Warwick Davis, star of Harry Potter and Star Wars, will be honored with the BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s film awards.
The BAFTA Fellowship recognizes those who have “made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television” and is the arts charity’s most prestigious honor. He will collect the prize on Sunday, Feb. 16 at this year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards.
Born in Surrey, England, Davis is celebrated for his roles in the world’s most successful and enduring film franchises such as Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter films and as Wicket the Ewok, selected by George Lucas himself, in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983). He went on to feature in the franchise regularly, culminating in The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Davis was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita at birth, a rare form of dwarfism. BAFTA are honoring Davis for, in part, the work he has done creating a more inclusive screen industry. He is the founder of Willow Management, an agency dedicated to representing actors under five feet and over seven feet tall. It is the largest agency of its kind in the world.
He is also co-founder of Little People U.K., a charity that offers friendship, financial support and guidance to people with dwarfism, their families and friends. His Reduced Height Theatre Company also supports actors under five foot tall.
Aside from his franchise appearances, Davis has starred in Ron Howard’s fantasy adventure film Willow (1988), as well as British TV show Life’s Too Short (2011-2013), co-created with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
Davis said of the news: “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.”
“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,” 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.”
“We are delighted to present Warwick Davis the BAFTA Fellowship award; our highest honour,” said BAFTA Chair Sara Putt. “Warwick is a talented, much loved and truly inspiring figure who has captivated audiences over many decades… Hugely respected by his peers both in Britain and globally for his immense creativity and passion for the craft of storytelling, we at BAFTA are thrilled to celebrate his exceptional body of work and achievements at the EE BAFTA Film Awards next month.”
BAFTA Fellows previously honored for their work in film 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, Helen Mirren, Mike Leigh, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Ridley Scott, Thelma Schoonmaker, Kathleen Kennedy, Ang Lee and Sandy Powell.
