Lenny Henry, also known as Sir Lenworth George Henry, is a highly acclaimed British comedian, actor, and writer with an impressive career that has lasted for many years.
He was born in 1958 in Dudley, West Midlands, and rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s for his exceptional skills as a stand-up comedian and impressionist.
REAL FACTS ABOUT LENNY HENRY
FULL NAME: Sir Lenworth George Henry
BETTER KNOWN AS: Lenny Henry
DATE OF BIRTH: 29, August 1958
PLACE OF BIRTH: Dudley, United Kingdom
NATIONALITY: British
OCCUPATION: Comedian and Actor
SPOUSE: Dawn French
MARITAL STATUS: Divorced
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Lenny Henry, was born in Dudley, United Kingdom on August 29, 1958, was brought up by his parents, Winston Jervis Henry and Winifred Louise Henry, alongside his brother, Paul Henry.
He pursued his education at the Open University and later enrolled at Royal Holloway, University of London. Lenny Henry identifies as Black and follows the Christian faith.
CAREER
Lenny Henry started his comedy career by performing in working men’s clubs, where he would imitate mainly white characters like Frank Spencer from the sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.
He made his television debut at the age of 16 by winning the talent show New Faces with his impersonations of Frank Spencer, Stevie Wonder, and others.
His first manager, Robert Luff, signed him in 1975 and gave him the opportunity to perform as a comedian in the touring stage adaptation of The Black and White Minstrel Show.
However, Henry later expressed regret for this decision, as it led to a deep depression.
In 1976, Henry made an appearance in the sitcom The Fosters, which was the first comedy series in Britain to have a predominantly Black cast.
During this period, he also made guest appearances on several other TV shows.
In 1980, Henry performed in Blackpool alongside comedians Cannon and Ball, and he considered this to be the first time his act received a positive response from the audience.
At around the same time, he co-hosted the children’s show Tiswas, where he portrayed different characters.
In 1984, Henry’s first TV sketch show, The Lenny Henry Show, premiered on the BBC.
The show included stand-up comedy, sketches, and many of the characters he had created. It continued to air periodically for the next 19 years in different formats.
PERSONAL LIFE
Lenny Henry and Dawn French, the famous British actress and comedian, got married in 1984, starting a long-lasting marriage.
However, despite their apparent compatibility and mutual love for their profession, they eventually decided to separate in 2010.
Before their separation, Henry and Dawn had a daughter named Billie Henry, which further strengthened their connection.
