Stephen Fry's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Stephen Fry.

Sir Stephen Fry is a multifaceted English personality, notable as an actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator, and writer. He gained recognition through the comedy duo Fry and Laurie, starring in shows like 'A Bit of Fry & Laurie' and 'Jeeves and Wooster.' He also appeared in 'Alfresco' and 'Blackadder.' Beyond entertainment, Fry is actively involved in mental health advocacy, serving as president of Mind since 2011. His contributions to mental health awareness, environmental causes, and charity were recognized with a knighthood in 2025.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1987: Tony Award Nomination for Me and My Girl

In 1987, Stephen Fry received a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical for Me and My Girl.

Loading Video...

1995: Honorary Degree from the University of Dundee

In 1995, Stephen Fry was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D. h.c.) by the University of Dundee, which named their main Students' Association bar after his novel The Liar. He also served as Rector of the University of Dundee.

1997: Played Oscar Wilde in Wilde

In 1997, Fry portrayed his idol Oscar Wilde in the film Wilde, earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Drama.

Loading Video...

1998: Golden Globe Nomination for Wilde

In 1998, Stephen Fry earned a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for his performance as Oscar Wilde in Wilde.

Loading Video...

1999: Honorary Doctorate from the University of East Anglia

In 1999, Stephen Fry was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Letters (D.Litt. h.c.) by the University of East Anglia.

2001: Screen Actors Guild Award for Gosford Park

In 2001, Stephen Fry won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture along with the ensemble of the Robert Altman directed murder mystery Gosford Park.

Loading Video...

2003: Pipe Smoker of the Year

In 2003, Stephen Fry was the last person to be named Pipe Smoker of the Year before the award was discontinued.

2004: AoC Gold Award

In 2004, Stephen Fry was awarded the AoC Gold Award and was entered into their Hall of Fame.

2005: Honorary Degree from Anglia Ruskin University

In 2005, Stephen Fry was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (D.Univ. h.c.) from Anglia Ruskin University.

December 2006: Ranked Sixth in BBC's Top Living Icon Award

In December 2006, Stephen Fry was ranked sixth for the BBC's Top Living Icon Award and voted Most Intelligent Man on Television by readers of Radio Times.

2006: Won Rose d'Or Award for QI

In 2006, Fry won the Rose d'Or award for "Best Game Show Host" for his work on the television series QI.

Loading Video...

2006: Starred in The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive and Who Do You Think You Are?

In 2006, Fry's documentary Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive won an Emmy Award, and he appeared on the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, tracing his maternal family tree.

Loading Video...

May 2007: Second Most Influential Gay Person in Britain

In May 2007, The Independent on Sunday Pink List named Stephen Fry the second most influential gay person in Britain.

December 2007: Lifetime Achievement Award at British Comedy Awards

On 5 December 2007, Stephen Fry was granted a lifetime achievement award at the British Comedy Awards.

2008: Voiced Reaver in Fable II and Narrated More About Paddington

In 2008, Fry voiced Reaver in the video game Fable II and his narration for More About Paddington won the Audie Award for Young Listeners' Title.

Paddington Classic Adventures Box Set: A Bear Called Paddington, More About Paddington, Paddington Helps Out

Check it on Amazon

January 2010: Special Recognition Award at National Television Awards

On 20 January 2010, Stephen Fry received the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards.

July 2010: Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University

On 13 July 2010, Stephen Fry was made an honorary fellow of Cardiff University.

2010: Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association

In 2010, Stephen Fry was made a Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association and joined 54 other public figures in signing an open letter opposing Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom being a state visit.

January 2011: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sussex

On 28 January 2011, Stephen Fry was made an honorary Doctor of the University (D.Univ. h.c.) by the University of Sussex, in recognition for his work campaigning for people suffering from mental health problems, bipolar disorder and HIV.

February 2011: Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism

In February 2011, Stephen Fry was awarded the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University, the Harvard Secular Society and the American Humanist Association.

October 2012: Honorary Life Membership of the Union of UEA Students

On 18 October 2012, Stephen Fry was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Union of UEA Students in recognition of his public support for LGBT+ rights.

March 2014: Best Presenter Award at Royal Television Society Programme Awards

In March 2014, Stephen Fry won the Best Presenter award at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards for his BBC2 programme Stephen Fry: Out There.

Loading Video...

2014: Tony Award Nomination for Twelfth Night

In 2014, Stephen Fry received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Malvolio in the revival of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

December 2015: Membership of The Magic Circle

In December 2015, Stephen Fry was awarded membership of The Magic Circle in an episode of QI.

Loading Video...

2016: Pride Power list

In 2016, Stephen Fry was listed as number 2 on the Pride Power list.

2017: Pride Power list

In 2017, Stephen Fry was listed as number 12 on the Pride Power list.

2017: Bird Louse Named After Him

In 2017, the bird louse Saepocephalum stephenfryii was named after Stephen Fry in honor of his contributions to the popularization of science as host of QI.

2021: Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix

In 2021, Stephen Fry was appointed a Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix by Greek president Katerina Sakellaropoulou for enhancing knowledge about Greece and reinforcing ties between Greece and the United Kingdom.