Veteran actor Warwick Davis received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship on Sunday night, marking a milestone in a career that began at just 11 years old with Return of the Jedi. Already a Star Wars fan at the time, Davis’ journey has since spanned decades, with iconic roles in Harry Potter, Leprechaun, and Willow.
The BAFTA Fellowship is the British Academy’s highest honor, awarded to individuals who have made an "outstanding and exceptional contribution" to film, television, or gaming. Davis was presented the award by his Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton, celebrating his lasting impact on the industry.
During his heartfelt acceptance speech, Davis mixed humor with emotion as he paid tribute to his late wife, Samantha Davis, who passed away last year. “Above all, I’d like to dedicate this to my wonderful wife, Sammy,” he said. “She was always supportive of my career… however, I noticed her enthusiasm often depended on how much she wanted that new designer handbag.”
Davis also acknowledged his children, Annabelle and Harrison, for helping him through difficult times, and ended with an encouraging message to aspiring storytellers. “The world needs your vision. And if you need an actor to bring that vision to life, remember the little fella with the BAFTA!”
Though Davis continues to work in the industry, recent years have seen him take on more voice roles. He last reprised his role as Wicket in The Rise of Skywalker and starred in Disney+’s Willow series in 2022.
Comments