Warwick Davis

The most successful little person actor in the history of film, Warwick Davis enjoyed an amazing career in the fantasy genre. The 11-year-old's featured role in "Return of the Jedi" (1983) as Wicket the Ewok led not only to him reprising the character for several children's TV movies, but also work in "Labyrinth" (1986) and a starring role without extensive make-up or costumes in "Willow" (1988). Associations with two very different but successful franchises would ensure Davis's income and status as a working actor: the titular gleefully evil "Leprechaun" (1993) and all its straight-to-video sequels, as well as Hogwarts professor Filius Flitwick in every big-budget installment of the "Harry Potter" series. Proving he had considerable comedic chops on the Ricky Gervais hit series "Extras" (BBC Two, 2005-07) led the esteemed comedian to write the BBC comedy pilot "Life's Too Short" for Davis in 2010, the same year the actor published his autobiography. Although he achieved most of his success in fantasy and genre projects, Davis managed to maintain his dignity as well as bringing enormous enthusiasm and likeability to every character he embodied.