Kenny Baker, the actor best known for his portrayal of R2D2 in the Star Wars films, died on August 13, 2016, after a long illness. He was born on August 24, 1934.

Born in Birmingham, England, Baker left school at 16 to join the performance troupe Burton Lester’s Midgets and was introduced to the Texan producer and impresario Lester, who gave him a part in the touring production. After touring for a number of years, he decided to audition for a role in Star Wars, and was hired by George Lucas.

Besides his role as R2 in the Star Wars films, he performed in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man (1980), Miloš Forman’s Amadeus (1984) and Neil Jordan’s thriller Mona Lisa (1986), though it was the fantasy genre that provided his main source of employment: he can be glimpsed, partially obscured by heavy makeup or outlandish costumes, in Flash Gordon (1980), Labyrinth (1986) and Willow (1988). Sometimes he would even appear with his face uncovered, as he did in Terry Gilliam’s jolly fantasy Time Bandits (1981). He was warm and winning in that film as Fidgit, one of a band of dwarves who use their knowledge of the holes in the fabric of the universe to steal from the likes of Napoleon and Robin Hood.

His wife Eileen predeceased him in 1993. He is survived by their two sons, Christopher and Kevin. 

The Eleventh Annual Rhode Island Fan and Futurism Convention
Show Dates: Thursday, August 25th, through Sunday, August 28th, 2016
The Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Ave.
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 Warwick, RI: Now in its eleventh year, the festival is an annual event that plays host to a variety of
entertainment in an uncommonly luxurious setting, and the event will take place now on sunny August 25th through the 28th, taking advantage of the entire outdoor grounds of the Crowne Plaza property, including the 10,000 square foot Garden Pavilion. Distinctly different from other types of commercial fan expos, TempleCon
is an unparalleled feast for the senses and the imagination for anyone on the cutting edge of modern entertainment.

TempleCon is home to a weekend-long series of live shows, amazing performers, incredible DJs, and more!
Experience an after hours nightlife landscape filled with intoxicating sights and sounds, amazing parties, and
truly out of this world costumes and characters.

The nightlife kicks off Thursday with the opening ceremonies,
followed by the Futuristic Electro Violinist Mei Ohara, and finishes the evening with a midnight showing of
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with live shadowcasting by Rhode Island’s own RKO Army.

Friday the entertainment starts early with Tomorrowland by the Boston Sprockettes; visit displays and
interactive exhibits, enjoy street performances and live demonstrations of the things that will take us into the
future. The Cosplay Court Case and The Red Fork Empire’s Lip Sync Battle are fully audience driven events.
This all leads up to the evening’s main event, Cataclysm: Featuring performances by Ameena, Circus
Dynamics, Complete Destruction, Elizabeth Joy, Giselle Mencio, Madame Ximon, Neylan, Samara, and more,
with Bettysioux Taylor as MC! Then stay for The Rain Within, whose music builds a bridge between the New
Wave sound of the 80s and today's audience.

One of the longest running events at TempleCon happens on Saturday afternoon, the NeoVictorian
High Tea, a limited seating event that always sells out. The entertainment turns musical in the evening with Crunk Witch,
the 8bit electropop duo of Brandon Miles and Hannah Colleen from Presque Isle, Maine. Then Mega Ran, aka
Raheem Jarbo, of Philadelphia, who is arguably the world's most well known videogame
influenced performance artist. The former teacher's highenergy shows and fun, nerdy persona have led to world tours,
and a legion of smart art fans he calls "TeamMega."

Sunday brings in the Author’s Salon, with bestselling authors John Sundman and Leanna Renee Hieber, who
will be reading excerpts from their latest books. The RKO Army returns to the stage in the afternoon to
shadowcast a selection of works from “The Wedonverse.” Finally, closing ceremonies wrap up the whole
event as we bid farewell to our guests and to another great year.
For more the full entertainment schedule, and to register for the 2016 event, visit www.templecon.org .