Lenny Henry

Sir Lenny Henry is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer and philanthropist whose exceptional versatility has commanded British stages and screens for over five decades. Co-founder of Comic Relief, which has raised over £1 billion for charitable causes, he holds a knighthood for services to drama and charity, a PhD in Media Arts, and numerous honours including a BAFTA Special Award. His recent work spans major international productions such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and acclaimed stage performances including August in England at The Bush Theatre. His 2026 UK tour, Still At Large, marks his first major nationwide stand-up return in 17 years. Audiences experience his rare ability to entertain whilst inspiring meaningful conversations about creativity, inclusion and social change, delivered with the warmth and authenticity that have made him a household name.

At 16 years old, Lenny Henry won a television talent competition that launched one of British entertainment's most enduring and versatile careers. From those early days as a comedy impressionist, he has commanded stages across television, theatre and film for over five decades, earning recognition as a performer, writer, philanthropist and award-winning dramatic actor. His recent screen work spans major international productions including The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Witcher: Blood Origin, alongside powerful dramatic roles in Broadchurch and The Syndicate. On stage, he has delivered acclaimed performances in The Comedy of Errors at The National, Fences at the Duchess Theatre, and August in England at The Bush Theatre. His 2026 UK tour, Still At Large, marks his first major nationwide stand-up tour in 17 years, blending stand-up with storytelling and conversation as he traces the roles, characters and moments that have defined his remarkable journey whilst exploring the ideas and creativity driving him today.

As co-founder of Comic Relief with Richard Curtis in 1985, Lenny has helped raise over £1 billion for charitable causes whilst becoming the public face of a movement that changed how Britain engages with philanthropy. His commitment to diversity and representation in the arts has driven tangible industry change through founding the Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University, authoring books on race and representation, and co-hosting the Black British Lives Matter podcast. Knighted in 2015 for services to drama and charity, he holds a PhD in Media Arts from Royal Holloway University of London and has received numerous honours including the BAFTA Special Award, a Royal Television Society fellowship, and the South Bank Sky Arts Outstanding Achievement prize. His drama production company Esmerelda, established with support from Banijay, furthers his influence as a creator and storyteller. His 2023 ITV drama Three Little Birds, inspired by his mother's journey to Britain, received widespread critical acclaim, whilst his Faber-published memoirs Who Am I Again? and Rising To The Surface offer raw, touching reflections on his life and career.

Lenny's writing extends across formats, from his acclaimed memoirs to a popular series of children's books with Pan Macmillan, including The Book of Legends and The Boy with Wings, which was selected as a World Book Day book in 2023. For corporate events, he offers exceptional stage presence, authenticity and the rare ability to entertain whilst inspiring meaningful conversation about inclusion, creativity and social change. His performances are tailored, professionally crafted and delivered with the warmth and energy that have made him a household name. Audiences leave not only entertained but motivated by his commitment to using storytelling as a force for positive transformation, experiencing first-hand why his career continues to evolve and inspire after five decades in the spotlight.