Today, John Rhys-Davis is a world-class actor who has become famous for working on many popular films, including the Indiana Jones adventure films, as well as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Many fans are interested in the biographical data of the famous artist.
John Rhys-Davis: biography and general information
The future famous actor was born in the UK, in Salisbury, May 5, 1944. His parents are Welsh by birth. Father Rhys worked at the Colonial Department, and Mary's mother was a nurse.
From childhood, the boy was interested in acting. By the way, he received his education at the University of East Anglia, where he also regularly took part in stage productions. And after graduation, he entered one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world - the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
First steps in a career
After graduation, John Rhys-Davis continues to work on the stage. And in the early seventies, slowly begins to make his way to television, participating in not too well-known series, getting episodic roles in films.
In 1976, the debut of the young actor on television. He played Macron in a mini-series called "I, Claudius." In 1980, the new historical series The Shogun appeared, where John got the role of Vasco Rodriguez. And in 1981, the filmography of the aspiring artist was replenished with the film "The Apostles Peter and Paul."
Indiana Jones and First Success
In 1981, the actor was offered a role in a rather popular series of films about the adventures of Indiana Jones. In the film “Indiana Jones: In Search of the Lost Ark”, he played Sallah, a famous Egyptian archaeologist and friend of the main character.
By the way, it was this role that made the actor famous for the masses, and it was she who became a certain turning point in his career. In 1989, the actor starred in the continuation of the story "The Last Crusade" along with Harrison Ford.
John Rhys-Davis: filmography
After success in the role of assistant to the restless Indiana, the actor began to receive invitations to other serious projects. In 1982, he played Andre Kassel in the rather popular movie Victor / Victoria. In the same year he took part in the film adaptation of “Aivengo”.
In 1983, John played Richard the Lionheart in the movie Robin from Sherwood. In the same year he participated in the filming of the film "Sahara." A year later, he again appeared on the screens in the film “The Brave Sword”. In 1985, the actor was involved in the film "Mines of King Solomon."
In 1987, another important role for the career followed - John played the Russian general Leonid Pushkin in the movie James Bond: Living Lights. In 1992, the actor appeared on the screens in the image of Rudy Won Xenbaum in "Double Agent". In the same year, he played Professor Challenger in the films Lost World and Return to the Lost World. In addition, he played Nick in "The Picture" and participated in the filming of the movie "The Seventh Coin."
Of course, the following years were no less fruitful, as the famous actor did not think to slow down. In 1993, he began filming the series The Untouchables. In addition, he played Professor Harley Warren in the horror film "Unimaginable Horror 2". In 1994, the actor received a cameo role in the film "She wrote the murder."
In the same 1994, John got a role in the film "Sky Crusade" - here he played brother Parvus. A year later, he reappeared on the screens in the image of Emelyan Pugachev in the historical film "Catherine the Great."
1995 marked a new rise in the career of an actor. It was at this time that he was offered to play Professor Maximilian Arturo in the series “Sliding”. The role of a physics teacher who, along with a group of young people travels through parallel worlds, unable to return home, has made John even more popular among viewers. The actor continued to work on this series for two years.
In 1996, John Rhys-Davis starred in the film "Big White Cheating." In addition, he played Leonardo da Vinci in the tapes Star Trek: Voyager. Season 3 "and" Season 4 ".
The Lord of the Rings trilogy and worldwide fame
In 2001, the actor was offered one of the roles in the film adaptation of the famous novel by J. Tolkien “The Lord of the Rings”. By that time, the actor was already quite popular and in demand in both American and world cinema. It is worth noting that at first John refused the offer, because the work seemed to him too hard. However, his agent, as well as his son, who loves this story, persuaded the actor to agree to work.
Tough, sarcastic, but strong and honest gnome Gimli - it was he who played John Rhys-Davis. The growth of the actor, by the way, is about 180 centimeters, so different platforms were used for filming in order to achieve the necessary proportions between the characters.
As you know, the film was incredibly successful - he received four Oscar figurines and 68 other awards. Subsequently, the actor played the role of the stern gnome in the continuation of the story - “The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers” (2002), as well as “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”.
Of course, it was after this role that actor John Rhys-Davis became famous throughout the world. And although teamwork on the project brought him pleasure, John often noted that long hours of filming in makeup using platforms and other devices were given to him hard.
Career development after the role of Gimli
Naturally, after the role of the gnome, the actor began to enjoy incredible popularity. To this day, he is actively involved in various projects. For example, in 2002, he played Anthony Bricklin in the horror film Sabretooth. In the same year he worked on the thriller Dangerous Individuals.
In 2003, with the participation of the actor, several films were released at once, including “Medallion” and “Elena Troyanskaya”, where he played Priam. In 2004, John starred in The Diaries of Princess 2: How to Become a Queen, Phantom of the Opera, 12 Days of Fear, and The Power of the Dragon.
The next year was no less fruitful. During this time, he managed to work on the films “The Lost Angel” and “The Servant of the King”, as well as “The Game of Their Lives” and “Shadows in the Sun.” And in 2007, the picture “In the Name of the King: The History of the Underground Siege” was released, where he got the role of Merik.
John Rhys-Davis (photos are presented in our article) also worked on such popular films as “Fire and Ice: The Dragon Chronicles”, “Prisoners of the Sun”, “Wound: Wolf Night”, “Ferocious Planet” and “100 degrees below zero ".
During his career, the actor managed to star in more than two hundred films. And, despite his age, he still continues to work on the set.