Stephen Fry 'extraordinarily grateful for life' after being 'mocked in school'
Speaking at Newport Beach Film Festival just a few months ago, Fry took to the stage and spoke about his past in a rare public appearance.
The star-studded event at Raffles at The OWO celebrated the best and brightest of the UK and Ireland's creative industries.
Final ep #WhatIBelieve out now with none other than Stephen Fry! From the uncomfortable truth of AI to the peril of being 'right' over being 'effective', it's a fascinating 40mins covering his beliefs/values. Here he is discussing the dichotomy of humanity https://t.co/YLHSmOfyse pic.twitter.com/kCDRxgyDMx
— Humanists UK (@Humanists_UK) July 17, 2025
The prestigious Icon Award was presented to Fry in recognition of his remarkable contribution across a varied career spanning more than 25 years.
Speaking on stage, he said: 'I have every reason to be extraordinarily grateful for my life. I grew up as someone who was pretty much hopeless at everything; I couldn't sing, I couldn't catch a ball.
"I was one of those rather unfortunate uncoordinated children who would clap their hands when it came towards them – I was mocked in school for not being able to dance, to play music, to draw, to paint. But I discovered I loved telling stories.'
Reflecting upon his time at Uppingham boys' boarding school in Rutland, he would tell stories after 'lights out', which ignited his passion for performing.
'I would […] play with words and language, and to my enormous surprise this one thing we all share – the ability to speak to each other, the ability to make up stories – is not as grand as being able to run fast, catch, jump, or paint or draw, or play music, because we can all do it.
"It is that very fact that we can all do it that makes it so extraordinarily wonderful; when actors get together, tell stories, become other people and entertain the world.
Recommended reading:
Nationwide customers angry at 'controversial' decision - 'They have no say'
John Torode and Gregg Wallace 'off with each other' and 'were never friends'
Do you have to pay council tax on a caravan? Rules and regulations explained
'I have learnt everything in the past 45 years since I was let loose [in the world of acting] and I've had nothing but the most extraordinary pleasure working with incredible people, people who are so fascinating and interesting.
"I spend a great deal of time not in the trailer because I love talking to crew people, and craftspeople, and technicians, and fellow actors, gossiping and laughing. It is the greatest privilege in the world.
'[Playwright] Noel Coward had a sign above his desk that said 'work is more fun than fun', and if you are lucky enough to find work is more fun than fun, then really you have drawn first prize in the lottery of life.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gizmodo
28 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
The Spice Girls and Wu-Tang Clan Almost Had Their Own Anime
Now, here's a sentence no one expected to read in the year 2025: Once upon a time, we might have gotten to see the Spice Girls and the Wu-Tang Clan in anime form. In a recent interview with AnimEigo, Lawrence Guinness, a senior VP at Manga Entertainment, distributor of anime such as Perfect Blue and Street Fighter Alpha (and subsidiary of Island Records), revealed the company considered co-producing its own works. Two projects he mentioned would have starred the aforementioned bands, and the Spice Girls idea got far enough along that he had some production stills to show. Had it happened, it'd have been a film called Girl Power: The Anime, courtesy of Production I.G, the studio behind Ghost in the Shell. According to Guinness, Manga had 'very advanced talks' with the British pop group's management at the time this was pitched and would've hopefully appealed to fans of then-popular anime like Studio Ghibli. Even now, Guinness is confident teenage girls 'might've gone to the cinema to see this. In fact, I think you would've stood in a line for a long time to get in to see this. This was the vision. Look, if that's not girl power in action, I don't know what is.' As for the never-realized Wu-Tang project, a series that would have been called The Imperial Warrior, he claimed near everything was in place for the project, except some of the hip-hop group's members didn't sign off on it. His pitch to Island Records founder Chris Blackwell saw Wu-Tang 'challenging the forces of evil through their music and martial arts skills.' The soundtrack and designs for the characters (he mentioned RZA and Ghostface Killah specifically) were 'great,' said Guinness, and it would've been 'revolutionary. That was the project I was proudest of that never happened.' Over the decades, Japanese creators have been open about their love of western music, and artists like the late Prince and Aaliyah have inspired characters in Michiko & Hatchin and My Hero Academia. Making musicians or other celebrities into fictionalized versions of themselves for film and TV is another tale as old as time, and Guinness wanted these two projects to take off to both put Manga on the map and successfully 'synthesize anime with the best of western culture.' When it comes to Wu-Tang Clan, he's sort of gotten his wish, thanks to RZA's involvement in Afro Samurai and developer Brass Lion Entertainment's upcoming action game Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver. As for the Spice Girls, it's a shame they never got their animated due—there are worse ways for a band to be memorialized than an anime movie with some original songs and cheesy action that still holds up years after the fact. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How Tom Cruise & Ana de Armas' Relationship Is Reminding Fans of His Brief Romance With Sofía Vergara
Tom Cruise may have a new love interest — but longtime observers are getting déjà vu. The 63-year-old actor touched down in London this week with Ana de Armas, 37, arriving via private helicopter with her two dogs and former F1 driver David Coulthard in tow. While neither star has confirmed a romance, the jet-setting, the grins, and the lavish gestures are starting to look familiar. Cruise kept it casual in a navy T-shirt and jeans, waving enthusiastically as Ana followed behind in a Vermont sweatshirt and leggings, cradling her Maltese Elvis. Havanese pup Salsa trotted beside her. It looked like a cozy couple moment — and if you ask the internet, maybe something more. More from SheKnows Pamela Anderson & Liam Neeson Can't Keep Their Hands off Each Other - And Fans Are Losing It 'Tom has been showering Ana with gifts ever since they met,' a source told Daily Mail. 'It's his thing, he is thoughtful.' The gifts reportedly began with flowers and books — the latter of which has raised some eyebrows — then escalated to gold bracelets, designer clothes, and globe-hopping getaways. 'Probably the biggest gift he has given her is being able to go anywhere in the world at a moment's notice,' the insider added. 'She loves to travel.' Sound familiar? Cruise pulled the same moves with Sofía Vergara back in 2005, calling her constantly and sending flowers and chocolates after they met at a pre-Oscar party. According to reports, she was briefly dazzled — until she realized she was being 'auditioned' for a role that came with a conversion clause. The romance fizzled when she refused to leave her Catholic faith for Scientology. Cruise reportedly attempted to rekindle the romance back in 2023 with no luck. Cruise's reputation for orchestrated courtship isn't new. Between the Vergara chapter and the much-publicized relationship with Katie Holmes (who allegedly filed for divorce to protect daughter Suri from the Church), Cruise has kept his personal life meticulously private — but often telling in pattern. The Mission Impossible star and de Armas have known each other since Wasp Network in 2019 and are now filming Deeper, a supernatural thriller directed by Doug Liman. 'It's so much fun, and we're definitely working on a lot of things,' the Knives Out star teased in a May Good Morning America interview. 'Not just one but a few projects with Doug Liman and Christopher McQuarrie and, of course, Tom. And I'm so excited.' Are they just colleagues? Longtime friends? Or is Cruise, once again, trying to script something more? One thing's clear: the gifts are back. And fans who've seen this before are already predicting how the third act might play of SheKnows Actors Who You Forgot Have Impressive Singing Careers Too All About Conor Kennedy, RFK Jr.'s Private Son Who Was Once Linked to Taylor Swift 16 Times the Celebrity Death Rule of Threes Actually Happened Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bill Gates' daughter Jennifer stuns in wedding guest dress at Steve Jobs' daughter's $6.7M nuptials
Jennifer Gates made a show-stopping appearance wearing a striking pink dress at the lavish wedding of Eve Jobs over the weekend. The 27-year-old daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was among the glamorous guests at the extravagant ceremony held in the Cotswolds, celebrating Eve's marriage to musician Harry Charles. You may also like Steve Jobs' daughter Eve marries Olympian Harry Charles after entering church via 'secret door' Meet Eve Jobs' British Olympian fiancé Harry Charles Jennifer chose the elegant 'Nubria' ruched glossed-jersey maxi dress from the luxury fashion brand 16ARLINGTON. The sleek gown featured a vibrant deep fuchsia colour, accentuating Jennifer's complexion perfectly. Details of Jennifer's stunning dress The stunning design by 16ARLINGTON has proved to be hugely popular with fashion lovers, previously available from online retailers such as SSENSE and Lyst. Jennifer kept her accessories simple, letting the bold fuchsia colour take centre stage. She paired the dress with gold-coloured high-heeled sandals and a matching clutch bag, which seems to be from Bottega Veneta. Jennifer was also holding a white shawl, which completed the look perfectly. Her dress's vibrant shade of fuchsia ensured she turned heads at the wedding, perfectly complementing the stylish, romantic setting of Eve and Harry's nuptials. Inside Eve Jobs' extravagant $6.7M wedding Eve, the 26-year-old daughter of late Apple founder Steve Jobs, tied the knot with musician Harry Charles in an extravagant ceremony reportedly costing around $6.7 million. The luxurious event took place at a private estate in the picturesque Cotswolds, surrounded by family, friends, and high-profile guests. The wedding celebrations lasted several days, featuring elegant floral arrangements, live performances, and sumptuous dinners. Eve herself looked breathtaking in a bespoke wedding gown, making her big day an event to remember. Jennifer, a longtime friend of Eve's, was one of several celebrity guests who attended the high-profile ceremony. Her attendance highlights the long-standing friendship between the daughters of two iconic tech industry leaders, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Jennifer Gates' high-profile appearances Jennifer, who married equestrian Nayel Nassar in a similarly lavish ceremony in 2021, is no stranger to glamorous weddings. Her own nuptials took place at her stunning horse farm in Westchester County, New York, featuring an elegant Vera Wang dress. Since her wedding, Jennifer has frequently wowed fans with her stylish wardrobe choices, showcasing her fashion-forward sense at numerous high-profile events. Her recent appearance at Eve's wedding continues her trend of effortlessly elegant dressing, reflecting her status as a rising style icon. Jennifer's close friendship with Eve Jobs Jennifer and Eve have been friends for many years, bonding over shared experiences as daughters of two tech giants. Both women have established impressive individual careers, with Jennifer recently graduating from medical school and Eve carving out her name in the modelling world. Their close friendship often sees the duo supporting each other's milestones, from graduations to weddings and professional achievements. Jennifer's stunning appearance at Eve's wedding underscores the close bond between the two friends and their mutual support through significant life moments.
