I love working.”Davis, who was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare bone disorder that results in dwarfism, said he hopes his award is also for his work as an actor as well as his activism.“If I can have a sneaky bit of this Bafta for my performance work as well my advocacy, I’d be delighted,” he said.Before becoming one of Britain’s most in-demand actors, Davis got his first break playing a teddy bear-like creature, an Ewok in 1983’s Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi at the age of just 11.
He received Bafta’s highest honour on Sunday in Royal Festival Hall, London for his performing and advocacy work.On accepting his award Davis said: “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ve been in Star Wars.” He added that “life has been pretty tough” since losing his wife Samantha aged 53 last March.
Thanks to the support of our wonderful children I’ve been able to continue working and engaging in life.”Davis then broke down in tears, while thanking British actor Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series for “helping him to laugh and love again”.“To anyone out there dreaming of telling their story or creating something meaningful, go for it, the world needs your vision,” he added.
A film was shown of his collaborators including Star Wars stars Mark Hamill and George Lucas, and Willow director Ron Howard, along with his two children.“He’s one of the hardest working men in showbiz,” Hamill said.Speaking to journalists afterwards in the Winners Room, Davis hinted that he would not rule out starring in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, paid tribute to the actor, recalling that he played professor Filius Flitwick, and helped him pronounce the spell Wingardium Leviosa.He added that he made “making it feel like fun, not work”, and inspired him, saying “in a world where you can be anything, be yourself”.
