Sir Lenny Henry’s career has spanned several decades, beginning in 1975 when he was just 16.
The 65-year-old went on to land his own comedy series and later appeared in a number of hit TV shows including BBC’s Doctor Who and ITV’s Broadchurch.
Over the course of career, he became the most prominent Black British comedian of his time and went on to receive a knighthood in 2015.
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The following year, he was awarded a BAFTA for his outstanding contribution to television.
In 2022, the actor was honoured at the National Television Awards, receiving the coveted gold Special Recognition Award to celebrate his nearly 50 years on screen.
One year on, Daily Star has looked into his life from his famous ex-wife to his staggering net worth.
Famous ex-wife
(Image: Getty Images)
Lenny met fellow comedian Dawn French in 1980 and they tied the knot four years later in Covent Garden.
After struggling to conceive, the couple adopted daughter Billie when she was two weeks old in 1991.
After 25 years of marriage, the pair announced their separation but insisted it was amicable and they would remain close friends.
The statement issued on behalf of the couple said: “The separation is entirely amicable and they fully intend to maintain their close friendship. Their priority is to commit to the future joint parenting of their daughter.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Later speaking about the split, Lenny said: “It is a strange job, showbiz, because you are in the public eye. You are in a goldfish bowl. We just got through it like every family does.
“We had a child and we just wanted to get through it and be normal and love her and be respectful to each other and just carry on. There was no secret to it.
“We got through it and we are raising our child and that is all there is to it really. Like everybody. Like normal people.”
Lenny found love again with theatre director Lisa Mackin and they have been dating since 2013.
Weight loss
(Image: Getty Images)
Lenny Henry has undergone a major transformation over the last few years, leaving him looking completely different when he accepted his NTA award in 2022.
He kickstarted his weight loss regime in 2014 after he was put on a strict died due to being a “little bit diabetic”.
In order to stay healthy, he made simple changes to his diet and fitness, cutting back on certain foods and alcohol which resulted in him losing three stone.
(Image: PA)
Opening up on how he shed the pounds, he told The Sun: “I try to work and go to the gym and eat healthy and do what everyone else does but when I’m working and writing I get so consumed by it so I do try.”
In 2018, he gave a glimpse into his healthy eating habits and fitness regime.
Speaking to The Mirror he said: “Well, it’s eating broccoli and not much else. I’ve also been running a lot. It has worked.”
Other reports said the Lord of the Rings actor follows a vegetarian diet and eats lots of greens, drinks lots of juice and does lots of walking.
Net worth
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Lenny’s career kickstarted when he was just 16 after he wont a talent competition, New Faces in 1975.
This allowed him to create his own comedy series, The Lenny Henry show, originally broadcast between 1984 and 1988.
He went on to appear in a number of hit TV shows, including The Syndicate (2015), Broadchurch (2017), Doctor Who (2020) and most recently, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, released in 2022.
Aside from acting, Lenny is also a successful TV presenter and writer.
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
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In 1985, he co-founded Comic Relief with screenwriter Richard Curtis in response to a huge famine in Ethiopia, Africa.
The star has been presenting the BBC show ever since, which has raised millions of pounds.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that he has an eye-watering net worth.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, he is estimated to be around $9-10million as of 2023.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
