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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Warren Betts Planetary Society Adds Lord of the Rings Actor to Advisory CouncilPasadena, CA, — Acclaimed Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies has joined The Planetary Society's Advisory Council as its newest member. Referencing both his role as the dwarf warrior Gimli in the Lord of the Rings and Isaac Newton's quote about standing on the shoulders of giants,* Rhys-Davies quipped upon accepting the position, "If you wish to see further than most, is it wise to stand on the shoulders of dwarves?" Rhys-Davies has enjoyed a decades-long career that includes film, television and the stage. He is perhaps best known for his work in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, for which he and his fellow cast members were recently awarded the ensemble acting award by the Screen Actors Guild. That honor is the guild's version of a best-picture award. Film audiences also enjoyed his role as Indiana Jones' good friend Sallah in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Louis Friedman, Executive Director of the Society, said, "Not only is John a remarkable actor, but he also has an insightful grasp of both the wonders and excitement of planetary exploration. He adds stature, dimension and perspective to our Advisory Council." Raised in England, Africa and Wales, Rhys-Davies credits his early exposure to classic literature for his decision to pursue acting and writing. After receiving a degree in history and English literature from the University of East Anglia, Rhys-Davies refined his dramatic craft at London's renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has an abiding interest in astronomy and space exploration and has twice appeared in stage productions that were fundraisers for The Planetary Society: portraying the famed Italian astronomer in an adaptation of Dava Sobel's book Galileo's Daughter and presenting Ray Bradbury's An Evening on Mars with an ensemble cast. The Planetary Society, the world's largest space-interest group, counts several
other members of the entertainment community among its Board of Directors
and Advisory Council, including director and producer Steven Spielberg, television
host and educator Bill Nye The Science Guy, actor Robert Picardo, and producer
Ann Druyan. * "If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." -- Sir Isaac Newton About the Planetary SocietyCarl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman founded The Planetary Society in 1980 to advance the exploration of the solar system and to continue the search for extraterrestrial life. With members in over 125 countries, the Society is the largest space interest group in the world. For more information, contact Susan Lendroth at (626) 793-5100, ext. 237, or by e-mail at susan.lendroth@planetary.org. Learn more about The Planetary Society by exploring our innovative projects. The Planetary Society65 N. Catalina Avenue Pasadena, CA 91106-2301 USA Web: www.planetary.org Voice: (626) 793-5100 Fax: (626) 793-5528 Email: tps@planetary.org #####
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