SIR Lenny Henry has been given the Freedom of the City of London to celebrate an incredible 50-year acting career.
The entertainer, 66, was awarded the top gong in recognition of his significant contribution to the entertainment industry and charitable fundraising.
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As a co-founder of Comic Relief, he’s helped raise £1.5billion for the charity, which launched in 1985.
Sir Lenny attended his ceremony at Guildhall today, joined by family members and friends, after being nominated by Lord Mayor Alastair King.
Speaking after his ceremony, he said: “How cool to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London, and to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Giles Terera, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and Damian Lewis.
“I am very proud that the Freedom recognises my work on Comic Relief, which has raised £1.5 billion and had a positive impact on so many people’s lives.”
Sir Lenny has been a performer since the age of 16 – from appearing on children’s television to becoming one of Britain’s best-known comedians, as well as a writer and award-winning actor.
His stage acting credits include the lead role in Northern Broadsides 2009 production of Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and London’s West End, The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre, Fences at the Duchess Theatre, August in England at the Bush Theatre, and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Donmar Warehouse.
Meanwhile he most recently starred in Harlan Coben’s Missing You – as well as roles in TV shows’ Broadchurch, The Syndicate, The Long Song, The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power, and the biographic film, Danny and The Human Zoo.
In 2015, Sir Lenny was awarded a knighthood in 2015 for services to drama and charity, made a fellow of the Royal Television Society in 2016, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th National Television Awards in 2022.
He has also published two volumes of memoirs, ‘Who Am I Again?’ and ‘Rising to the Surface’, two books on diversity, and a series of children’s books.
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Recent high profile recipients include multi-award-winning ‘Hamilton’ actor and musician, Giles Terera; leading vascular and trauma surgeon, Professor David Nott; Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold- and Silver-medal winning athlete, Lady Mary Peters; and the world’s most prolific producer of musicals in theatre history, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Commenting on his latest achievement, Lord Mayor of London Alastair King said: “There are few entertainers around today who are as popular and instantly recognisable as Sir Lenny, and it is an absolute pleasure to support his nomination.
“Throughout his career, Sir Lenny has used his many talents to shine a spotlight on important issues like racial inequality and poverty, helping to change countless lives through Comic Relief. His Freedom is richly deserved.”
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