Samantha Davis was a British actress and co-founder of the charity Little People U.K., who was also known for being married to British actor and television presenter, Warwick Davis.
Samantha’s husband, Warwick made headlines recently when he delivered an emotional tribute to his late wife, during his acceptance speech at the 2025 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. His tribute was so emotional that it ended up moving audiences to tears.
The celebrated actor, known for his roles in Star Wars, Willow, and the Harry Potter franchise, was honored with BAFTA’s highest accolade for his outstanding contributions to film and television, as well as his advocacy work.
While accepting the award at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Davis expressed his deep sorrow over Samantha’s passing, saying:
“This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me—and I’ve been in Star Wars. Life has been incredibly tough since losing Samantha, but she always encouraged me to seize every opportunity. Thanks to the support of our wonderful children, I’ve found the strength to keep going.”
Who Was Samantha Davis?
Samantha Davis was more than just the wife of a renowned actor—she was, in fact, a talented actress, philanthropist, and advocate. Born into an acting family, she was the daughter of Peter Burroughs, who starred in Star Wars and Willow.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Samantha went on to build an acting career for herself. She worked on several films, including Labyrinth and Willow—the latter being where she met Warwick Davis.
But, beyond her acting career, she was also an advocate and philanthropist. In fact, Samantha was a co-founder of the charity Little People UK, dedicated to supporting individuals with dwarfism.
In 1995, Samantha and Warwick, alongside her father, established Willow Management, a talent agency specializing in representing actors under five feet and over seven feet tall.
How Did Samantha Davis Pass Away?
Samantha Davis passed away on March 24, 2024, at the age of 53. Her tragic death shocked the industry and sparked an outpouring of deep grief from her many fans around the world.
While no official statement was released regarding the cause of her death, reports suggest she succumbed to sepsis, a severe bacterial infection, following spinal decompression surgery.
This was not her first battle with the condition—she had previously suffered from sepsis in 2019, requiring intensive care treatment. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection, which, if not treated promptly, can result in multiple organ failure and death.
Warwick Davis and Samantha Davis Had Three Children
Warwick Davis and his late wife, Samantha Davis were married for over three decades. They tied the knot in 1991 and remained married for 33 years before Samantha’s death. Together, they had three children: Lloyd, Annabelle, and Harrison.
Tragically, their firstborn, Lloyd, passed away just nine days after birth due to complications from inherited dwarfism genes. However, their other two children are alive and doing well for themselves.
Annabelle Davis
Born on 28 March 1997, Annabelle Davis is now 27 years old. Having been born to parents who are both movie stars, Annabelle has since followed in their footsteps, building a successful acting career for herself.
Over the years, she has starred in several Hollywood projects. She starred as Sasha Bellman in the CBBC series The Dumping Ground (2015–2022) and later portrayed Lacey Lloyd in Hollyoaks (2023).
Harrison Davis
Harrison Davis was born in 2003 and is now 22 years old. Just like his sister, Harrison has also pursued acting. There is no doubt that their parents had an immense impact on them career-wise.
Harrison Davis has since gone on to play different roles in movies. He played Pommet Warrick, an Ewok in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and appeared as a goblin in the Harry Potter films—roles reminiscent of both his father and late mother.
Samantha Left Behind A Legacy of Strength and Advocacy
The death of Samantha Davis came as a shock and was a truly profound loss for her family and the entertainment industry. However, her legacy as an actress, advocate, and devoted mother continues to inspire many to this day.
From her work in film to her unwavering commitment to the dwarfism community, Samantha’s influence remains enduring.
As Warwick Davis expressed in his speech, her love, encouragement, and strength remain a guiding force in his life and the lives of their children.
