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Tony Dyson, R2-D2 Builder, Dies At 68
Dyson, who created the iconic Star Wars droid, passed away at his home in Malta
Tony Dyson, the robotics technician who built iconic droid R2-D2 for Star Wars, has died. He was 68.
According to TMZ, police in Malta, the small Mediterranean island nation where Dyson had lived since the 1990s, found Dyson's body in his home after they were alerted by his girlfriend, who couldn't reach him. No foul play is suspected.
Dyson built the original radio-controlled R2-D2 from a design by Ralph McQuarrie and John Stears in his studio The White Horse Toy Company.
He also did special effects for Superman 2 and Moonraker, among other films and television shows.
In his life, he encouraged others to follow their creativity. "Be playful. Never stop playing. If you look at life the way it really should be - enjoyed - then you become very creative," he told the Times of Malta last December.
Our condolences to Dyson's friends and family.