Warwick Davis: Harry Potter actor to receive Bafta Fellowship
2025-01-11
Category: entertainment

Actor and TV presenter Warwick Davis will receive this year's Bafta Fellowship, the British Academy's highest honour. The Surrey-born actor is known for appearing in the Harry Potter and Star Wars film series and has presented the ITV game show Tenable since 2016.In a statement, Davis described the Fellowship as an "incredible honour" and thanked Bafta "for believing in my journey"."I accept this Fellowship in honour of everyone living with dwarfism or any form of difference, reminding us that our uniqueness can be our greatest asset," he said.
Davis, 54, has spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism.Throughout his career, he has advocated for a more inclusive screen industry and is the founder of Willow Management, an agency dedicated representing actors under 5ft or over 7ft tall.Davis said: "The Fellowship, to me, embodies the spirit of inclusivity, creativity, and collaboration that Bafta stands for. "This recognition is not just about the body of work I've contributed but also about the people who've stood by me and the audiences who have made this journey worthwhile."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."I look forward to continuing to champion fresh perspectives, advocate for better representation, and inspire the next generation of storytellers to dream big."The Fellowship recognises industry figures who have made an outstanding contribution to film, television or games. Previous recipients include Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Scorsese, Sidney Poitier and Dame Helen Mirren.
Davis began his career aged 11 as Wicket the Ewok in 1983's Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.He continued to appear in the franchise over subsequent decades, most recently in 2019's The Rise of Skywalker.His other film credits include Willow, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the horror-comedy Leprechaun film franchise.Davis is perhaps most familiar to audiences for his role as Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter series of films, which he appeared in between 2001 and 2011.He appeared in BBC TV series Life's Too Short, which he created with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Bafta chair Sara Putt described Davis as a "talented, much loved and truly inspiring figure who has captivated audiences over many decades".Last year, Davis's wife Samantha, the co-founder of dwarfism charity Little People UK, died aged 53. Davis described her as his "favourite human" and said "her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family". An inquest into her death was due to open this week but was adjourned until a later date.The nominations for the Bafta Film Awards will be announced on Wednesday 15 January, with Conclave, Emilia Pérez, Anora and The Brutalist expected to make the shortlists.