Warwick Davis is a star Harry Potter and star warswill be honored with a BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s Film Awards.
The BAFTA Fellowship honors those who have “made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television” and is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the arts charity. He will receive the award on Sunday, February 16, at this year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards.
Born in Surrey, England, Davis is best known for his roles in the world’s most successful and enduring film series, such as Professor Filius Flitwick in Harry Potter Movies and such as Wicket the Ewok, chosen by George Lucas himself, in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983). He has continued to appear in the franchise regularly, reaching its peak The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Davis was diagnosed with congenital spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia at birth, a rare form of dwarfism. BAFTA is honoring Davis, in part, for the work he has done in creating a more inclusive screen industry. He is the founder of Willow Management, an agency dedicated to representing actors under five feet tall and over seven feet tall.
He is also one of the founders of Little People UK, a charity that provides friendship, financial support and guidance to people with dwarfism, their families and friends. His low-height theater company also supports actors under five feet tall.
Aside from his appearances in the franchise, Davis also starred in director Ron Howard’s fantasy adventure film Willow (1988), as well as a British TV programme Life is too short (2011-2013), co-written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
“The fellowship, for me, embodies the spirit of inclusivity, creativity and collaboration that BAFTA stands for,” Davis said of the news. This honor is not only for the body of work I have contributed, but also for the people who have stood by me and the fans who have made this journey worthwhile.
He continued: “I accept this fellowship in honor of every person with dwarfism or any form of difference, to remind us that our uniqueness can be our greatest asset.” “I also want to pay tribute to the amazing colleagues and friends who work behind the scenes – the costume designers, make-up artists, and camera crews – who quietly and tirelessly put their effort into every production. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful honor. I look forward to continuing to champion the views of “Thank you, BAFTA, for believing in my journey.”
“We are delighted to present Warwick Davis with a BAFTA Fellowship Award; it is our greatest honour,” said Sarah Bott, Chair of BAFTA. “Warwick is a talented, much-loved and truly inspiring figure who has captivated audiences over many decades… He is highly respected by his peers in Britain and the world for his tremendous creativity and passion for the craft of storytelling, we at BAFTA are delighted to celebrate him. An exceptional collection of works and achievements at the EE BAFTA Film Awards next month.
Previous BAFTA Fellows who have been honored for their work in films include Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Lee, Martin Scorsese, Alan Parker and Helen Mirren, And Mike. Lee, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Ridley Scott, Thelma Schoonmaker, Kathleen Kennedy, Ang Lee and Sandy Powell.
