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Lenny Henry
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Lenny Henry Biography
Topics:
- Comedy
Lenworth George Henry CBE (born 29 August 1958), better known as Lenny Henry, is an English entertainer born in Dudley, Worcestershire.
New Faces
His earliest television appearance was on the New Faces talent show in 1975 where he repeatedly won. The following year he appeared in LWT's sitcom The Fosters alongside Norman Beaton, Britain's first comedy series with predominantly black performers. His formative years were in working men's clubs.
Tiswas
He co-hosted the children's programme Tiswas from 1978 until 1981, and subsequently performed and wrote for the show Three of a Kind, with comedians Tracey Ullman and David Copperfield. Around this time, he met his future wife, Dawn French, who encouraged him to move over to the fledgling alternative comedy scene, where he established a career as a stand-up comedy performer and character comedian.
Henry's television work started principally with his own self-titled show, which has appeared in variant forms ever since.
In the early 1990s, Henry was lured to Hollywood to star in the film True Identity, and starred in a BBC drama along side Robbie Coltrane called Alive and Kicking.
Henry is perhaps best known to modern audiences as the choleric chef Gareth Blackstock from the 1990s television comedy series Chef!, or from his 1999 straight-acting lead role in the BBC drama Hope And Glory.
In 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the fifty funniest acts in British comedy.
Comic Relief
Henry is also one of the celebrities most associated with the British Comic Relief charity organisation, along with his wife, well-known comedienne Dawn French, and Griff Rhys Jones, and has hosted the show and also presented filmed reports from overseas on the work of the charity. He was the voice of the British speaking clock for two weeks in aid of Comic Relief.
For further information or to book Lenny Henry, please call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Lenny Henry Video
Lenny Henry Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Lenny Henry. For more information on Lenny Henry please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Lenny Henry has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Lenny Henry then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Lenny Henry Books
Lenny Henry in Othello (BBC Audio)Price: £12.99
Jack and the Beanstalk and Other Stories (BBC Childrens Audio)Price: £5.99
The Lenny Henry Well-hard PaperbackPrice: £4.99
Lenny Henry DVDs
Lenny Henry - Live - So Much Things To Say [DVD]Price: £19.99
Chef - Complete Box Set [DVD]Price: £29.99
Hope And Glory - Complete Series 1, 2 And 3 [DVD]Price: £39.99
Lenny Henry Music
Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf with Lenny Henry.Price: £9.99
Have You Seen This Man? - Live at Abbey RoadPrice: £15.99
Other Lenny Henry Products
Lenny Henry News
A selection of relevant news related to Lenny Henry and Comedy stories. For more information on Lenny Henry or details as to how to book Lenny Henry for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Comedian Lenny Henry nominated for stage newcomer award
11th November 2009Lenny Henry has been nominated for a London Evening Standard Theatre award for outstanding newcomer. Lenny has drawn acclaim for his portrayal of Othello in the Northern Broadsides production at Trafalgar Studios, earning a nomination for his theatre acting debut. At the age of 51, the comic finds himself competing against performers half his age, including 17-year-old Ben Powley, nominated for his performance in Polly Stenham's Tusk Tusk.
11th November 2009Lenny Henry has been nominated for a London Evening Standard Theatre award for outstanding newcomer. Lenny has drawn acclaim for his portrayal of Othello in the Northern Broadsides production at Trafalgar Studios, earning a nomination for his theatre acting debut. At the age of 51, the comic finds himself competing against performers half his age, including 17-year-old Ben Powley, nominated for his performance in Polly Stenham's Tusk Tusk.
Jonathan Ross hosted the British Comedy Awards 2009, presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Terry Wogan
15th December 2009Jonathan Ross once again hosted the British Comedy Awards 2009 on Saturday night. Terry Wogan received a standing ovation when he was presented with The Lifetime Achievement award and Outnumbered staring Hugh Dennis & Claire Skinner won 3 awards including best comedy sitcom. Other winners included Harry Hill and Michael McIntyre, and Peter Kay received an Outstanding Contribution to Comedy award
15th December 2009Jonathan Ross once again hosted the British Comedy Awards 2009 on Saturday night. Terry Wogan received a standing ovation when he was presented with The Lifetime Achievement award and Outnumbered staring Hugh Dennis & Claire Skinner won 3 awards including best comedy sitcom. Other winners included Harry Hill and Michael McIntyre, and Peter Kay received an Outstanding Contribution to Comedy award
Outnumbered picks up 5 nominations for the British Comedy Awards
18th November 2009Jonathan Ross is returning to host this year's British Comedy Awards, with BBC Comedy Outnumbered picking up 5 nominations. All three of the show's child stars are up for an award, as well as Claire Skinner who plays the mother in the family comedy. Alan Carr and Michael McIntyre also have high hopes for awards with three nominations apiece.
18th November 2009Jonathan Ross is returning to host this year's British Comedy Awards, with BBC Comedy Outnumbered picking up 5 nominations. All three of the show's child stars are up for an award, as well as Claire Skinner who plays the mother in the family comedy. Alan Carr and Michael McIntyre also have high hopes for awards with three nominations apiece.
Alan Carr wins British Comedy Award
10th December 2008Alan Carr won the award for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality of 2008 at the British Comedy Awards. The British Comedy Awards regularly attract of audiences of around ten million, and was hosted this year by Angus Deayton.
10th December 2008Alan Carr won the award for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality of 2008 at the British Comedy Awards. The British Comedy Awards regularly attract of audiences of around ten million, and was hosted this year by Angus Deayton.
Graham Norton to take over the Friday Night with Jonathan Ross slot
1st September 2010The BBC One controller, Jay Hunt has confirmed that Graham Norton's chat show will switch to friday nights in October to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
1st September 2010The BBC One controller, Jay Hunt has confirmed that Graham Norton's chat show will switch to friday nights in October to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
The Reading Comedy Festival gets underway weekend, with performances from Jimmy Carr & Rhod Gilbert
2nd October 2009The 6th annual Reading Comedy Festival has once again attracted a host of big name comedians as well as some up and coming acts to produce an impressive two week line up. Jimmy Carr and Rhod Gilbert's dates have sold out. Other big names at the festival include Tim Minchin, Simon Amstell, Andy Parson, and Alastair McGowan. The event closes not with a headliner but with Reading’s hugely popular open mic contest, where the stars of tomorrow will get their moment in the spotlight – but only one of them will be crowned Reading’s best new comic.
2nd October 2009The 6th annual Reading Comedy Festival has once again attracted a host of big name comedians as well as some up and coming acts to produce an impressive two week line up. Jimmy Carr and Rhod Gilbert's dates have sold out. Other big names at the festival include Tim Minchin, Simon Amstell, Andy Parson, and Alastair McGowan. The event closes not with a headliner but with Reading’s hugely popular open mic contest, where the stars of tomorrow will get their moment in the spotlight – but only one of them will be crowned Reading’s best new comic.
Triumphant night for 'Gavin and Stacey' at comedy awards
6th December 2007The simple premise of boy meets girl resulted in three prestigious British Comedy Awards last night.
6th December 2007The simple premise of boy meets girl resulted in three prestigious British Comedy Awards last night.
Third Time Lucky for Comedy Award Winner Russell Kane
31st August 2010It is the third successive nomination for Russell Kane and he has finally been awarded the Fosters Edinburgh award for Best Comedy Show at the Fringe. Bo Burnham received the prestigious Panel Prize and Best Newcomer went to Roisin Conaty.
31st August 2010It is the third successive nomination for Russell Kane and he has finally been awarded the Fosters Edinburgh award for Best Comedy Show at the Fringe. Bo Burnham received the prestigious Panel Prize and Best Newcomer went to Roisin Conaty.
Best Comedy Show nominations have been announced at The Fringe
26th August 2010The stars Greg Davies and Russell Kane have been joined by the rising talent Bo Burnham in nominations for Best Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
26th August 2010The stars Greg Davies and Russell Kane have been joined by the rising talent Bo Burnham in nominations for Best Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
Tim Vine Wins Best Joke Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
23rd August 2010Comedian Tim Vine beat the likes of John Bishop and Jack Whitehall to win the best joke award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, so what did he say?
23rd August 2010Comedian Tim Vine beat the likes of John Bishop and Jack Whitehall to win the best joke award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, so what did he say?
Lenny Henry Reviews
Lenny Henry has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Lenny Henry for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Lenny Henry for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
"The overall feedback has been very positive indeed and I must admit that I have never seen the Networkshop audience quite so enlivened at a Conference Dinner!...His musical session with Ken on the Guitar was great fun ...! We loved the JANET community renaming The JANETERS. A real gem and one that has caught on since, I think. How do we follow Lenny Henry next year for this event?!"
"Just a note to let you know how absolutely thrilled we all were with your wonderful performance at our conference this week. It really got us off to a fantastic start, setting the tone for the whole event and putting us all on a high that we really havent come down from yet! And how you managed to get so many laughs out of the briefing we sent you, well never know! Everyone has told me how brilliant they thought you were.... Thanks for making our conference a great one, Lenny."
"I absolutely loved Lenny Henry. I think he was fantastic! He definitely made the conference fun, and presented very well indeed!"
If you are interested in booking Lenny Henry for your live event or require any additional information regarding Lenny Henry then please fill in the enquiry form below and one of the Speakers Corner booking agents will contact you within 24 hours.
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News
2nd September 2010
Michael Douglas shared his struggle on The Late Show with David Letterman yesterday and keynote speakers including Lance Armstrong and Martina Navratilova have been open to sharing their own experiences and stories of hope.
1st September 2010
The BBC One controller, Jay Hunt has confirmed that Graham Norton's chat show will switch to friday nights in October to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
