Cast member John Rhys-Davies participates in Viacom MTV "The Shannara Chronicles" panel during the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter press tour in Pasadena, California January 6, 2016. REUTERS/Alex Gallardo - RTX21C5P
John Rhys-Davies, best known for his role as Gimli in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is perhaps just as well known for his outspoken views.
The actor came under fire in 2015 for an interview he gave in which he slammed political correctness, saying "we have lost our moral compass completely.”
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Davies told FOX411 his views have cost him friends in Hollywood.
"I know there are certain people in Hollywood who would not work with me because I have said things that are not PC," the 72-year-old actor told us. "I have lost friends and that saddens me."
Davies said he feels it is the responsibility of actors to explore others' beliefs and to constantly question. Instead, he said many of his actor friends believe their opinion is the only right one.
"I love my fellow actors but sometimes I think that their opinions are wrong. True art asks uncomfortable questions and if you find yourself agreeing with everyone around you all the time, you should wonder what your significance as a citizen and as an artist is."
He added, "But that's not really important. What matters is that a civilization is kept alive and vital by debate."
The British-born actor said he is worried for our civilization.
"The world is a dirtier and darker place now than it has probably been for 200 years," he said. "Western civilization is profound and tolerant and we are now confronted with a far more vital and energetic civilization...[that is] completely antithetical to our beliefs, and how we cope with that is going to be the big challenge for the [21st] century [because we] will lose it if we don't defend it in the right way."
Davies most recently starred in the film "Peter: The Redemption" alongside Stephen Baldwin. He said he was attracted to the role because of its faith-based message.
"I think [the film] touches on something fairly important -- whether you're a Christian or not, we are all heirs to Western European Judeo-Christian civilization, and your right to have your own views and opinions directly comes from the Christians."
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