Baker's other films include 1980's The Elephant Man, 1981's Time Bandits, and the 1986 Jim Henson film Labyrinth. In the late 1990s, Baker launched a stand-up comedy career. Kenny is a first-class mouth-organ player and rates his guest appearance with the James Coutts Scottish Dance Band at Hugh McCaig's Silverstone Party in July 1997 as probably his "finest musical experience."
Baker's lesser known role as Paploo the Ewok
Kenny Baker, at 3 feet, 8 inches (112 cm) tall, was a circus and cabaret performer with entertainer Jack Purvis when George Lucas hired him to be the man inside R2-D2 in Star Wars in 1977. Baker appears in the first six theatrical Star Wars films, although stock footage was used for much of R2-D2's role in Revenge of the Sith. Baker played an additional role in 1983's Return of the Jedi as Paploo, the Ewok who stole an Imperial speeder bike. He was originally going to play Wicket W. Warrick, but he fell ill, and that role was handed over to eleven-year-old Warwick Davis.
In Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, Baker was credited as "R2 Consultant." R2-D2 in the movie was represented by actor Jimmy Vee.
Baker was hospitalized on April 9, 2008 because of a "mystery illness," and on August 13, 2016, passed away at the age of 81, 11 days before his 82 birthday.