Warwick Davis Biography Quotes 10 Report mistakes

Early Life
Warwick Ashley Davis was born on 3 February 1970 in Epsom, Surrey, England. He was diagnosed at birth with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism, and grew up with the encouragement of a close-knit family. His unlikely path into acting began at age 11 when his grandmother heard a radio announcement seeking people under four feet tall to appear as Ewoks in a new Star Wars film. He went to the audition, and what might have been a small background role swiftly turned into a defining opportunity.

Star Wars Breakthrough
Davis joined the production of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) and, after an unexpected opening in the cast, was chosen to portray Wicket W. Warrick, the curious and brave Ewok who befriends Princess Leia. The experience brought him into direct contact with George Lucas and the creative team at Lucasfilm, and onto set with performers like Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, and Kenny Baker. He returned to the forest moon of Endor for the television films Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984) and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985), cementing his association with the Star Wars universe and introducing him to international audiences as a charismatic and agile screen presence.

Willow and Expanding Career
Lucas later developed an original fantasy project tailored to Davis's talents, and Ron Howard directed Willow (1988), with Davis in the title role alongside Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley. The film made him one of the first actors of short stature to headline a major studio fantasy, and the production proved personally important: he met Samantha Burroughs on set, and the two later married. Willow set a template for Davis's career, combining physical performance with a warm, grounded sincerity.

Through the 1990s and early 2000s, he moved across genres. He led the cult horror-comedy Leprechaun series, demonstrating sharp comic timing and a willingness to embrace outlandish roles. He contributed to family and adventure films and, in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), provided the on-screen performance for Marvin the Paranoid Android, working in tandem with Alan Rickman's voice. In Jack the Giant Slayer (2013), he appeared in another large-scale fantasy production, underscoring his enduring appeal to filmmakers building imaginative worlds.

Harry Potter and Major Franchises
Davis became a familiar face to a new generation through the Harry Potter films. Beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), he portrayed Professor Filius Flitwick, the energetic Charms master, and later also took on the goblin Griphook. He worked across the entire series with directors Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, and David Yates, and alongside the core cast of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. His dual contributions behind prosthetics and makeup showcased his technical discipline and versatility, helping to define the visual and tonal identity of one of cinema's most successful franchises.

Return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Davis continued to be part of Star Wars as the saga evolved. He appeared in multiple later entries, taking on a variety of roles that rewarded careful viewers. In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) he played the feisty rebel Weeteef Cyubee; in the sequel trilogy he made cameo appearances, and in The Rise of Skywalker (2019) he returned to Wicket in a brief but poignant scene. That moment carried a family note: his son Harrison appeared beside him as Wicket's child, a rare on-screen convergence of personal and professional life made possible by J.J. Abrams and the Lucasfilm team.

Television, Comedy, and Presenting
Beyond film, Davis broadened his profile on British television. He collaborated with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on the mockumentary series Life's Too Short (2011, 2013), playing a fictionalized version of himself with a deadpan wit that delighted fans. He joined Karl Pilkington for the special An Idiot Abroad 3: The Short Way Round (2012), in which their odd-couple dynamic and Davis's patience and practicality were central to the humor. He also embraced mainstream presenting, hosting the ITV revival of Celebrity Squares and, from 2016 to 2023, fronting the quiz show Tenable, bringing warmth and quick humor to daytime television. As a guest actor, he appeared memorably in Doctor Who, portraying Porridge, whose modesty masks imperial responsibility, in the 2013 episode Nightmare in Silver.

Entrepreneurship and Advocacy
Determined to widen opportunities for performers of short stature, Davis helped establish the talent agency Willow Management in the mid-1990s with Peter Burroughs, working closely with Samantha Davis as they grew its remit. The agency supported both short and very tall actors, ensuring that productions could find skilled performers while encouraging casting that moved beyond stereotype. With Samantha, he co-founded the charity Little People UK in 2012 to provide practical support, community, and advocacy for individuals with dwarfism and their families. In 2014, he launched the Reduced Height Theatre Company, mounting a touring production of See How They Run with sets scaled for short-stature performers, a pointed statement that accessibility can be fully compatible with professional standards. On stage, he also embraced comic roles, including appearances in the West End production of Spamalot, which further showcased his musicality and comedic instincts.

Authorship and Public Voice
Davis published his memoir, Size Matters Not: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Warwick Davis (2010), offering an unsentimental and often funny account of early breaks, on-set problem solving, and the craft of performing inside elaborate costumes and makeup. He has since been a frequent public speaker, addressing representation, resilience, and the nuts-and-bolts teamwork that underpins fantasy filmmaking. His public voice has emphasized community, gratitude to mentors such as George Lucas and Ron Howard, and a practical optimism that resonates with audiences and industry peers alike.

Personal Life
Warwick Davis married Samantha in 1991, and they built a family intertwined with creative work and advocacy. The couple endured the devastating loss of two infants, Lloyd and George, a grief they later channeled into charity work and peer support. Their daughter Annabelle pursued acting, and their son Harrison shared the screen with his father in The Rise of Skywalker. Samantha became an integral partner in his professional endeavors and, together, they made inclusion a lived practice rather than a slogan. Her death in 2024 was marked by tributes that recognized not only her central role in his life but also her visible impact on the communities they served.

Later Work and Legacy
Davis continued to revisit, reinterpret, and expand his signature roles while seeking new challenges. He reprised Willow Ufgood in a 2022 streaming series continuation developed from the original film, returning to the character with greater emotional depth and a perspective shaped by decades of experience. Across screen and stage, his career has been characterized by collaboration with figures such as George Lucas, Ron Howard, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, J.J. Abrams, Gareth Edwards, and the creative teams behind Harry Potter.

His legacy rests on more than iconic parts. He has modeled a sustainable career for actors of short stature by insisting on craft, range, and leadership off-screen. From the moment an Ewok looked up at a princess in a forest clearing, through the stewardship of agencies and charities with Samantha, to the mentorship he has offered younger performers including his own children, Warwick Davis has demonstrated that representation can be both joyous and practical. He remains a touchstone figure in modern fantasy and science fiction, a consummate ensemble player who also carries stories as a lead, and a steadfast advocate for widening the circle of who gets to be seen and heard on screen.

Our collection contains 10 quotes who is written by Warwick, under the main topics: Art - Aging - Movie.

Other people realated to Warwick: Verne Troyer (Actor)