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Jimmy Vee

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Jimmy Vee
Vee at Comic Con, Newcastle in 2016
Born (1959-02-03) 3 February 1959 (age 65)
OccupationActor
Years active2001–present
Height1.12 m (3 ft 8 in)

James Vee (born 3 February 1959) is a Scottish[1] actor, puppeteer and stunt performer. He is best known for playing a number of Doctor Who monsters and aliens including Bannakaffalatta in the 2007 Christmas special Voyage of the Damned, as well as the Graske in the Doctor Who spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures. He is also well known as the actor for R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, replacing the late Kenny Baker, who died in 2016.

Career

Vee started his career as a stunt double/performer for various small actors[2] and extras in films such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Vee also starred as Cheeky the dwarf in the King's Theatre, Glasgow adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.[1]

Vee was original auditioned for R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, although filming clashed with Pan at the time and Vee was not used. In November 2015, he was cast as Artoo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, succeeding Kenny Baker before his death in August 2016.[3][4]

Personal life

He is a dwarf, standing 1.12 metres (3 ft 8 in) tall, the same height as Kenny Baker, who originally played R2-D2.

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Goblin Uncredited
2007 Skins: Secret Party Digger Short film
2009 Kilt Man Midget
2015 Pan Lofty
2017 Dark Ascension Evil Dwarf
Star Wars: The Last Jedi R2-D2
2018 Train Set Randy
Solo: A Star Wars Story Creature and droid puppeteer
2019 Rocketman Arthur

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Weirdsister College Gargoyle Episode: "The Gargoyle"
2005–14 Doctor Who Moxx of Balhoon
Space Pig
Graske (multiple)
Bannakaffalatta
Skovox Blitzer
Episodes: "The End of the World"
"Aliens of London"
"Attack of the Graske"
"Voyage of the Damned"
"Music of the Spheres"
"The Caretaker"
2007–10 The Sarah Jane Adventures Slitheen (multiple)
Krislok the Graske
Groske
Episodes: Revenge of the Slitheen
Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane?
The Lost Boy
The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith
"From Raxacoricofallapatorius with Love"
The Gift
Death of the Doctor
2017 Trust Me Mr. Kennedy Episode #1.3

References

  1. ^ a b Lyons, Beverley (11 December 2015). "Scots actor Jimmy Vee hotly tipped to join Star Wars cast.. but admits he doesn't even know a light saber". Daily Record. Glasgow, Scotland: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Midlands MCM Expo - Sept '08 - Part 6 - Jimmy Vee 1 - YouTube". Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  3. ^ McEwan, Cameron K. (16 November 2016). "Doctor Who actor Jimmy Vee is the new R2-D2 in Star Wars Episode 8". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  4. ^ Lawson, Nicola (13 August 2016). "Kenny Baker, actor behind R2-D2, dies". The Guardian. London, England: The Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2 April 2018.