ACTOR · BORN 1944
John Rhys-Davies
- Born
- 5 May 1944, Ammanford, Wales, UK
- Known for
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)
29 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
John Rhys-Davies (born 5 May 1944) is an actor best known for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
John Rhys-Davies over the years
29 Interesting Facts About John Rhys-Davies
Interesting Facts (7)
- #001
John Rhys-Davies played Malone in the 1993 TV series The Untouchables; Sean Connery had played the character in the film adaptation The Untouchables (1987). Both actors also played King Richard the Lionheart of England in different versions of the Robin Hood stories: Rhys-Davies in Robin of Sherwood (1984) and Connery in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). The two also appeared together in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), strengthening the connection between them.
- #002
In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), John Rhys-Davies sings a few lines from Gilbert & Sullivan's song 'HMS Pinafore'; Patrick Stewart later performed the same song in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). The two actors appeared together in the TV series I, Claudius (1976) and also worked in the Star Trek and Dune universes: Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) and Dune (1984), and Rhys-Davies in Star Trek: Voyager (1995) and Dune 2000 (1998). These connections show the intersections in the careers of the two veteran actors.
- #003
In the 2023 video game The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, John Rhys-Davies reprised the role of Gimli and voiced the game's opening scene. This shows his commitment to the Lord of the Rings universe and his desire to sustain fans' relationship with the character. While the game offers a new adventure set in the depths of Middle-earth, Rhys-Davies's voice adds a familiar warmth for players.
- #004
In 2004, John Rhys-Davies unwittingly became the victim of an internet prank that led fake rumours to spread in the mainstream media that he would play General Grievous in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). The incident shows how quickly misinformation can spread in the internet age. Rhys-Davies's reaction to the situation is unknown, but such rumours can also be read as an indicator of his popularity.
- #005
In 2016, John Rhys-Davies voiced spoken-word passages for Voices of Fire, the sixth album by the a cappella power metal band van Canto. The collaboration shows his connection to the music world and his openness to different art forms. For metal fans, the album offered a chance to hear Rhys-Davies's deep, impressive voice in a different context.
- #006
John Rhys-Davies's voice was recorded for some of the calls in the 1993 Williams SuperPin pinball game Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure. This allowed him to continue his connection to the Indiana Jones series in an entertaining way. The game let fans hear Rhys-Davies's iconic voice in a different setting.
- #007
John Rhys-Davies was born on exactly the same date as Roger Rees, an actor known for productions such as 'Cheers' and 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights.' The coincidence offers an interesting starting point for comparing the two actors' careers. Both had successful careers in stage and screen acting.
Behind the Scenes (9)
- #008
While playing Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), John Rhys-Davies was taller than his co-stars Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom and Ian McKellen, but this physical contradiction was cleverly concealed through the film's visual effects and camera angles. The actor's height was perfectly proportioned to the actors playing the hobbits, so no stunt doubles were needed for scenes between Gimli and the hobbits. This contributed to the naturalness of Rhys-Davies's performance and created a convincing height difference on screen despite the character being a dwarf.
- #009
Gimli's makeup in The Lord of the Rings trilogy was an arduous process that took up to five hours each time. However, it soon became clear that Rhys-Davies was allergic to the prosthetics, so he could only be made up once every three days. In the first week the prosthetics irritated and burned the skin under his eyes. After filming ended he was told he could do whatever he wanted with the prosthetic he had been given; one of the makeup artists claimed that Rhys-Davies threw it into a nearby fire and that he had never seen him move so fast. The incident shows that the actor kept his sense of humour despite the difficulties he faced on set.
- #010
The actors who played the members of the Fellowship of the Ring got matching tattoos reading 'nine' in Tengwar script to commemorate the experiences they shared during filming. John Rhys-Davies, however, did not join the tradition and instead sent his stunt double Brett Beattie. Beattie had actually spent more time on screen as Gimli than Rhys-Davies had, so the tattoo was a fitting gesture for him. The episode shows Rhys-Davies's practical approach on set and his trust in his stunt double.
- #011
In his youth, John Rhys-Davies lost the tip of the middle finger of his left hand while changing the engine of a minibus. During filming of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), a gel tip was fitted to the finger to hide the missing part. One day Rhys-Davies and the crew nearly split this gel tip in two and filled it with stage blood to play a prank on director Peter Jackson. Rhys-Davies approached Jackson saying he had been injured and opened the tip to let the blood flow; Jackson's moments of terror became part of the cheerful atmosphere on set.
- #012
During filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, John Rhys-Davies lost around seventy kilos because of the intense running around the role required. The weight loss made his facial features more pronounced, so when he returned to New Zealand for reshoots the makeup team had to redesign Gimli's makeup to suit his thinner features.
- #013
John Rhys-Davies's physical appearance is often compared to that of the Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti; this resemblance became a running joke in many projects throughout his career. For example, productions such as The Great White Hype (1996) and The King Is Back (1995) made jokes based on this resemblance.
- #014
In April 2004, John Rhys-Davies attended the Armageddon Science Fiction and Comic Book Convention held in Auckland, New Zealand, as a special Lord of the Rings guest. The event provided an opportunity to meet his fans and celebrate the film's success. Rhys-Davies's participation in such events reinforced his warm relationship with his fans and his place in popular culture.
- #015
John Rhys-Davies is the narrator of The Truth & Life Dramatized audio New Testament Bible; it is a fully dramatized 22-hour audiobook using the Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition translation and featuring famous voices. In 2011, he presented the programme KJB: The Book That Changed The World, in which he voiced various passages from the King James Version. These works show his interest in religious texts and his ability to use the power of his voice.
- #016
After attending the independent Truro School in Cornwall, John Rhys-Davies enrolled at the University of East Anglia, where he was one of the first 105 students accepted and became a founder of the university's drama club. These early theatre experiences laid a solid foundation for his acting career.
Characters & Cast (2)
- #017
Before taking the role of Gimli, John Rhys-Davies auditioned for the role of Denethor in The Lord of the Rings but did not get it. Orlando Bloom, before playing Legolas, auditioned for Faramir, Denethor's other son. In an interesting coincidence, Rhys-Davies later played King Priam in Helen of Troy (2003), while Bloom played Priam's son Paris in Troy (2004).
- #018
Two of John Rhys-Davies's television films later inspired similarly themed feature films starring Eric Bana. He played 'Kingpin' in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), while Bana starred in Hulk (2003). He played 'King Priam' in Helen of Troy (2003), while Eric Bana portrayed 'Hector' in Troy (2004). These connections show the interplay between television and cinema and how actors' roles overlap across different projects.
Career & Awards (5)
- #019
John Rhys-Davies was initially reluctant to accept the role of Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), but his son's persistent encouragement convinced him to take part in the legendary production. Without his son's support, we might never have seen Gimli, one of the most unforgettable dwarf characters in cinema history. The decision became a turning point in Rhys-Davies's career and brought him worldwide recognition.
- #020
John Rhys-Davies appeared in two films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for their 'cultural, historical or aesthetic' significance: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). These films are regarded as among the most valuable works of American cinema, and Rhys-Davies's presence in them attests to his lasting impact on film history.
- #021
During the 20 years John Rhys-Davies spent in Los Angeles, a trade magazine ranked him as Hollywood's 44th busiest actor. The statistic proves how hard-working and in-demand an actor he was. During this period he took part in many film and series projects, consolidating his career.
- #022
A Welsh actor, John Rhys-Davies is known for playing Sallah in the Indiana Jones series and Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. With these performances, Rhys-Davies earned an unforgettable place in cinema history.
- #023
John Rhys-Davies is best known for his breakout role in the cult classic Robot in the Family. Although the production came early in his career, it earned him a particular fan base. The role showed his talent in the comedy and science fiction genres at an early stage.
Life & Family (6)
- #024
John Rhys-Davies, who has lived on the Isle of Man since 1988, provides the promotional voiceover for Castle Rushen, one of Britain's best-preserved medieval castles. He also lent his voice to the Isle of Man's tourism advertisement in 2018. These works show his strong bond with the island's people and his support for local culture.
- #025
John Rhys-Davies was a radical leftist in his youth, but his life changed in the 1960s when he went to boo a Conservative MP. The MP silenced the first two hecklers so brilliantly that Rhys-Davies decided he should once shut up and listen; that person was Margaret Thatcher. The event radically changed his political views and led him to support the Conservative Party in later years. Rhys-Davies, who also openly supported Brexit, appeared as a panellist on the BBC's Question Time on 25 April 2019; however, his behaviour towards the politician Caroline Lucas was criticised by some as 'rude and sexist'.
- #026
As a small child, John Rhys-Davies moved to Africa with his family; the voyage was made aboard the SS Medura on his 5th birthday in 1949. Such a major move at an early age was a turning point in his life and may have shaped his interest in different cultures. The experience contributed to an openness and adaptability that also carried over into his acting.
- #027
On religion, John Rhys-Davies holds Christianity in great respect and states that 'Christian civilisation has made the world a better place than it was.' This view reflects his value system and his belief in Western civilisation. Such statements can provoke debate as part of his public persona.
- #028
John Rhys-Davies was one of the celebrities who openly voiced support for Brexit. These statements drew both support and criticism as part of his public persona.
- #029
John Rhys-Davies's first wife, Suzanne, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The illness deeply affected his life; Suzanne died in 2010. Rhys-Davies tried to support his wife through this difficult process, and the experience lays bare the hardships in his personal life.
Related pages
- Danny DeVito — John Rhys-Davies comes up in the facts on that page
- Denholm Elliott — John Rhys-Davies comes up in the facts on that page
- Miranda Otto — John Rhys-Davies comes up in the facts on that page
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