Stephen Fry profile
Blackadder Goes Forth is currently off air
UKTV likes to recognise the greatest of British talents. On this occasion we salute Stephen Fry, one of the country's wittiest comedians.
Who is Mr Fry?
The son of inventor Alan Fry, Stephen grew up in Norfolk with his brother, Roger and sister, Jo. He attended both Uppingham School and Stout's Hill before heading to Queens College, Cambridge in 1979. Just before entering full time student life, though, Fry spent three months in Pucklechurch prison for credit card fraud. He finished his degree with a 2:1 in English in 1982. Just two years later Fry became a millionaire thanks to his rewrite of the musical "Me and My Girl" which also earned him a nomination for a Tony award. His career took off with a bang and throughout the 80's he worked in TV, radio and wrote a column in the Daily Telegraph. A familiar face without a doubt, probably better known for his parts in Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and now the voice of the Harry Potter movies narrator.
Friends of old
They say the best friends you make are at university. It seems to be the case for Fry and friends. At Cambridge Stephen was a member of the Cherubs drinking club, as well as a member of Footlights where he met Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery, Martin Bergmann, and Hugh Laurie. It was Emma Thompson who introduced Fry to Laurie and the pair embarked on a fruitful friendship and writing partnership in 1981. Their work made them a name at May Week, at the Edinburgh Festival, and even took them on a three month tour of Australia. The cooperation continued well into their careers and most notably with Jeeves and Wooster.
Room 101
Room 101 sometimes holds a few surprises in store. When Stephen Fry visited we discovered what he just can't stand. The comic genius with an academic side admits his pet hates are Microsoft, New Age gear, novelty plates and "late-night review shows on which self-appointed experts pontificate pompously". You'd be hard pushed to find someone to disagree with him on those!
No more news for you
Stephen used to be a regular guest on the BBC quiz "Have I Got News for You" from 1990 onwards. However he hasn't made an appearance since Angus Deayton lost his job as chair after being caught misbehaving with drugs and prostitutes. Fry is allegedly refusing to appear on the show as a protest against the sacking of the former host!
Terence Higgins Trust
Stephen has long been a supporter of the Terence Higgins Trust. The charity is the leading HIV and AIDS charity in the UK and the largest in Europe. One of the first of its kind, the trust was set up in 1982 to respond to the HIV epidemic by friends of Terry Higgins. He was one of the first people in the UK to die with AIDS and his loved ones set up the trust in an attempt to personalise and humanise AIDS.
Did you know?
Stephen Fry resides in SW1 and Norfolk.
Emma Thompson said in Tatler that he was "90 percent gay, 10 percent other!"
Stephen is a keen internet user, a cricket fan, and a teddy bear collector. He also flies his own biplane.
He is the rector of Dundee University yet, he holds the record for saying the 'f-word' the most times live on television in the UK.
The son of inventor Alan Fry, Stephen grew up in Norfolk with his brother, Roger and sister, Jo. He attended both Uppingham School and Stout's Hill before heading to Queens College, Cambridge in 1979. Just before entering full time student life, though, Fry spent three months in Pucklechurch prison for credit card fraud. He finished his degree with a 2:1 in English in 1982. Just two years later Fry became a millionaire thanks to his rewrite of the musical "Me and My Girl" which also earned him a nomination for a Tony award. His career took off with a bang and throughout the 80's he worked in TV, radio and wrote a column in the Daily Telegraph. A familiar face without a doubt, probably better known for his parts in Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and now the voice of the Harry Potter movies narrator.
Friends of old
They say the best friends you make are at university. It seems to be the case for Fry and friends. At Cambridge Stephen was a member of the Cherubs drinking club, as well as a member of Footlights where he met Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery, Martin Bergmann, and Hugh Laurie. It was Emma Thompson who introduced Fry to Laurie and the pair embarked on a fruitful friendship and writing partnership in 1981. Their work made them a name at May Week, at the Edinburgh Festival, and even took them on a three month tour of Australia. The cooperation continued well into their careers and most notably with Jeeves and Wooster.
Room 101
Room 101 sometimes holds a few surprises in store. When Stephen Fry visited we discovered what he just can't stand. The comic genius with an academic side admits his pet hates are Microsoft, New Age gear, novelty plates and "late-night review shows on which self-appointed experts pontificate pompously". You'd be hard pushed to find someone to disagree with him on those!
No more news for you
Stephen used to be a regular guest on the BBC quiz "Have I Got News for You" from 1990 onwards. However he hasn't made an appearance since Angus Deayton lost his job as chair after being caught misbehaving with drugs and prostitutes. Fry is allegedly refusing to appear on the show as a protest against the sacking of the former host!
Terence Higgins Trust
Stephen has long been a supporter of the Terence Higgins Trust. The charity is the leading HIV and AIDS charity in the UK and the largest in Europe. One of the first of its kind, the trust was set up in 1982 to respond to the HIV epidemic by friends of Terry Higgins. He was one of the first people in the UK to die with AIDS and his loved ones set up the trust in an attempt to personalise and humanise AIDS.
Did you know?
Stephen Fry resides in SW1 and Norfolk.
Emma Thompson said in Tatler that he was "90 percent gay, 10 percent other!"
Stephen is a keen internet user, a cricket fan, and a teddy bear collector. He also flies his own biplane.
He is the rector of Dundee University yet, he holds the record for saying the 'f-word' the most times live on television in the UK.
Your Comments
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LaurieP66932
wrote on 25 Nov 2010 at 01:48 AM
Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio. Stephen reads for the audio book versions.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Something to say? Add a comment...
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