You’ve seen him as a swashbuckling sorcerer, a cranky leprechaun, and a high-ranking Hogwarts professor. But despite being one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood history, there is one question that follows him more than any other: how tall is Warwick Davis exactly?
It’s a fair question.
Usually, when we talk about a "leading man," we’re thinking about someone who towers over the rest of the cast. Warwick turned that trope on its head decades ago. Honestly, his height is such a core part of his public identity that people often assume they know the number, yet they still end up surprised when they see him standing next to someone like Val Kilmer or Daniel Radcliffe.
The Real Number: Warwick Davis Height Explained
Let’s just get the "official" stat out of the way before we dive into the nuance. Warwick Davis is 3 feet 6 inches tall. That’s about 107 cm for those of you who prefer the metric system.
But here’s the thing: height isn’t just a static number on a doctor's chart when you're a world-famous actor. For Warwick, those 42 inches have been the foundation of a career that has spanned the most iconic franchises in cinematic history. He didn't just "show up" at that height; it was the result of a rare genetic condition called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SED).
Why the exact measurement matters
A lot of people mix up different types of dwarfism. You’ve probably heard of achondroplasia—that’s the most common type. But SED is much rarer. It affects the bone growth in the spine and the ends of the long bones.
Basically, it means Warwick’s proportions and physical journey have been slightly different than other famous "little people" in the industry. For instance, Peter Dinklage (of Game of Thrones fame) stands at roughly 4 feet 5 inches. That’s nearly a foot taller than Warwick! When you see them in a photo together, the difference is actually pretty jarring.
From 2'11" to Wicket: The Early Years
When Warwick was just 11 years old, he wasn't even at his full adult height. At that time, he was roughly 2 feet 11 inches tall.
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Can you imagine being that small and walking onto the set of Return of the Jedi?
It only happened because his grandmother heard a radio advert calling for people under four feet tall to appear in the new Star Wars movie. Originally, he was just supposed to be a background Ewok. But destiny (and a bit of luck) intervened. Kenny Baker, who was originally slated to play Wicket, fell ill with food poisoning.
Warwick stepped in.
George Lucas saw something in the way the kid moved. He had this inquisitive tilt of the head and a personality that translated even through layers of thick yak hair and latex. That 2'11" kid became the breakout star of the forest moon of Endor.
Does height define the role?
Honestly, it’s a double-edged sword. Warwick has been very vocal about how his stature—while providing him with a "niche"—has also been something he’s had to fight to transcend.
- The Leprechaun era: He spent years behind heavy prosthetics.
- The Harry Potter years: He played Professor Flitwick (two different versions!) and the goblin Griphook.
- Life’s Too Short: A mockumentary where he plays a fictionalized, ego-driven version of himself.
In Life's Too Short, he leans into the comedy of his height. There’s a scene where he’s trying to climb through a window or reach a doorbell that is just painfully, hilariously awkward. It works because Warwick is in on the joke. He knows exactly how the world perceives a man who is 3'6", and he uses that to highlight the absurdity of the industry.
The "Willow" Shift
The real turning point was Willow (1988). Ron Howard and George Lucas didn't want a "stunt" actor; they wanted a leading man. Even though the character was a Nelwyn (a race of short people), the movie treated Warwick like the hero he was.
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He wasn't just "the short guy." He was the father, the aspiring sorcerer, and the protector of a baby. It was one of the first times a major Hollywood production put a 3'6" actor front and center without making the height the entire plot.
The Physical Reality of Being 3'6"
We should talk about the "non-Hollywood" side of this. Being how tall Warwick Davis is comes with real-world physical challenges that don't make it into the blooper reels.
As he’s gotten older, Warwick has been open about the wear and tear SED puts on the body. Joint issues are common. Surgeries are often part of the deal. His wife, Samantha (who sadly passed away in 2024), also had dwarfism (achondroplasia), and their children, Annabelle and Harrison, inherited Warwick's SED.
They’ve essentially navigated a world built for people twice their size as a team.
He once described living in a "standard" world as a constant series of puzzles. Reaching a light switch, using a high-street ATM, or even finding clothes that don't look like they came from the toddlers' section—it requires a level of resourcefulness most of us never have to develop.
Why He’s the "Highest-Grossing" Short Actor
If you look at the numbers, Warwick Davis is actually one of the most successful actors of all time in terms of box office revenue. Because he’s been in Star Wars, Harry Potter, and the MCU, the total gross of his films is in the billions.
But he’s more than just a lucky charm for big franchises.
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He founded Willow Management, an agency specifically for short actors. He got tired of seeing his peers treated like props or "background dressing." He wanted to ensure that if a production needed someone of a specific stature, they were getting actual actors—people with timing, range, and professionalism.
Quick Height Comparison Chart (Visualized in Prose)
To give you some perspective on where Warwick sits in the Hollywood lineup:
- Verne Troyer (Mini-Me): Stood at 2 feet 8 inches.
- Warwick Davis: 3 feet 6 inches.
- Tony Cox (Bad Santa): Also around 3 feet 6 inches.
- Peter Dinklage: 4 feet 5 inches.
- Danny DeVito: 4 feet 10 inches.
As you can see, there’s a massive range within what people broadly call "short." Warwick is right in that middle spot where he’s significantly smaller than someone like DeVito, but still taller than the late Verne Troyer.
What's Next?
Warwick hasn't slowed down. Whether he's hosting the game show Tenable or returning to the world of Willow for the Disney+ series, he continues to prove that his 3'6" frame can hold more screen presence than actors twice his size.
He’s moved from being "the guy in the suit" to a legitimate British institution. He’s an author, a presenter, and a producer.
If you're looking to learn more about the reality of his career, you should definitely check out his autobiography, Size Matters Not. It’s a bit of an older book now, but the insights into the Return of the Jedi filming days are gold.
Actionable Takeaways
- Respect the Terminology: Warwick has mentioned he prefers "little person" or "short person," but "dwarf" is also acceptable in a medical/technical context. Avoid the "M" word—it's widely considered offensive.
- Look Beyond the Suit: Next time you watch Harry Potter or Star Wars, look for his name in the credits. He often plays multiple roles in the same film (like Griphook and Flitwick).
- Support Inclusive Casting: Warwick's agency, Willow Management, is a great place to start if you're interested in how representation for short actors has changed over the last 40 years.
Warwick Davis being 3'6" is a fact, but it's probably the least interesting thing about him once you see his filmography. He’s a giant in the industry, regardless of what the measuring tape says.