Warwick Davis has been in some of the most iconic projects in cinematic history. A part of that is due to his size–nailing several small roles for those with dwarfism–but it’s more down to his talent as a character actor.
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Davis’s unique charm and sly presence have earned him countless colorful parts. Most of these are memorable supporting roles, but he’s also proven capable as a personable lead. Whatever the case, he’s left an indelible impact on both film and TV.
7Merlin (TV Series)
This show offers a twist on the Arthurian legend by framing the Once and Future King and the wizard Merlin as boyhood rivals. Through various misadventures, they eventually become friends and brothers in arms. Such a setup obviously paves the way for plenty of compelling development, but it also comes witha thick slice of fantastical cheese straight out of the 1980s and 1990s. Luckily, Davis thrives at such an approach.
The genre actor guest-stars as the cryptic keeper of the bridge. He sports his characteristic mischief, of course, but his performance has notably more gravitas than usual. With that odd mix, he’s more akin to the classical Merlin than the show’s version is. Most of that can be attributed to Davis’s charisma.
6The Leprechaun Movies
Speaking of the ’80s and ’90s, that period spawned many a campy horror icon. Joining the likes of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and theEvil Deaddemons is the sinister Leprechaun. Davis jumps headfirst into this villain.His wicked glee lights up every scene, achieving a brilliant mix of creepy and funny.
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The movies mirror that silliness. Like his horror peers, the Leprechaun spawned several sequels, each scenario getting steadily more ridiculous. Granted, most of these flicks are terrible, but the tongue-in-cheek tone makes them ironically enjoyable. It’s as if the audience is in on the joke.
5The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Davis has actually appeared in multipleNarniaadaptations, having previously worked on theBBCminiseries. However, the best version is the 2008 film.Prince Caspianhas all the confidence of a good sequel. It takes the fantastical elements ofThe Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobeand imbues them with poignant maturity. It boasts a deeper story and characterization all around, building on its predecessor to create a darker, more involving adventure.
Davis’s character, though minor, is emblematic of that. He portrays Nikabrik, a Dwarf who betrays the other Narnians when the going gets tough. Namely, he summonsthe White Witchto dispatch the invading Telmarines. This move demonstrates the desperation inherent in the conflict and raises the stakes by invoking a great villain. More importantly, it leads to pivotal moments for everyone involved.
4Doctor Who
The long-runningDoctor Wholooks like a cheesy time travel show. In many ways, it is. The Doctor and his companionsregularly tackle robots, monsters, and other freakish enemies in all manner of oddball settings. However, that only scratches the surface. The series also offers a valuable perspective on the human condition and its significance to the larger universe.
Few people have as much reach in that universe as Davis’s character. He plays a galactic emperor named Porridge. The gravity of leadership weighs heavily on him as he’s forced into more and more difficult decisions. The episode delivers a potent message about the responsibility of ruling and how it dehumanizes a person, and Davis’s pathos is key to its potency.
3Willow
The originalWillowis everything one could want from a quirky fantasy.The nonsensical terms, flamboyant costumes, and bizarre creaturescould have made it another corny piece of schlock like so many fantasy flicks of this era. Thankfully, these elements work through the skill and devotion of the people involved.
Likewise, Davis takes on the lead role and plays it completely straight. Willow is both a loving father and a youthful adventurer. These two personas would usually be at odds, but the film finds a balance. As a result, Davis lends an emotional anchor to the otherworldly events, makingWillowthe cult classic that it is today.
2The Star Wars Saga
Despite its reputation, theStar Warssaga is a mixed bag.Some entries are exceptional; others are okay; certain ones are just awful. At its best, though, it’s a rousing space adventure filled with poignant emotion and countless colorful characters.
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Davis inhabits several of those characters. He most famously plays Wicket the Ewok inReturn of the Jediand the subsequent Ewok spin-offs. He also voices Rukh–personal assassin of Grand Admiral Thrawn–inStar Wars Rebels. He then has cameos in many more projects, such asThe Phantom Menace,The Force Awakens, andSolo: A Star Wars Story. This vast array of roles is a testament to Davis’s range and how entwined he is with the franchise. At this point, the galaxy far, far away wouldn’t feel the same without him.
1The Harry Potter Movies
The most consistently accomplished series on this list,Harry Pottercaptures the imagination with a wondrous world of witchcraft and wizardry. J.K. Rowling’s books and filmsare filled with creative spells to try, dangerous creatures to encounter, and exotic locales to explore. At the same time, audiences remain engaged with that world through the youthful heroes' compelling and relatable journey to adulthood. Facilitating both of these is a stacked cast.
TheHarry Pottermovies have a wealth of established English stars as teachers and other supporting characters. Davis once again takes on two of these. Most prominent is Professor Flitwick, a Charms teacher and chorus instructor with the occasional dry rejoinder. Later, he steps into Griphook the goblin. It’s a brief part, but one filled with methodical mischief. Both of these are memorable beyond their screen time, much like many aspects of these films.
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