- John Rhys-Davies, known for his roles in "Indiana Jones" and "The Lord of the Rings," shares two children with his first wife.
- He welcomed his third child, a girl, with his partner, Lisa Manning, in 2006. At the time, he was still married to his first wife.
- He appeared in the latest "Indiana Jones" movie and believed his fans would love watching it.
John Rhys-Davies, best known as Sallah in the "Indiana Jones" movies, was born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom. His mother, Mary Margaretta Phyllis, was a nurse, while his father, Rhys Davies, a mechanical engineer, worked as a Colonial Officer.
Despite not having parents from the acting industry, John worked hard and made his place in Hollywood. He became interested in acting after reading classic literature at an early age.
John Rhys-Davies as Sallah in "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark," released on June 12, 1981. | Source: Getty Images
After developing an interest in acting, John polished his skill at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and soon built a successful career with his acting skills and hard work. Besides his role in "Indiana Jones," John is also known for his character in the "The Lord of the Rings" franchise.
What Happened to John's First Wife and Who Is His Second Wife?
John tied the knot with Suzanne Wilkinson in December 1966, and the couple welcomed two children, Ben Davies and Tom Davies. Everything went well in the couple's life until Suzanne developed signs of Alzheimer's.
Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, and Sean Connery on the set of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." | Source: Getty Images
According to the actor, his wife began asking "stupid questions," but he did not know it was because of her deteriorating condition. He admitted feeling annoyed by her unusual behavior and thought it was because of their problems.
He added that it was also difficult for his boys to see their mother develop symptoms of Alzheimer's. Because of her condition, John felt his wife had become a "younger sister" to his teenage sons. John also admitted:
"I was never there for her, and she deserved far better than me."
John Rhys-Davies as Sallah in "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." | Source: Getty Images
It wasn't until 1995 that the doctors diagnosed Suzanne with Alzheimer's disease, and John finally understood the reason behind her unusual behavior. After learning about her condition, a full-time nurse was appointed to look after her at home.
As years passed, Suzanne's condition worsened, and she was soon moved to a nursing home. When her condition began to deteriorate, John promised he "would always look after her," and he kept it. He didn't divorce Suzanne despite falling in love with Lisa Manning, who gave birth to his third child.
John Rhys-Davies on June 26, 2023 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
John first met Manning, a television journalist, when she interviewed him in 2004. After the interview, John sent her a text message saying he was looking for a life partner, which Manning remembers as "the longest text" she had ever received from him.
John Rhys Davies with Suzanne in New York, United States on December 13, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
Soon, the couple began dating and welcomed their baby, Maia Davies, in 2006. At the time, John was still married to Suzanne. He did not tie the knot with Manning until Suzanne passed away in August 2010. The couple wed in New Zealand.
What Is John Doing Now?
After a successful acting career, John still hasn't stopped accepting roles. His recent big-screen appearance includes the latest "Indiana Jones" movie, where he reprises his role of Sallah.
"I could not turn down [the return] – you can’t. It would be disrespectful to Harrison, for whom I have a great deal of respect, and to the audience really not to appear," he said about his latest film role.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, John said it felt "nice not to be completely forgotten" since he returned to the movie after years. Before the film's release, John was sure it would be a great hit.
In another interview, the actor revealed he was "supposed to become a soldier, a lawyer, and all sorts of establishment things," but one of his teachers told him about drama classes. That was when the then-young John enjoyed acting and later pursued it as a career.
John lives in the Isle of Man which has been his home for over 30 years. He also spends time in his New Zealand home but hopes authorities of the Isle of Man would work on making the beautiful place available for the film and TV industry. He said:
"If we wish to, we could double or triple tourism to the island with one decent film."
John Rhys-Davies, his wife Lisa Manning, and their daughter Mia on September 13, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images
Though he has made a mark as Sallah, John is also popular among younger fans because of his character in "The Lord of the Rings." He played the role of Gimli, a dwarf warrior. Speaking of this role, the actor revealed that children often feel disappointed upon meeting him in real life because they don't expect him to be tall.
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