Stephen Fry

Author:
Stephen Fry

Date of birth: 24-Aug-1957
Place of birth: Hampstead, London UK

About the author:
Sir Stephen Fry is a British author, actor, comedian, and broadcaster celebrated for his wit, intelligence, and versatility across literature, television, film, and stage. Born on August 24, 1957, in Hampstead, London, Fry was raised in Norfolk and educated at the prestigious Uppingham School before attending Queens’ College, Cambridge. There, he became involved in the Cambridge Footlights, launching his career in comedy and forming a long-lasting creative partnership with fellow student Hugh Laurie.

Fry gained national fame in the 1980s through the sketch comedy show A Bit of Fry & Laurie and the beloved television adaptation of Jeeves and Wooster, in which he played the impeccably composed valet Jeeves opposite Laurie’s bumbling Bertie Wooster. He also starred in the British comedy series Blackadder and the Oscar-nominated biopic Wilde (1997), where he gave a critically acclaimed performance as Oscar Wilde.

In addition to his acting career, Fry is a prolific writer. He has published several novels, including The Liar, Making History, and The Stars' Tennis Balls, as well as highly regarded autobiographies such as Moab Is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles, and More Fool Me. His nonfiction works reflect his intellectual curiosity and love of language, and he has also written modern retellings of Greek myths in Mythos, Heroes, and Troy, which have become bestsellers.

Fry is widely recognised for his eloquence, erudition, and advocacy on issues such as mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and free speech. Open about his struggles with bipolar disorder, Fry has been a vocal mental health advocate and presented the documentary Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, which won an Emmy Award in 2007.

From 2003 to 2016, he served as the host of the popular BBC quiz show QI (Quite Interesting), where his charm, humour, and encyclopaedic knowledge won him a devoted following. He has narrated the UK editions of the Harry Potter audiobooks, as well as numerous documentaries and nature series, praised for his warm, articulate voice. In recognition of his contributions to the arts and public discourse, Fry has received numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates, lifetime achievement awards, and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2018. He was knighted in 2025.

Stephen Fry remains one of Britain’s most beloved public figures—a polymath whose work across media has entertained, educated, and inspired audiences for decades.