Warwick Davis and his wife had to endure two tragedies, and just when they thought they were in the clear, she came down with a mysterious sickness that had him telling his kids to say their farewells.
Warwick Davis is an English actor born in Epsom, Surrey, England, to Ashley and Susan. His dwarfism was caused by a medical condition known as congenital spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia.
At 11, he landed a role as an Ewok in “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of The Jedi” after his grandmother heard on the radio that people under four feet were needed. He had been a big fan of the franchise, so he was only too happy to do the audition, after which he got cast as the Ewok extra.
Warwick Davis attends the red carpet premiere of new animated children’s series “Moley” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on September 25, 2021 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The role of the lead Ewok, Wicket, was initially meant to be played by Kenny Baker, but he fell sick, so Warwick was chosen to take his place. Like many films in the franchise, it was a huge success, and Warwick had the opportunity to retain his role in further TV projects, including “The Ewok Adventure” and “Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.”
In 1988, he scored another significant role in “Willow,” and from then on, he kept getting good parts in different projects, including “Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” “Harry Potter,” and “Leprechaun.”
His most significant role to date was as Griphook and Professor Filius Flitwick in the “Harry Potter” film franchise which remains unforgettable even as the years pass.
Warwick Davis (R) and Samantha Davis attend the Pride of Britain awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on September 28, 2015 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Outside acting, he also co-directs an acting agency with his father-in-law, Peter Burroughs. The enterprise is dedicated to managing extremely tall and short actors, and it is called Willow Management.
Warwick is married to actress Samantha Davis, and they are parents to a son and a daughter who are also actors. Samantha is famously known for her work on “Through the Dragon’s Eye,” “Short Fellas,” and “Honky Sausages.”
Like her husband, her dwarfism was also brought on by a medical condition. However, her bone growth disorder is known as achondroplasia.
THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH DARK TIMES
Warwick Davies attends the “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on December 18, 2019 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Warwick and his wife met as teenagers on the set of his film, “Willow.” He was 17 and was starring opposite Val Kilmer, while Samantha, who was 16 at the time, participated as an extra.
It was a close call, and if her medical team had not acted fast enough, it was reported that she would have lost some of her limbs, fingers, or toes.
The pair fell in love on set and started a relationship that lasted four years before they took things further by getting married in 1991. It was a match made in heaven, and Warwick has been known to refer to his wife as his soulmate.
Actor Warrick Davis poses with wife Samantha Davis (L) as he joins the West End Cast of “Spamalot” during the “Spamalot” Press Night at the Playhouse Theatre on September 24, 2013 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
As earlier stated, the couple has different forms of dwarfism, with his being the rarest while hers is the most common. A combination of their conditions has been reported as what caused the demise of the first two children.
The first child was named Lloyd. He was born in 1991 with both his parents’ conditions, and his lungs were so small that they could not function properly. He lasted nine days before he passed away.
They also endured the death of another male child named George when Samantha was 19 weeks into her pregnancy, making him a stillborn. She had two miscarriages before they welcomed Annabelle and Harrison, both of whom survived.
Harrison Davis, Samantha Davis, Warwick Davis, Annabelle Davis attend ”Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on December 18, 2019 in London. | Source: Getty Images
The tragedies would have been enough to affect any marriage negatively. Still, the reverse was the case with Warwick and his wife, as the situation only drew them closer to one another. However, it was not the end of their worries.
In 2018, the actor’s wife fell ill with sepsis, meningitis, and strep B infections, all of which she got after a spinal operation she had to undergo. In 2018, Samantha revealed that she believed she would pass away from them.
The thought made her cry for four days, but by the fourth day, she accepted what she thought was her fate. On his part, Warwick tried to avoid thinking about her death, but he had to admit that she looked like she would not last much longer.
HE URGED THEIR KIDS TO SAY GOODBYE
In 2019, Samantha’s health rapidly declined while they prepared for a family caravan holiday. Initially, she chalked it up to over-exertion from preparing for their trip, but Warwick sent for a doctor as she got weaker.
According to him, she had become exhausted and weak and had not used the toilet for more than a day. The doctor quickly recognized what was happening and urged them to take her to A&E, immediately claiming it was sepsis.
The infection affects the body’s immune system causing it to attack its tissues and organs, which can be fatal or lead to amputations. At the hospital, the doctors found a scar on Samantha’s back from a recent spinal procedure, and they got concerned because it was filled with fluid.
When they tested a sample, they found it contained lethal Streptococcus bacteria and meningitis, so they informed Warwick and the rest of their family that they would lose her if nothing was done immediately. Warwick said:
“Our family gathered by her bedside; although optimistic, we were sort of saying goodbye in case Sam didn’t survive.”
The surgery was successful, but doctors told Warwick that she would have to be strictly monitored in intensive care while she received a ton of powerful antibiotics. The infection had affected every single cell in her body, depleting her vital vitamin and mineral levels.
It was a close call, and if her medical team had not acted fast enough, it was reported that she would have lost some of her limbs, fingers, or toes.
After she was discharged, Warwick remained by her side for three months, mixing antibiotics, filling syringes with them, and gently feeding them into his wife’s heart through a drip.
Thanks to his dedication, Samantha was able to make a full recovery, and ever since, their family has dedicated itself to spreading awareness of the dreaded illness known as sepsis.