ACTOR · BORN 1944
John Rhys-Davies
- Born
- 5 May 1944, Ammanford, Wales, UK
- Known for
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Aquaman (2018)
49 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
13 Facts About John Rhys-Davies' Life and Family
- #010
John Rhys-Davies's personal life took shape when he separated from his wife Suzanne, with whom he has two sons, Tom and Ben, in the early 1980s; the couple never divorced, however. Suzanne was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1995 and died in 2010. Rhys-Davies has lived with Lisa Manning since 2004, and they have a daughter named Maia. This family story sheds light on the difficulties and commitments in the actor's private life.
- #011
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.
- #015
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'.
- #022
John Rhys-Davies's parents were Rhys Davies, a mechanical engineer, and Mary Margaretta Phyllis Jones, a nurse. His father's profession caused the family to move to Africa, which meant Rhys-Davies spent his childhood among different cultures. This background may have shaped his worldview and the depth he brought to his acting.
- #023
John Rhys-Davies spent his childhood in Tanganyika (today part of Tanzania) because his father worked there as a colonial police officer. The family later moved to the town of Ammanford in Wales. These early experiences may have sharpened his sensitivity to different cultures and his adaptability, which in turn helped him portray a variety of characters in his acting career.
- #027
After graduating from the University of East Anglia, John Rhys-Davies attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and became an Associate Member of the institution. RADA is one of the world's most prestigious acting schools, and this training gave him a solid foundation for his stage and screen performances. This academic background also earned him respect as a serious theatre actor.
- #029
After teaching at a secondary school in the town of Watton in Norfolk, John Rhys-Davies earned a place to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. This transition was an important step in discovering his passion and talent for acting. His teaching experience may have given him valuable skills in communicating with people and analysing characters.
- #031
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.
- #034
In an interview with the conservative magazine National Review, John Rhys-Davies stated his opposition to Islamic extremism, because he believes the ideology violates Western values such as equality, democracy, tolerance and the abolition of slavery. These remarks set out his political views and values clearly. Such views can become a source of controversy as part of his public persona.
- #040
John Rhys-Davies was a radical leftist as a university student in the 1960s, but his views changed when he went to boo Margaret Thatcher. He said Thatcher so brilliantly silenced the first two hecklers that he decided he should once shut up and listen, and this event marked the beginning of his political transformation, leading him toward conservative views in the following years. The anecdote shows he has an open-minded and persuadable personality.
- #041
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.
- #043
John Rhys-Davies was one of the celebrities who openly voiced support for Brexit. This political stance reflects his belief in the United Kingdom's independence and his criticism of the European Union. These statements drew both support and criticism as part of his public persona.
- #047
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.
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