Acclaimed Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies graduated from the University of East Anglia and is probably best known to film audiences for his roles in the blockbuster hits Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He has also had leading roles in Victor/Victoria, The Living Daylights and King Solomon's Mines.

Rhys-Davies, who was raised in England, Africa and Wales, credits his early exposure to classic literature for his decision to pursue acting and writing. he later refined his craft at London's renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. His television credits include James Clavell's _"Shogun" (1980) (mini)_ and Noble House, Great Expectations, _"War and Remembrance" (1989) (mini)_ and Archaeology.

An avid collector of vintage automobiles, Rhys-Davies has a host of theater roles to his credit, including "the Misanthrope", "Hedda Gabler" and most of Shakespeare's works. He divides his time between Los Angeles and the Isle of Man.


John Rhys-Davies spent up to 5 hours a day putting on makeup for the role of Gimli in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It was discovered early on that he was allergic to the prosthetics, so he could only put them on and work about every third day. The first week, it burned off the skin under his eyes. Keeps busy by developing a new hobby with each movie. Ironically, he is actually taller than The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) co-stars Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom and Ian McKellen, yet he plays the Dwarf. Two of his television movies have been followed up with similarly themed theatrical films starring Eric Bana. He played "The Kingpin" in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) (TV); the film Hulk (2003) starred Bana. He played "King Priam" in Helen of Troy (2003) (TV); Eric Bana played "Hector" in Troy (2004). April 2004 - Appeared as the special Lord of the Rings guest at the Armageddon Sci-Fi and Comics Convention in Auckland, New Zealand. Every film he has made with 'Kiran Shah' has been nominated for Best Picture: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). Attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London, England, and is an Associate Member. Graduated from the University of East Anglia. Parents: Rhys Davies (a mechanical engineer) and Mary Margaretta Phyllis Jones (a nurse). While working on the Lord of the Rings films, he lost seventy pounds from all the running around the part involved. When he went back to New Zealand for re-shoots, the makeup artists had to alter his Gimli makeup to better fit his slimmed-down facial features.