Owain Rhys Davies, the Welsh actor who gained international recognition for his performances in David Lynch's Twin Peaks: The Return and the Netflix series The OA, has died at the age of 44. His family confirmed the news in a statement released through his brother, Rhodri.
“It is with profound sadness that my father and I share the news that my brother, Owain, has passed away,” Rhodri Rhys Davies said. “This news will come as a great shock to many. The reach of Owain’s love, friendship, and generosity was vast.” He added that while there are “questions” surrounding the death, the family’s “understanding is that Owain passed suddenly, naturally, and peacefully.”
A Career Spanning Stage and Screen
Born on 20 February 1982 in Cardiff, Wales, Rhys Davies built a career that bridged the West End stage and cult television. He performed at the Royal National Theatre and appeared in major London productions including Mamma Mia! and The Wizard of Oz. His stage credits also included The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood.
On screen, he was perhaps best known for his role as FBI Agent Wilson in Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), the revival of the 1990s series by David Lynch and Mark Frost. In the show, his character was frequently berated by his superior. He also appeared in the Netflix sci-fi drama The OA (2019), starring Brit Marling and Jason Isaacs.
His other film and television credits include the 2016 Disney film Alice Through the Looking Glass, the comedy series My Dead Ex, and the 2019 horror satire A Serial Killer's Guide to Life. He had completed work on two final projects — Jeff the Killer and La Fantasia — both currently in post-production.
Rhys Davies’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the UK and beyond. His brother noted the actor’s wide circle of friends and the impact he had on those who knew him.
As Europe’s cultural landscape continues to evolve, the loss of a performer who moved between the intimacy of Welsh theatre and the global reach of streaming platforms underscores the interconnected nature of the continent’s creative industries. From Cardiff to London to Hollywood, Rhys Davies’s work touched audiences far beyond his native Wales.
