- Harry Potter star will receive BAFTA Fellowship
- He accepts award in honor of everyone living with dwarfism
- Previous recipients of award include Spielberg and Scorcese
British actor and TV presenter Warwick Davis, who is 54, is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to film and television and is set to receive this year’s BAFTA fellowship. It is the highest accolade given each year at the awards ceremony.
Davis – who was born with a rare form of dwarfism called Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita – is best known to audiences as Hogwarts teacher Professor Filius Flitwick from the Harry Potter films, which he appeared in between 2001 and 2011.
What are Warwick’s most notable roles?
His career began when he was just 1 1 years old, gracing our screens as the iconic Wicket the Ewok in 1983’s Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. He continues to appear in the Star Wars franchise, most recently in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
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His list of credits also include Ron Howard’s fantasy adventure film Willow, in 1988, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy where he played the physical role of Marvin the Paranoid Android.
On TV, he appeared in Ricky Gervais’ Extras and also later co-created mockumentary series Life’s Too Short with Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Davis was praised for his self-deprecating humour in the show, which attracted guest appearances from Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, and Helena Bonham Carter.
BAFTA Chair Sara Putt said: “Warwick is a talented, much loved and truly inspiring figure who has captivated audiences over many decades. From his iconic performances to his advocacy for greater inclusion and representation on and off-screen, Warwick has had a remarkable impact on cinema and been profoundly influential in fostering a more inclusive and caring society.”
Advocating screen inclusivity
Away from his own acting, Davis is passionate about supporting people living with dwarfism. He founded Willow Management, an agency dedicated to representing actors under 5ft or over 7ft tall – the world’s largest agency of its kind.
He also co-founded the charity Little People UK with his late wife, Samantha, who died last year aged 53. Little People UK, a charity that offers friendship, financial support and guidance to people with dwarfism.
“I accept this Fellowship in honor of everyone living with dwarfism or any form of difference, reminding us that our uniqueness can be our greatest asset.” said Davis.
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He continued: “I also want to acknowledge the wonderful colleagues and friends who’ve worked behind the scenes – costumers, makeup artists, camera crews – who quietly and tirelessly pour their hearts into every production. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this incredible honor. I look forward to continuing to champion fresh perspectives, advocate for better representation, and inspire the next generation of storytellers to dream big. Thank you, BAFTA, for believing in my journey.”
Davis will be joining an impressive list of BAFTA Fellows who have been honoured for their work, including Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Judi Dench, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick and Anthony Hopkins.
He will be presented with the award at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday 16 February.
