For generations of movie fans, few performers have left a mark quite like Warwick Davis. From iconic fantasy adventures to beloved science fiction franchises, his career has spanned decades and inspired audiences all over the world. Now, that remarkable journey has been officially recognized with one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious honors.
Davis has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, widely known as an OBE, for his services to drama and charity. The honor was presented by William, Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. It is a moment that celebrates not just a career in entertainment, but also a lifetime of advocacy and support for performers who have historically had fewer opportunities in the industry.
A Star Wars Beginning
Davis’s journey into movie history began in unforgettable fashion. At just eleven years old, he landed a role in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Hidden beneath layers of costume and makeup, Davis brought to life the curious and courageous Ewok known as Wicket W. Warrick.
The character quickly became a fan favorite, especially during the memorable scenes where Wicket befriends Princess Leia in the forests of Endor. For Davis, it was the beginning of a lifelong connection to the Star Wars universe.
While working on the film, Davis also participated in a playful behind the scenes project created with first assistant director David Tomblin. The mockumentary humorously explored his “decision” to become an actor and the fictional story of transforming into an Ewok. Though it was never officially released, the short film remains a fun piece of Star Wars production lore.
Expanding the Ewok Story
Davis returned to the role of Wicket in the made for television adventures Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, helping expand the Ewok story beyond the original trilogy.
His relationship with Star Wars continued into the prequel era as well. In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Davis appeared in several roles including Wald, the young Rodian friend of Anakin Skywalker. He also portrayed Weazel, one of the gamblers watching the Boonta Eve podrace on Tatooine.
Behind the scenes, Davis even helped bring another iconic character to life by serving as a body double for Yoda during certain walking scenes while Frank Oz continued to provide the legendary voice.
Decades later, Davis was still contributing to the galaxy far, far away with multiple roles in Solo: A Star Wars Story, once again showcasing his ability to transform into a wide variety of characters beneath elaborate costumes and prosthetics.
Championing Opportunity in the Industry
Davis’s influence extends well beyond acting. In 1995, he co founded Willow Management, a talent agency dedicated to representing actors under five feet tall. The agency later expanded in 2004 to include performers over seven feet tall as well.
This effort has helped open doors for performers who might otherwise struggle to find representation in the industry. Many of the agency’s clients have appeared in major productions, including several performers who helped populate the diverse alien worlds of Star Wars.
Among them are talents such as Kenny Baker, Mike Edmonds, Michaela Cottrell, Peter Burroughs, and Kiran Shah. Together, these performers have helped bring some of the most memorable creatures and characters in cinematic history to life.
A Career Worth Celebrating
Born on February 3, 1970 in Epsom, United Kingdom, Davis entered the world with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita, a condition that results in dwarfism. Rather than letting that limit his ambitions, Davis built an extraordinary career that spans generations of fans and multiple eras of filmmaking.
From the forests of Endor to modern Star Wars adventures and countless other projects, Davis has become one of the most recognizable performers in fantasy and science fiction entertainment.
Receiving the OBE is a fitting tribute to a career defined not just by memorable performances, but also by dedication to inclusion, representation, and giving others a chance to shine.
For fans who grew up watching Wicket’s curious eyes peek out from that Ewok hood, this honor feels especially meaningful. It celebrates a performer whose talent, perseverance, and generosity have helped shape the worlds of film and television for more than four decades.