Sir Lenny Henry is a prominent British comedian, writer, and award-winning actor. He began his career at 16, gaining fame as a comedy impressionist on a 1970s talent show. Lenny has since appeared in numerous television programmes and has sold out live stand-up tours across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. His work has earned him several awards, including the Monaco Red Cross and The Golden Nymph Award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival, the BBC Personality of the Year from the Radio & Television Industry Club, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards.
In 2009, Lenny made his West End debut as Othello in a Northern Broadsides production, receiving critical acclaim and the London Evening Standard’s Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer. He has also been praised for roles in The Comedy of Errors and Fences. Recently, he has appeared in dramas such as The Syndicate, The Long Song, and Broadchurch, and he features in the Amazon Prime series The Rings of Power, which began streaming in September 2022.
Lenny was knighted in 2015 for his charity and drama services. The following year, he received a fellowship from the Royal Television Society and a Judge's Award for promoting diversity in television. He was also honoured with the Alan Clarke Special Award at the 2016 BAFTA Awards for his creative contributions.
Lenny is well-known for co-founding Comic Relief with Richard Curtis in 1985 and strongly advocates for diversity in the arts. In 2018, he completed a course at Royal Holloway University of London and was awarded a PhD in Media Arts. His extensive experience and engaging presence make him a sought-after performer for corporate events.
