Raised in England, Africa and Wales, John Rhys-Davies graduated from the University of East Anglia and refined his acting and writing craft at London’s renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Best known for his roles in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Rhys-Davies has worked in theatre, television and film. Most recently, he starred in the first two installments of The Lord of the Rings as Gimli and Treebeard, and the television movie Helen of Troy. Rhys-Davies has starred in numerous films, including The Living Daylights, King Solomon’s Mines, The Lost World and Victor/Victoria. His television credits include the movies Lord of the Piercing, Britannic, Great Expectations, War and Remembrance, along with the television series "Sliders" and "The Untouchables". In addition, Rhys-Davies has lent his voice to such projects as The Jungle Book 2, SpongeBob SquarePants, Aladdin and the King of Thieves and The Fantastic Four. On stage, he has performed in "The Misanthrope" and "Hedda Gabler" as well as most of Shakespeare’s works.