'Star Wars' R2-D2 Builder Tony Dyson Dies at 68

Police said it appears to be of natural causes.

ByABC News
March 4, 2016, 11:57 AM

— -- Tony Dyson, the inventor who built the beloved "Star Wars" character R2-D2, has died. He was 68 years old.

Dyson was found in his home in Malta after a neighbor called police because his front door was open, local authorities on the island the central Mediterranean told ABC News today.

Police said they do not suspect foul play and that an autopsy is set for Saturday morning.

Dyson made the original R2-D2 robots for "A New Hope" after designer Ralph McQuarrie crated the look of the character.

But it wasn't just "Star Wars" that Dyson had an impact on. According to the BBC, Dyson also worked on hits like "Superman 2" and "Dragon Slayer." He also worked on the James Bond film, "Moonraker."