bowie on set and didn't get chance to speak to him. The only other time I ever saw him was when he was sat on his own in one of the large hangar type buildings at Elstree Studios just learning his lines.

My special thanks go to Kenny Baker for taking part in this interview. I would also like to thank Ken Mills for liaising between Kenny and myself during the interview. 

A Message To Fans From Kenny Baker:

Dear Friends,

As many of you will know I was taken ill on a flight from Chicago in March 2008 and was in hospital in the UK for several weeks. Thankfully I pulled through the ordeal but not before my family were called to my bedside as the doctors feared the worse. As a result I have been forced to slow down and regret that I will no longer be able to attend any more conventions outside the UK.

My friends and family have advised me that I should no longer give away my autograph for nothing, as I have been made aware of people selling my signature on Ebay and other websites. So my friends I have decided that something has to be done and this is why I have had my official website revamped. I will continue to sign anything that people want through the mail, but will require a similar fee to that which I charge at conventions per item.

My official website is not equipped to handle online transactions, but you can view and purchase signed photos by clicking here.

Wishing you all the best,

Kenny

Kenny Baker - Official Website:

Kenny Baker's official website has been completely revamped and he can be contact through Ken Mills via an email address on the website.

To visit Kenny Baker's official website, please click here.

Kenny Baker's New Book:

Kenny Baker's new book - From Tiny Acorns - The Kenny Baker Story - will be published very soon. For more information, please click here.

Feature: © Paul Burton 2009

Photo: © Kenny Baker

Please do not reproduce any part of this feature without first contacting Paul Burton to request permission.