Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis is an English actor and television presenter who built one of the most remarkable careers in fantasy cinema. Standing 3 feet 6 inches tall due to a rare form of dwarfism, he turned his stature into an asset, playing iconic characters across three of the highest-grossing film franchises in history: Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Willow. As of 2026, he continues to host the ITV game show Tenable and remains active in charity work through Little People UK, an organization he co-founded. Davis is widely respected as a trailblazer for actors of short stature and is known for his warmth, professionalism, and versatility, whether playing a heroic Ewok, a sinister leprechaun, or a bumbling professor. He has appeared in major film franchises and received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2023 for his contributions to film and television. [edit]

Warwick Davis grew up in Epsom, Surrey, the son of Susan and Ashley Davis, an insurance broker. He was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare genetic condition that affects bone growth. At age 11, his grandmother heard a radio announcement seeking short actors for the upcoming Star Wars film. Davis auditioned and was cast as Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi, released in 1983. He attended City of London Freemen's School while beginning his acting career, balancing schoolwork with his early film appearances. He developed an interest in acting from early childhood despite his condition. [edit]

Davis made his screen debut as Wicket the Ewok in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at age 11. In 1988, he landed the title role in Willow, directed by Ron Howard, playing a farmer-turned-sorcerer. He headlined the Leprechaun horror franchise from 1993, starring in eight films over a decade. Starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001, Davis played Professor Filius Flitwick and later the goblin Griphook across all eight Harry Potter films, the only actor to appear in every installment. From 2011 to 2013, he starred as a fictionalized version of himself in the Ricky Gervais sitcom Life's Too Short. In 2018, he became the host of the ITV game show Tenable. He received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2023, the British Academy's highest honor, for his contributions to film and television. He also appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) as Wald and Weazel, and in later Star Wars films including The Force Awakens (2015) as Wollivan, Rogue One (2016) as Weeteef Cyubee, The Last Jedi (2017) as Wicket in a cameo, and Solo (2018) as Weazel. He was appointed MBE in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity. [edit]

Davis is widely regarded as one of the most beloved figures in British entertainment. His public persona is warm, humorous, and down-to-earth, often expressing gratitude for his career and fans. He is seen as a trailblazer for actors of short stature, using his platform to advocate for representation and accessibility. On social media, he posts about family, charity work, and career milestones with a self-deprecating wit. Fans appreciate his versatility, from heroic roles like Willow to villainous turns as the Leprechaun. He has no official fandom name but is celebrated across Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Willow communities. Media consistently highlights his professionalism, versatility, and advocacy work. He has been featured on covers of The Times Magazine, Radio Times, and Empire Magazine. Notable quotes include: "I never set out to be a role model. I just wanted to be an actor." [edit]

Warwick Davis commands a global audience that spans decades of cinematic history, with his profile maintained by sustained visibility across major franchises and a dedicated presence in British media. His standing is precisely quantified within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, where he holds the position of the 7th most famous person in Harry Potter / Wizarding World, a placement he has held steady through multiple cycles. This specific dominance reflects his unique status as one of the few actors to appear in three of the highest-grossing film franchises in history while maintaining a distinct public identity separate from his characters. The scope of his reach encompasses traditional cinema, streaming residuals, and active engagement at international conventions, creating a layered reputation that persists regardless of current release schedules.

Regarding his fanbase, there is no single, universally recognized official name for the collective group of supporters dedicated solely to Warwick Davis. Instead, his audience is fragmented across the larger communities of the franchises he inhabits, primarily the "Potterheads" and the "Wookieepedia," where he is revered as a distinct icon often referred to by his roles such as Professor Flitwick or Wicket. Within these groups, fans view him as a primary advocate and role model, particularly through his work with Little People UK, an organization he co-founded. His interactions are characterized by direct engagement via social media and convention appearances, where he maintains a self-deprecating persona that resonates deeply with audiences who appreciate his longevity and advocacy rather than just his filmography.[edit]

Davis holds the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing supporting actor of all time and has appeared in three of the highest-grossing film franchises: Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Willow. His first film role was Leprechaun alongside Jennifer Aniston in her debut performance, and he later returned to the Star Wars universe by playing Wollivan in The Force Awakens before making a cameo as Wicket in The Last Jedi. He was appointed MBE in 2022 and serves as President of Little People United Kingdom. In August 2026, iFANN Global Fame Rankings placed him as the 7th most famous person in Harry Potter / Wizarding World, holding steady from the previous cycle. A widely retold story from late 2025 involves his emotional reunion with Tom Felton at a Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, where Felton nearly cried upon seeing his former co-star in the audience. Another documented milestone occurred in March 2026 when Davis received the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle and shared an anecdote about speaking with Prince William. While no formal name exists for his fanbase, fans frequently gather at conventions like Star Wars Celebration, where Davis has hosted the podcast stage four times since 2015.[edit]

Davis married Samantha Burroughs in 1991. Samantha, also an actor of short stature, played a role in Willow where the couple met. They had two children: Annabelle Davis, born in 1997, who became an actress known for The Dumping Ground, and Harrison Davis, born in 2003, also an actor. Samantha died on March 24, 2024, at age 53. The cause of death was not publicly specified. As of 2026, Davis lives in England with his children and remains close to his family. He has spoken about the importance of family support throughout his career. [edit]

Warwick Davis has worked with directors Ron Howard (Willow) and George Lucas (Star Wars), and starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in Harry Potter. He collaborated with Ricky Gervais on Life's Too Short. His co-stars include Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley in Willow, and Jennifer Aniston in Leprechaun, her first film role. [edit]

Warwick Davis met Samantha Burroughs on the set of Willow in 1988, where she played a small role. They married in 1991 and had two children, Annabelle and Harrison. Samantha died on March 24, 2024, at age 53. As of 2026, Davis has not publicly entered a new relationship and remains widowed, focusing on his family and career. [edit]

Heading into 2026, Warwick Davis's net worth is estimated at $6.5 Million per iFANN's editorial analysis. His primary income sources include film salaries from the Harry Potter franchise (eight films), Star Wars films, and the Leprechaun series, as well as ongoing residuals from home video and streaming. He earns a steady salary as host of ITV's Tenable. Davis also generates income from public appearances at fan conventions such as Comic-Con and Star Wars Celebration. He co-founded Willow Management, a talent agency representing actors of short stature, and Little People UK, a charity supporting people with dwarfism. His net worth has grown steadily over the decades, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed.[edit]

Warwick Davis received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2023, the British Academy's highest honor, recognizing his outstanding contribution to film and television. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity. He holds a Guinness World Record as the highest-grossing supporting actor of all time. [edit]