28. Sir Stephen Fry
Britain’s Great Polymath
Stephen Fry is a true national treasure: actor, writer, comedian, presenter, and cultural ambassador. Born in 1957 in Hampstead, London, Fry’s early life was turbulent, marked by struggles with mental health and brushes with the law. Yet out of those challenges grew a dazzling career that has touched almost every corner of British culture.
Fry first found fame in the 1980s alongside Hugh Laurie, with A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. His wit, intelligence, and effortless charm soon established him as one of the country’s favourite comic talents. But his range extends far beyond comedy. As an actor, he has excelled in films such as Wilde and Gosford Park, and as a presenter he became the much-loved host of QI, where his warmth and encyclopaedic knowledge enchanted audiences for over a decade.
Beyond the screen, Fry is a prolific author, with novels, memoirs, and works of non-fiction showcasing his literary flair. He is also one of Britain’s most eloquent public speakers, capable of making complex subjects — from classical mythology to artificial intelligence — both entertaining and accessible.
Equally significant has been his role as an advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. Fry has spoken with candour about his own experiences, helping to destigmatise difficult conversations and inspiring countless people with his honesty.
Knighted in 2023, Sir Stephen Fry embodies the idea of the public intellectual as entertainer: brilliant, humane, and endlessly curious. He is a figure Britain is proud to call its own.
