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‘This news will come as a great shock to many,’ actor’s brother says
Jacob Stolworthy Tuesday 02 June 2026 12:09 BST- Bookmark
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Owain Rhys Davies, the Welsh actor who had roles in cult shows Twin Peaks: The Return and The OA, has died suddenly, aged 44.
His family announced the news on Tuesday (2 June) in a statement reading: “It is with profound sadness that my father and I share the news that my brother, Owain, has passed away.
“This news will come as a great shock to many. The reach of Owain’s love, friendship, and generosity was vast.”
Rhys Davies’ brother, Rhodri, said there were “questions” surrounding his brother’s death, but said the family’s “understanding is that Owain passed suddenly, naturally, and peacefully”.
The statement added: “The outpouring of messages we have received over the past few days has been deeply moving and a testament to the impact he had on so many lives.”
Rhodri said that “Owain was fortunate enough to have more than one family”, stating: “Alongside his biological one, he built extraordinary, family-like bonds with many of his closest friends, colleagues, and loved ones.”
open image in galleryOwain Rhus Davies has died suddenly, aged 44 (Getty)He added that he and his father, Conway, are “taking comfort in knowing how loved he was”.
Rhys Davies was best known for his role in Twin Peaks: The Return , David Lynch and Mark Frost's revival of the hit 1990s series, which aired in 2017. He played Agent Wilson in three episodes. He also appeared in Netflix sci-fi drama The OA, co-starring Brit Marling and Jason Isaacs.
His other credits included 2016 Disney film Alice Through the Looking Glass and 2019 horror satire A Serial Killer's Guide to Life.
Rhys Davies studied at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, where he graduated in 2003, and his first role was playing Pepper in Mamma Mia! at London’s Prince Edward Theatre.
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open image in galleryOwain Rhys Davies as Agent Wilson in 'Twin Peaks: The Return' (Showtime)Tributes are pouring in for Rhys Davies, with Humphrey Ker, a writer on SNL UK, posting: “My friend Owain has died. Unexpectedly and most unwelcomely. He was a gentleman and a wally and a talent and a giver and maker of joy.
“I shall miss him very much. I shall, in the brilliant words of Jack Rooke: ‘Not let the injustice of what could have been override all the joy of what was.’”
This Way Up star Aisling Bea shared a series of photos of Rhys Davies on Instagram, with the caption: “Our beautiful friend Owain Rhys Davies has passed away. A big glittering Welsh ball of light and fun and high kicks and a million memories of our halcyon days roaming West Hollywood in our early thirties drinking and dreaming and dancing. A brilliant actor, dancer, friend and uncle. It is so terribly sad. He was and is so incredibly loved. Cysgu’n dda, cariad. xxx.”
Downton Abbey actor Joanne Froggatt said she was “devastated to lose our beautiful friend”, writing: “He was more than a friend, he was joy, and life and talent and kindness and fun and intelligence, [he] was everything, and my brain can’t compute that we don’t get to hug him again.
“What I would give for one more hug. You’re forever in our hearts.”
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