Lord of the Rings Actor Reveals Iconic Beard Line Was Improvised

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John Rhys-Davies, famous for his role in “The Lord of the Rings,” shared that one of his funniest and standout lines was made up on the spot. As part of the acclaimed Peter Jackson “Lord of the Rings” films, Rhys-Davies plays Gimli, a dwarf who journeys with Legolas and others on various missions. Known for his loyalty, combat skills, and humor, Gimli is a recurring source of amusement throughout the series.

In “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” Gimli, portrayed by Rhys-Davies, makes his debut. This is where he teams up with Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) in their quest to destroy the One Ring. Notably, a memorable scene between Gimli and Legolas (Orlando Bloom) unfolds in that film, when Gimli warns Legolas not to touch his beard.

During the John Rhys-Davies panel at the Denver Fan Expo, attended by ScreenRant, the Lord of the Rings actor shared an amusing anecdote about an improvised moment during filming. As he recounted, while filming a scene, Orlando Bloom accidentally grabbed his beard as Rhys-Davies stumbled, leading to the memorable line “not the beard!” Listen to Rhys-Davies’ comments below:

In our scene filmed against a green backdrop, we were leaping here and there. I intentionally lost balance, teetered dramatically, and Orlando Bloom quickly reacted, thinking I might fall from this small platform. He grabbed my beard for support, but I clenched his hand tightly in response, growling at him, “Hands off the beard!

What This Means For The Lord Of The Rings

The Iconic Line Happens During A Pivotal Sequence

During a crucial and dramatic scene in “The Fellowship of the Ring,” an amusing interaction takes place. As Gimli and his companions narrowly avoid the Balrog and rush out of collapsing Moria, he asserts that Dwarves aren’t thrown. This becomes a well-known joke due to his statement. In the midst of jumping over broken steps, Legolas clings to Gimli’s beard to ensure his safe escape.

After the unfortunate event involving Gandalf (Ian McKellen), the Fellowship of the Ring experiences a profound emotional shift, with Gimli and the others mourning. This emotional turmoil serves to highlight the gravity of the situation even more. It’s intriguing to ponder how the scene would have unfolded without Rhys-Davies’ improvisation, but his reaction aligns perfectly with Gimli’s character.

Our Take On The Lord Of The Rings Beard Line

The Epic Trilogy Incorporates Moments Of Humor

Regardless of the dangerous adventures and escalating risks, the Lord of the Rings trilogy skillfully infuses humor into its narrative. For instance, Gimli, with his famous beard, has several comical scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring, such as when he boasts about his keen senses only to be outsmarted by Elves, and his humorous responses to comments from other characters.

In addition to Gimli, Pippin Took and Merry Brandybuck (played by Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan) add humor to different parts of The Lord of the Rings series. It’s intriguing to ponder what other improvised lines or moments, similar to John Rhys-Davies’ famous one from the initial trilogy film, might have made an impact and become memorable in one of the movies.

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2025-07-07 13:47