During the filming of The Lord of the Rings, John Rhys-Davies, known for his role as Gimli, executed a memorable prank on director Peter Jackson that involved a dramatic reenactment of his own childhood accident.
Background of the Prank
John Rhys-Davies lost the tip of his middle finger in a van accident during his teenage years. To accommodate this, he wore a prosthetic gel tip while filming. The prank was conceived as a way to inject some humor into the intense filming schedule and to playfully scare Jackson.
The Execution
Rhys-Davies collaborated with a practical effects artist to create a fake bloody finger using gelatin and prop blood. He then approached Jackson, dramatically clutching the fake finger and exclaiming, “Boss, boss, I’ve had an accident!” In a shocking moment, he ripped off the tip of the prosthetic, causing fake blood to spurt out. This unexpected display understandably alarmed Jackson, who immediately began looking for medical assistance, only to realize it was all in good fun[1][2][3].
Aftermath
While the prank was intended to be humorous, it highlighted Rhys-Davies’s ability to blend his personal history with his character’s portrayal. Despite the initial shock, such antics contributed to a lighter atmosphere on set amidst the demanding production schedule. Rhys-Davies’s experience with the prosthetics was not without its challenges; he often suffered from allergic reactions to them, leading him to feel self-conscious about his appearance during filming[1][3].
In a celebratory gesture on his last day of shooting, Rhys-Davies famously tore off his makeup mask and burned it, marking the end of an arduous yet rewarding journey in bringing Gimli to life on screen[1].