Stephen Fry

Stephen John Fry (born 24 August, 1957) is a British comedian, author, actor, and director. He is the son of Alan and Marianne Fry.

Trivia

• The Stars' Tennis Balls major characters all have names that are anagrams or other simple mutations of their counterparts in The Count of Monte Cristo:

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• As well as having competed on University Challenge whilst at Cambridge, he also appeared in The Young Ones as "Lord Snot", one of the "Footlights College" team against whom The Young Ones are competing in a fictitious edition of University Challenge. He later appeared in a Comic Relief edition of University Challenge as part of the "Gownies" team of University-graduate comedians, against the (victorious) team of "Townies"; and in another Comic Relief special two years later as part of the South team who beat the North.
• He used to be a regular panellist on Have I Got News For You, but now refuses to appear on the show as a protest against the sacking of Angus Deayton.
• In 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.
• While still at boarding school, Fry absconded with a stolen credit card and, when apprehended, spent three months in prison for fraud.
• In 2005, Fry was made an honorary fellow of Queens' College, Cambridge, from which he graduated.
• Fry often expresses admiration for three other authors; Anthony Buckeridge, Douglas Adams, and P.G. Wodehouse. Their influence is noticeable in his writing style. He has appeared as Jeeves in television adaptations of Wodehouse's writings, as The Guide in the film adaptation of Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and has read Buckeridge's Jennings stories for Radio 4.
• Fry was the last ever person awarded the title of Pipe Smoker of the Year before the awards discontinuation for legal reasons.
• He has spoken about his struggle to keep his homosexuality secret during his teen years at public school.
• He has paid a high price for his celebrity, his mental wellbeing becoming the stuff of public speculation.