Stephen Fry
ActorComedian
WriterUnited Kingdom
Stephen Fry is a British actor, comedian and writer whose career has spanned television, film, literature and documentary work. He is particularly known for his work in Blackadder, A Bit of Fry & Laurie, Jeeves and Wooster and QI, as well as for his books and documentaries.
Career and work
Fry began performing with the Cambridge Footlights while studying at the University of Cambridge, where he met Hugh Laurie. The two later formed the comedy partnership Fry and Laurie, co-writing and starring in A Bit of Fry & Laurie and appearing together in Jeeves and Wooster. [6]
His acting work has included Blackadder, the film Wilde, V for Vendetta, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Hobbit films and It’s a Sin. He also hosted the BBC quiz show QI for many years and has written and presented numerous documentaries. [6]
Fry has also had a substantial writing career. His books include the novels The Liar, The Hippopotamus, Making History and The Stars’ Tennis Balls, several autobiographical works, and his retellings of Greek mythology, including Mythos, Heroes and Troy. [6]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
The GuardianStephen Fry: my long battle with manic depression Covers Fry’s diagnosis at 37, his 1995 crisis and suicide attempt, and his account of living with extreme changes in mood.
The GuardianStephen Fry: recent attempted suicide a ‘close-run thing’ Supports Fry’s descriptions of elevated periods involving little sleep, increased energy, grandiosity, constant talking and shopping, as well as severe depression and his 2012 suicide attempt.
BBC documentary transcriptThe Not So Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years On Provides Fry’s discussion of treatment and management in the 2016 follow-up to his original documentary.
Documentary transcript
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The IndependentStephen Fry says ‘stability of marriage’ helped him manage bipolar disorder Supports Fry’s more recent description of bipolar disorder as a chronic condition and his comments about feeling calmer and happier during a relatively stable period.
MindCelebrity support and our president Documents Fry’s role as president of Mind since 2011 and his work raising awareness and challenging stigma around mental illness.
University of Cambridge AlumniStephen Fry Kt Provides biographical and career information, including Fry and Laurie, Blackadder, QI, his acting work, documentaries and books.
BiographyBig ThinkBig Think Interview With Stephen Fry Contains Fry’s description of learning to “treat my moods like the weather,” used for the profile’s quotation.
InterviewStephen FryMind OutEssay
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Recommended books and other resources about Stephen Fry and their experiences.
- Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic DepressiveDocumentary · BBC, 2006
A two-part documentary in which Fry examines bipolar disorder through his own experience and conversations with other people living with the condition.
- The Not So Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years OnDocumentary · BBC, 2016
Fry revisits bipolar disorder a decade after the original documentary, including changes in his diagnosis, treatment and understanding of the condition.
- Mind OutEssay · Stephen Fry
A personal essay in which Fry reflects on mental illness, suicidal thinking, stigma and his decision to speak publicly about his experiences.
- Stephen Fry opens up on his mental health and bipolar battleInterview · Today Show Australia, 2021
A later interview in which Fry discusses living with bipolar disorder and his mental health over time.
- Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”Interview · The Diary of a CEO, 2022
A long-form interview with Steven Bartlett covering Fry’s childhood, career, bipolar disorder, depression, suicidal experiences and how he has come to understand his mental health over time.
- Stephen Fry opens up about his bipolar disorderInterview · Larry King Now, 2016
Fry speaks with Larry King about living with bipolar disorder, his suicide attempts, and the complicated relationship some people have with both the depressive and elevated sides of the condition.