Warwick Davis: Size Matters Not Quiz

Answer:

Warwick Davis was born in 1970 in Epsom, Surrey, with a rare genetic bone disorder called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, which results in dwarfism. People with SED suffer from skeletal abnormalities, and sometimes other problems with vision and hearing. His current height is listed as 3 feet 6 inches (107 cm). He has been very candid regarding the health problems he has faced due to SED, including having dislocated hips and painful knees. In a 2015 article in "The Guardian" entitled "Warwick Davis: 'Being angry would be a waste of my life'", he stated that his health problems have become worse as he gets older.

When Davis was eleven years old, his grandmother heard on the radio that there was a production that was looking for people less than 4 feet tall. The production was "Return of the Jedi" (1983), and Davis was lucky enough to nab a role in the movie as a Ewok, a furry creature that looks a bit like a big teddy bear. He was even luckier when the person who had been chosen to play one of the starring Ewoks named Wicket became ill, and, because of the way he carried himself, he was chosen to be the new Wicket. Davis has said that he tried to copy how his dog moved his head in order to give Wicket a bit more personality. He went on to reprise the role in made for television films "Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure" (1984) and "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor" (1985). Later he returned to the "Star Wars" franchise in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999), playing four different characters, including a walking Yoda.

Shortly after breaking into the "Star Wars" universe, Davis was approached by George Lucas, who had written a story about Willow Ufgood and wanted him to play the starring role. "Willow" (1988) starred Davis as the title character and Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, a mercenary soldier. In the movie, Willow's family took in an abandoned baby, who, according to a prophecy, was the Princess of Tir Asleen. Willow, accompanied by Madmartigan, protected the Princess from the evil queen who sought to vanquish her, and together they made sure the Princess returned home safely and took her rightful place. This was the first role where Davis was able to act with his face uncovered by a costume. In 2022 Davis reprised his role as Willow Ufgood in the Disney+ series, "Willow".

In 1993 Davis took the lead role in the movie "Leprechaun", which was supposed to be a horror movie. Because of his interpretation of the role, however, the movie was made as a horror comedy, with viewers saying that it wasn't scary or funny. Due to its commercial success, five sequels followed from 1994-2003, with Davis reprising the role in each.

The "Harry Potter" movies presented more opportunities for Davis to showcase his talents. He played charms instructor Professor Filius Flitwick in all of the eight movies from 2001 to 2011, although his look changed quite a bit between the "Sorcerer's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets", where he appeared to be very old, and from "Prisoner of Azkaban" to the end, where he was much younger in appearance. In the first movie he also played a goblin bank teller at Gringots, and in the last two movies, "Deathly Hallows 1 and 2" he also played the goblin Griphook. The cover picture is from the Great Hall at Hogwarts, where Professor Flitwick was typically seen at the head table.

Davis met his wife, Samantha Burroughs, and her father, Peter, when they were cast as Nelwyn villagers on "Willow". Samantha was born with achondroplasia, an inherited genetic condition which results in dwarfism. Davis and Samantha were married from 1991-2024, when she passed away. Together they had two children, a daughter named Annabelle, and a son, Harrison, who was named for Harrison Ford.

With his father-in-law, Peter, Davis founded Willow Management in 1995. The agency originally specialized in placing actors who were under five feet (1.5 m) tall. Many actors from their agency were cast as goblins in "Deathly Hallows Part 2" (2011). By 2004, however, the agency also began to represent actors who were seven feet (2.1 m) tall, as they also seemed to suffer from the same sort of exclusion in the film industry.

Davis and his wife joined with other sponsors in 2012 to establish Little People UK, a friendship and support group for people with dwarfism. Today it is a registered charity and gives not only social assistance, but also medical and financial help. Money is raised by fundraising and private donations.

A BAFTA Fellowship is a lifetime achievement award that is given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and is its highest honor. Davis was recognized not only because of his long film career, but also for his desire to promote inclusion in the industry and his charity work. He was described as a "talented, much loved and truly inspiring figure" who has made a "remarkable impact on cinema" by BAFTA Chair, Sara Putt.

In the 2026 New Years Honors, a list of honorary appointments by King Charles III, Davis was designated an Officer of the British Empire for the same reasons. He commented, "It's a very dignified honour. It's not like a BAFTA - it's not big and shiny and show-bizzy. It's a quiet recognition of something that I've done in the past, my contribution to drama or entertainment and the charity work I've done." He went on to say that he has enjoyed doing everything he has done, and that was why it did it - NOT in order to get an award.

All of the incorrect clues - in case you didn't notice - are references to the life of Mark Hamill, who also had a pretty iconic role in the "Star Wars" franchise. Davis has said on more than one occasion that during the filming of "Return of the Jedi" (1983) Hamill gifted to him every "Star Wars" action figure that he didn't already have. He has said it is a privilege to call Hamill and his family his friends.