Kenny Baker dead: Star Wars' Mark Hamill pays tribute to R2-D2 actor

Mark Hamill and Kenny Baker have been comrades in arms in the Star Wars franchise since A New Hope hit the big screen in May 1977, and while the R2-D2 actor appeared in all six of the original films, he was a droid consultant on The Force Awakens. As the world morns the death of Baker, who died this weekend after a long illness, Hamill has paid tribute to his costar on Twitter.

“Goodbye #KennyBaker,” he wrote along with photos of them together. “A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!” The actor also retweed photos posted to social media of Baker from Time Bandits and with Star Wars castmate Carrie Fisher.

Elsewhere, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story screenwriter Gary Whitta and Simon Pegg, who appeared briefly in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, are among others in Hollywood paying homage to the late actor. “When I was a kid nothing inspired me more than Star Wars and Time Bandits,” Whitta tweeted. “Kenny Baker was a big part of both. Alas.”

Baker died Saturday at the age of 81.