Warwick Davis, 'Life's Too Short' Star, Launches Nonprofit To Help Little People

Actor Warwick Davis has stepped out of the sci-fi spotlight and into the documentary realm and is getting comfortable in another new role, helping other people living with dwarfism.

Davis, a 3-foot 6-inch star who made his big break in the "Return of the Jedi," recently moved away from the fantasy genre to play a fictionalized version of himself in a new HBO show, "Life's Too Short." Though the Ricky Gervais series is a faux documentary, the struggles Davis’ character faces are very real -- and are the inspiration behind his starting an organization to help little people, PeterboroughToday reports.

"This is something I'm really passionate about, especially when you think 'how can these people be in such a lonely and confused state in this day and age?'" Davis told the news outlet.

The actor, who also played Professor Flitwick in the "Harry Potter" movies, launched his nonprofit -- Little People UK -- on Saturday, and hopes to offer those living with dwarfism both a social and medical outlet.

"We want to bring together medical expertise because there are people with dwarfism born all over the country and doctors don't always understand the condition," Davis told Northantset. "We hear stories all the time of parents who haven't had a diagnosis for at least three years."

Warwick's wife, Sam, told the news outlet that they dreamed of starting such a project for 20 years and that "our door is always open to families."

Comments

[Hans Meiser]

08:25 AM on 02/17/2012

"Life's Too Short" is really funny, the self-deprecating humor is great.

Somehow I believe I need to watch the movie 'Willow', but when I ask about it I just get blank stares.

[MJinCanada]

11:23 PM on 02/17/2012

It's worth asking a video store or library to get it in for you. Warwick Davis gets the real hero role and a hunky sword-swinging Val Kilmer is his sidekick.

[AG creative]

02:31 AM on 02/17/2012

Willow!

[themidnightreview]

02:31 AM on 02/17/2012

Peck!

[Aramaki]

02:29 AM on 02/17/2012

I loved the Ewok episode in this Life is too short series (SOPA!!!)

High-larious!!!!

The 'new washing machine' episode was also pretty funny.

[Alex Christie]

02:23 AM on 02/17/2012

This article was too short.

[Aramaki]

02:39 AM on 02/17/2012

He got the short-rift.
The short end of the stick, so to speak.

Little respect, if you ask me.
Small wonder, what this place is coming to.

Okay I'll stop now.

[Turukano]

02:10 AM on 02/17/2012

Bet he wishes he had the Game of Thrones job just like he has dominated every other little person role.

[Aramaki]

02:26 AM on 02/17/2012

I don't think he would have made as a good a Tyrion Lannister as Peter Dinklage has.

I've seen both of them in previous other roles and let's just say that HBO got this one right.

[GrantS]

02:06 AM on 02/17/2012

Good for him.

It's a tall order and a huge endeavor to reach in order to make the world a bigger place for them all. To a high degree I believe he will over succeed in his lofty pursuit of extending and elevating the expanded understanding necessary for dwarfism. It's a stretch to see failure. I'm sure many will be elated beyond belief how he raised the subject. It is uplifting news that is long overdue.

[Aramaki]

02:27 AM on 02/17/2012

Nicely done.

I wonder how long it took you to type that one.

But seriously, I really enjoyed it.
I don't think everyone will get it though.

[jen q]

01:23 AM on 02/17/2012

Um...why did they not mention that Warwick Davis was the star of the movie "Willow" and also played the Leprechaun???

[Quark50]

01:17 AM on 02/17/2012

Meh. This craze ended when Joe C. (of Kid Rock fame) died.

[AngryHarpy]

06:47 AM on 02/17/2012

What craze?

[AngryHarpy]

12:42 AM on 02/17/2012

Willow! How could the article not mention the movie Willow?

This is a great cause and I know it's close to his heart. Just a few days ago Chelsey Handler made a comment about Little People on The Rosie O'Donnell show that I was reading about. Apparently she said:

"There are not a lot of job opportunities for those kinds of people. They need help."

I mean, that's just such an insulting statement. As if they cannot handle jobs and careers that average sized people can. Research and a better understanding is definitely needed.

[Mitchell Horton]

01:29 AM on 02/17/2012

Except they DON'T have alot of job opportunities, because people don't give them the same chances.
Capable or not, they are often relegated to "small people" jobs, and thus need help.

[AngryHarpy]

02:25 AM on 02/17/2012

I disagree. I think many of those who go into acting do so because there is a market for them. I know there's at least one acting company for Little People that is owned by a Little Person. They're often tasked with very insulting roles being not as well-known as Warwick Davis.

[JCleveland]

12:34 AM on 02/17/2012

I have always enjoyed his work. Check IMDb, bet he's in something you loved...