Warwick Davis Biography

They say big things come in small packages and that could not be truer than with Warwick Davis. Born in Epsom, Surrey, England to Susan J. and Ashley Davis.
Warwick was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare bone growth disorder that results in dwarfism.

When he was 11, his grandmother heard a radio ad about Borehamwood Jobcentre calling for people who were four feet tall or shorter to be in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983). An ardent Star Wars fan, Warwick jumped at the opportunity to play Wicket the Ewok.

He reprised his role as Wicket in the made-for-TV spinoffs, The Ewok Adventure in 1984 and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor in 1985. A few years later, Warwick was received a call to meet with Ron Howard and George Lucas to star in the film Willow (1988). This was the first film where Warwick’s face could be seen on screen. The film, which also starred Val Kilmer, was premiered before the Prince and Princess of Wales of England.

In 1989, he moved to television when he appeared on the BBC series of The Chronicles of Narnia adaptations, Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, playing Reepicheep; and The Silver Chair, playing Glimfeather and Reepicheep.

In 1993, he appeared in the movie Leprechaun with Jennifer Aniston. He also played the character in the five sequels that followed.

In 2001, Warwick appeared as Professor Flitwick, as well as other background characters, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. He would appear as Flitwick in every film in the Harry Potter franchise.

Since Disney acquired the rights to LucasFilm, Warwick has appeared in every Star Wars movie, starting from Star Wars: The Force Awakens up to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. He also has provided his voice to the Star Wars animated series Star Wars: Rebels, where he played the role of Rukh for six episodes from 2017 to 2018.

In 2022, he reprised his role of Willow on the Disney+ series titled the same name, Willow. The show aired for eight episodes but was canceled after its first season.

In 2025, Warwick was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts that recognizes "outstanding achievement in the art forms of the moving image." It is the highest honor the academy can bestow, and his been awarded annually since 1971.

He is an advocate for little people and is the co-founder of Little People UK, a charity that provides support to people with dwarfism and their families.

Warwick was married to Samantha Davis in 1991, whom he met while filming Willow. They have two surviving children — their first born died in infancy. Samantha died in March 2024.

Filmography:

From Leicester to Hollywood (2023)
Willow (2022)
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
Get Santa (2014)
Saint Bernard (2013)
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
The Unbroken (2012)
Chingari (2012)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Agent One-Half (2008)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
Monsters of the Id (2007)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Small Town Folk (2007)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Ray (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Skinned Deep (2004)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Capone’s Boys (2002)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
The White Pony (1999)
The New Adventures of Pinocchio (1999)
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
A Very Unlucky Leprechaun (1998)
Prince Valiant (1997)
Leprechaun 2 (1994)
Leprechaun (1993)
The Princess and the Dwarf (1989)
Willow (1988)
Labyrinth (1986)
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)