Warwick Davis Gets Emotional Onstage as He Speaks of Late Wife Samantha, Moving Their Daughter to Tears

Mar. 15, 2025

Warwick Davis and his daughter Annabelle at the 2025 BAFTA Awards in London on Feb. 16, 2025.Photo:Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty;BAFTA/Youtube

Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty;BAFTA/Youtube

Warwick Davisremembered the support of his late wife,Samantha “Sammy” Davis, as he accepted a prestigious honor at the 2025BAFTA Awards.

Taking the stage during the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Davis first joked that receiving the honor “is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ve been inStar Wars.”

After thanking his mother, agent and more, he dedicated the award to and thanked his “wonderful wife Sammy, who died almost a year ago.”

“She was always so supportive of my career, and encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands,” Davis continued, joking, “However, I soon noticed that her level of enthusiasm for me taking a particular role was often relative to how much she wanted that new designer handbag.”

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After laughter from the audience members — including his and Sammy’s daughter, Annabelle, and son, Harrison — Davis went on to say, “Since then, life has been pretty tough for me.”

“But thanks to the support of our wonderful children, Annabelle and Harrison, I’ve been able to continue working and engaging in life,” the actor said, as the camera panned back to the pair in the audience, showingAnnabelle with tears in her eyes.

“Special mention, too, should go to Sponge. You know who you are,” he continued, adding through tears of his own, “Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning, and for helping me to laugh and to love again.”

Davis is a British character actorknown for his starring rolesin theHarry Potterfilm franchise as Professor Filius Flitwick and the goblin Griphook. He also played several characters across theStar Warscinematic universe, and the title role of 1988’sWillowand its 2022sequel series.

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Warwick Davis (second from right) with wife Samantha, daughter Annabelle and son Harrison on Nov. 28, 2022.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

In 1995, Davis and Samantha foundedWillow Management, a talent company that represents short actors. In 2012 they co-launchedLittle People UK, a resource for the dwarfism community.

Samantha died on March 24, 2024, at age 53. Davis told theBBCthe following month, “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs.”

In their own statement to the BBC, Annabelle and Harrison said Samantha’s “love and happiness carried us through our whole lives.”

“Mum is our best friend and we’re honoured to have received a love like hers,” the siblings added.

In December 2022, Davis also opened up to PEOPLE about the heartbreakingloss of their firstbornnine days after birth due to complications from the dwarfism genes inherited from both his parents.

“I think it brings you closer together,” he said at the time, crediting Samantha as being their source of strength. “But it’s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”

“Eventually, over time, you’re able to better understand why it happened and can come to terms with it a bit more. But you never get over it,” Davis continued. “I think the losses shaped our family dynamic. We love Annabelle and Harrison all that more because they’re here with us.”

source: people.com