Sir Lenworth George Henry, CBE (born 29 August 1958), known as Lenny Henry, is an English stand-up comedian, actor, singer, writer, and television presenter, known for co-founding charity Comic Relief, and presenting various television programmes, including the comedy Chef!, and The Magicians for BBC One. He is currently the Chancellor of Birmingham City University.
Lenny Henry was born in Dudley, Worcestershire, on 29 August 1958, the son of Jamaican immigrants to Great Britain. One of seven children, he was the first to be born in the United Kingdom. He attended St John's Primary School and later The Blue Coat School in Dudley before completing his schooling at W.R. Tuson College in Preston, Lancashire.
Henry's first manager was Robert Luff, who signed him in 1975 and gave him the opportunity to perform as part of the Luff-produced touring stage version of The Black and White Minstrel Show. In July 2009, Lenny Henry stated he was contractually obliged to perform and regretted his part in the show.