Editing Stephen Fry (section)

==Personal life==
Fry married comedian Elliott Spencer, 30 years his junior, in January 2015 in [[Dereham]], Norfolk.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/elliott-spencer-addresses-disapproval-over-the-30-year-age-gap-between-him-and-new-husband-stephen-10035612.html "Elliott Spencer addresses disapproval over the 30-year age gap between him and new husband Stephen Fry"]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 16 December 2016</ref> Fry lives in [[West Bilney]] in Norfolk.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norfolk Day: Stephen Fry to give 'Toast to Norfolk' |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/stephen-fry-norfolk-day-toast-1576810 |access-date=4 February 2022 |work=Eastern Daily Press |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202093922/https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/stephen-fry-norfolk-day-toast-1576810 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He became friends with [[King Charles III]] while Charles was [[Prince of Wales]], through his work with [[The Prince's Trust]]. He attended the then-Prince's [[Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla Parker Bowles|wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles]] in 2005. He is also a friend of [[Rowan Atkinson]] and was best man at Atkinson's wedding to Sunetra Sastry at the [[Russian Tea Room]] in New York City. He was a friend of [[Sir John Mills]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4476875.stm|title=Acting legend Sir John Mills dies|work=BBC News|date=24 April 2005|access-date=4 February 2009}}</ref> His best friend is [[Hugh Laurie]],<ref name=frychron/> whom he met while both were at [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] and with whom he has collaborated many times over the years. He was best man at Laurie's wedding and is godfather to all three of his children.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=David|title=Doctor Hugh|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/apr/24/comment.broadcasting|access-date=14 November 2011|newspaper=The Observer|date=23 April 2005|location=London}}</ref>

Fry started using [[cocaine]] in his twenties, and continued until 2001. He wrote about his drug use in the memoir ''[[More Fool Me (memoir)|More Fool Me]]'' (2014).<ref name="'Cocaine didn't seem to do me any physical harm': Stephen Fry">{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Mary |title='Cocaine didn't seem to do me any physical harm': Stephen Fry |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/cocaine-didnt-seem-to-do-me-any-physical-harm-stephen-fry-20150525-gh8pso.html |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=24 May 2015 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Stephen Fry, 66, says childhood sweets were 'gateway' to his cocaine addiction">{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=Stephen Fry, 66, says childhood sweets were 'gateway' to his cocaine addiction |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/stephen-fry-cocaine-addiction-sweets-b2441590.html |access-date=6 July 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=4 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

A fan of cricket, Fry has stated that he is related to former England cricketer [[C. B. Fry]],<ref name="SAE10">{{cite episode|title=[[List of QI episodes#Series A (2003)|Series A, Episode 8]]|series=QI|airdate=30 October 2003|season=A|number=8}}</ref> and was interviewed for the ''Ashes Fever'' DVD, reporting on [[English cricket team|England]]'s victory over [[Australia cricket team|Australia]] in the [[2005 Ashes]] series. Regarding [[association football|football]], he is a supporter of [[Norwich City FC]], and is a regular visitor to their home ground at [[Carrow Road]]. He has been described as "deeply dippy for all things [[Digital electronics|digital]]" and claims to have bought the third [[Macintosh 128K|Macintosh]] computer sold in the UK (his friend [[Douglas Adams]] bought the first two). He jokes that he has never encountered a [[smartphone]] that he has not purchased.<ref name="Dork Talk">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/series/dorktalk|title=Dork talk|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=4 February 2009|location=London|date=9 November 2007}}</ref> He counts Wikipedia among his favourite websites.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videojug.com/interview/stephen-fry-the-internet|title=Interview with Stephen Fry|publisher=VideoJug|date=31 May 2007|access-date=4 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211141802/http://www.videojug.com/interview/stephen-fry-the-internet|archive-date=11 February 2009}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=January 2025}}

Fry has a long-standing interest in Internet production, including having his own website since 1997. His site ''The New Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry'' has existed since 2002 and has attracted many visitors following his first blog in September 2007, which consisted of a 6,500-word "blessay" on smartphones. In February 2008, he launched his private [[podcast]] series, ''[[Stephen Fry's Podgrams]]'' (defunct), and a forum, including discussions on depression and activities in which he is involved. The website content is created by Fry and produced by Andrew Sampson. Fry's weekly gadget column ''Dork Talk'' appeared in ''[[The Guardian]]'' from November 2007 to October 2008.<ref name="Dork Talk"/> Fry is also a supporter of [[GNU]] and the [[Free Software Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gnu.org/thankgnus/2008supporters.html#TOCpatrons|title=Patronage of GNU Project|publisher=Gnu.org|access-date=4 February 2009}}</ref> For the 25th anniversary of the GNU operating system, Fry appeared in a video explaining some of the philosophy behind GNU by likening it to the sharing found in science.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gnu.org/fry/happy-birthday-to-gnu.html|title=Freedom Fry – "Happy birthday to GNU"|publisher=Gnu.org|date=20 October 2008|access-date=4 February 2009}}</ref>

When in London, he drives a dark green [[TX4]] [[London cab]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2012/oct/23/black-cab-monument-london-life-austin|title=The black cab: a moving monument to London life|first=Oliver|last=Wainwright|date=24 October 2012|work=The Guardian}}</ref> This vehicle has been featured in Fry's production ''Stephen Fry in America''.<ref>Fry S. [http://www.stephenfry.com/blog/2008/10/10/stephen-fry-in-america/ from ''Stephen Fry in America''], 10 October 2008</ref> On 16 April 2018, Fry released the first episode of a new podcast "Stephen Fry's 7 Deadly Sins" available on his website and other podcasting platforms<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.acast.com/s/greatleapyears|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223072906/https://play.acast.com/s/greatleapyears|archive-date=23 December 2020|title=Stephen Fry's 7 Deadly Sins on acast|date=April 2018 }}</ref> The first episode of the second series was released on 13 January 2020 and continued to be released over the course of nine weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stephenfry.com/7deadlysins/ |title=7 Deadly Sins - Official site of Stephen Fry |website=Stephenfry.com |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref> In 2019, he was featured in the filmed poem rendition ''Love Goes Never Alone,'' for the online theatre publication ''First Night Magazine'' in support of the LGBTQ+ community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2019 |title=Love Goes Never Alone |url=https://firstnightmagazine.com/2019/07/05/love-goes-never-alone/ |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=First Night Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, during an '[[Alternative Christmas message]]', broadcast on Channel 4, Fry remarked that he was proud of his Jewish heritage.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7uUGJhiehM |title=Stephen Fry Addresses The Nation {{!}} Channel 4 Alternative Christmas Message |date=25 December 2023 |access-date=31 January 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He said: "I've been on lists of [[British Jews]] that some ultra-right wing newspapers and sites have published over the years. And I'm frankly damned if I'll let antisemites be the ones who define me, and take ownership of the word 'Jew', injecting it with their own spiteful venom. So I accept and claim the identity with pride, I am Stephen Fry, and I am a Jew."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yossman |first1=K. J. |title=Stephen Fry Condemns Antisemitism in Channel 4 Christmas Message, Encourages People to Call Out 'Venomous Slurs and Hateful Abuse' |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/stephen-fry-antisemitism-channel-4-christmas-message-1235843483/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=18 December 2023|access-date=21 December 2023}}</ref>

Enabled by a 2020 change in citizenship legislation in Austria, Fry acquired Austrian citizenship as a descendant of persons persecuted by Nazism, thus regaining the citizenship his ancestors forcibly lost.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Fry calls to Vote! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTUl0GUx-mM |via=YouTube| date=9 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Britischer Schauspieler Stephen Fry wählt bei österreichischer Nationalratswahl |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/3000000235907/britischer-schauspieler-stephen-fry-waehlt-bei-oesterreichischer-nationalratswahl |access-date=11 September 2024 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}}</ref>

===Sexuality===
[[File:StephenFryWorldPride.jpg|thumb|right|Fry with [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]] marchers at [[WorldPride 2012]] in London]]
Fry struggled to keep his homosexuality secret during his teenage years at [[public school (United Kingdom)|public school]], and by his own account did not engage in sexual activity for 16 years between 1979 and 1995<ref>{{cite web|title=The Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry|url=http://www.stephenfry.com/moab/one-mans-journey/|access-date=11 May 2008}}</ref> When asked when he first acknowledged his sexuality, Fry quipped: "I suppose it all began when I came out of the womb. I looked back up at my mother and thought to myself, 'That's the last time I'm going up one of those'."<ref name="10things2007">{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Levine|title=Ten Things You Never Knew About Stephen Fry|date=19 September 2007|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a75964/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-stephen-fry.html|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=23 March 2009}}</ref> In his 1997 autobiography titled ''[[Moab Is My Washpot]]'', however, Fry attributed the joke to "a friend at university", adding, "I have since shamelessly used this as my own explanation of When I Knew."<ref>{{Cite book|title=Moab is My Washpot|last=Fry|first=Stephen|publisher=Random House, NY|year=1997|pages=[https://archive.org/details/moabismywashpota0000frys/page/24/mode/2up?view=theater 24]|isbn=0-375-50264-5|url=https://archive.org/details/moabismywashpot0000frys|access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref>

Fry was in a 15-year relationship with Daniel Cohen that ended in 2010.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/stephen-fry-a-restless-soul-546925.html |title=Stephen Fry: A restless soul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205171852/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/stephen-fry-a-restless-soul-546925.html |archive-date=5 December 2008 |access-date=9 February 2014 |location=London |url-status=dead |work=The Independent}}</ref> Fry was listed number 2 in 2016 and number 12 in 2017 on the Pride Power list.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pride Power List 2016|url=http://www.pridepowerlist.co.uk/power-list-2016.html|access-date=7 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628002423/http://www.pridepowerlist.co.uk/power-list-2016.html|archive-date=28 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pride Power List 2017|url=http://www.pridepowerlist.co.uk/pride-powerlist-2017.html|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313045528/http://www.pridepowerlist.co.uk/pride-powerlist-2017.html|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 6 January 2015, British tabloid ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' reported that Fry would marry his partner, comedian Elliott Spencer. Fry wrote on Twitter: "It looks as though a certain cat is out of a certain bag. I'm very very happy of course but had hoped for a private wedding. Fat chance!"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-30693048|title=Stephen Fry to marry partner Elliott Spencer|work=BBC News|date=6 December 2014}}</ref> Eleven days after the news story, Fry married Spencer on 17 January at [[Dereham]] in Norfolk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2015011722900/stephen-fry-elliott-spencer-marry/|title=Stephen Fry and Elliott Spencer marry|work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]]|access-date=17 January 2015|date=17 January 2015}}</ref>

===Politics===
Fry was an active supporter of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] for many years and appeared in a [[party political broadcast]] on its behalf with [[Hugh Laurie]] and [[Michelle Collins]] in November 1993. He did not vote in the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]] because of the stance of both the Labour and [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] parties with regard to the [[Iraq War]]. Despite his praise of the [[Tony Blair|Blair]]/[[Gordon Brown|Brown]] government's work on social reform, Fry was an outspoken critic of the Labour Party's [[Third Way]] concept. Fry appeared in campaign literature to support changing the British electoral system from [[first-past-the-post]] to [[alternative vote]] for electing members of parliament to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] in the [[2011 United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum|Alternative Vote referendum]] of 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12950712|title=Benjamin Zephaniah 'airbrushed from Yes to AV leaflets'|work=BBC News|date=3 April 2011}}</ref>

On 30 April 2008, Fry signed an open letter, published in ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper by a number of Jewish personalities, stating their opposition to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.<ref>{{cite news|author=Close|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/30/israelandthepalestinians|title=''The Guardian'': We're not celebrating Israel's anniversary|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 February 2009| location=London| date=30 April 2008}}</ref> Furthermore, he is a signatory member of the British [[Jews for Justice for Palestinians]] (JJP) organisation, which campaigns for [[Palestinian]] rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jfjfp.com/?page_id=9|title=Signatories|publisher=jfjfp.com|access-date=8 November 2009}}</ref> Fry was among over 100 signatories to a statement published by [[Sense about Science]] on 4 June 2009, condemning British [[libel laws]] and their use to "severely curtail the right to free speech on a matter of public interest".<ref>{{cite web|title=The law has no place in scientific disputes|url=http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/334|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607021143/http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/334|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 June 2009|publisher=Sense about Science|date=7 October 2009|access-date=12 October 2009}}</ref>

In August 2013, Fry published an open letter to [[David Cameron]], the British Prime Minister, and the [[International Olympic Committee]] calling for a boycott of the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], due to concerns over the [[LGBT rights in Russia|state-sanctioned persecution of LGBT people in Russia]] under the [[Russian gay propaganda law|2013 anti-"gay propaganda" laws]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stephen-fry-me.tumblr.com/post/57612770175/open-letter-to-david-cameron-and-the-ioc|title=Stephen Fry|work=tumblr.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810124308/http://stephen-fry-me.tumblr.com/post/57612770175/open-letter-to-david-cameron-and-the-ioc|archive-date=10 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Buckley |first1=Neil |title=Stephen Fry calls for Russia to lose Olympics over anti-gay law |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4a4311fa-ff8c-11e2-b990-00144feab7de |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/4a4311fa-ff8c-11e2-b990-00144feab7de |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=24 April 2022 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=7 August 2013}}</ref> Cameron stated on Twitter he believed "we can better challenge prejudice as we attend, rather than boycotting the Winter Olympics".<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 August 2013 |title=Russian Antigay Law Protested |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/sports/russian-antigay-law-protested.html |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cameron rejects Stephen Fry's call for Russian Winter Olympics boycott |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/10/cameron-rejects-stephen-fry-russia-winter-games-boycott |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 August 2013 |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref> Fry said in 2015 that the ''Daily Mail'' editor [[Paul Dacre]] "has done more to damage the Britain I love than any single person".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fry|first=Stephen|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/06/stephen-fry-dont-fool-me-proust-questionnaire|title=Stephen Fry's Most Treasured Possession Is from P.G. Wodehouse|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=July 2015|access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>

In March 2014, Fry publicly backed "[[Hacked Off]]" and its campaign towards press self-regulation by "safeguarding the press from political interference while also giving vital protection to the vulnerable".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/benedict-cumberbatch-alfonso-cuaron-maggie-689289 | work=The Hollywood Reporter | first=Georg | last=Szalai | title=Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfonso Cuaron, Maggie Smith Back U.K. Press Regulation | date=18 March 2014}}</ref>

In 2016 he caused controversy by accusing survivors of child sexual abuse of self-pity for expecting trigger warnings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/stephen-fry-which-child-sexual-abuse-victim-do-you-think-changed-their-mind-about-trigger-warnings-when-you-told-them-to-grow-up-a6980546.html|title=Stephen Fry, which child sexual abuse victim do you think changed their mind about trigger warnings when you told them to 'grow up'?|work=[[The Independent]]|first=Harriet|last=Williamson|author-link=Harriet Williamson|date=12 April 2016|access-date=4 January 2025|language=en-gb}}</ref> Soon after he apologised for his comments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/stephen-fry-apologises-unreservedly-for-claiming-sex-abuse-survivors-should-grow-up-and-stop-pitying-themselves-a6983651.html|title=Stephen Fry apologises 'unreservedly' for claiming sex abuse survivors should 'grow up' and stop pitying themselves|work=[[The Independent]]|first=Heather|last=Saul|date=14 April 2016|access-date=4 January 2025|language=en-gb}}</ref>

On 18 May 2018, Fry participated in the semi-annual [[Munk Debates]] in Toronto, Canada, where he argued against [[political correctness]] on the ''Con'' side of the topic "Be it resolved, what you call political correctness, I call progress..." alongside [[Jordan Peterson]], and in opposition to ''Pro'' side represented by [[Michelle Goldberg]] and [[Michael Eric Dyson]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.munkdebates.com/The-Debates/Political-Correctness | title=Munk Debates – Political Correctness | work=The Munk Debates | date=18 May 2018 | access-date=31 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204045148/https://www.munkdebates.com/The-Debates/Political-Correctness | archive-date=4 December 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/a-politically-incorrect-debate-about-political-correctness-1.4683963 | title=A politically incorrect debate about political correctness | work=CBC Radio | date=30 May 2018 | access-date=31 October 2018}}</ref> During the debate, Fry [[paraphrase]]d a famous sentence from the 1923 essay ''I Am Afraid'', in which [[Old Bolshevik]]-turned-[[Soviet dissident]] [[Yevgeny Zamyatin]] denounced [[censorship in the Soviet Union]]. The original sentence reads, "True literature can exist only when it is created, not by diligent and reliable officials, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels and skeptics."<ref>"I Am Afraid" (1921) p. 57, in: ''A Soviet Heretic''. trans. Mirra Ginsberg [[University of Chicago]] Press. (1970). p. 53-58</ref> Fry's rendering, however, reads, "Progress is not achieved by preachers and guardians of morality, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels, and sceptics."<ref>[https://scrapsfromtheloft.com/2018/10/19/against-political-correctness-stephen-fry/ AGAINST POLITICAL CORRECTNESS] – BY STEPHEN FRY
19 October 2018.</ref>

On 1 February 2021, Fry supported the petition of two [[Holocaust survivors]], Dorit Oliver-Wolff and Ruth Barnett who were asking to meet Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] regarding the 'genocide amendment' to the trade bill; this amendment would allow an independent parliamentary judicial committee to examine evidence of [[genocide]].<ref>{{cite news|date=23 February 2021|title=Holocaust survivors demand meeting with PM over 'genocide amendment' as government faces Lord defeat|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/holocaust-genocide-amendment-boris-johnson-b1806131.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/holocaust-genocide-amendment-boris-johnson-b1806131.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=1 March 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> In a tweet, Fry highlighted the [[Persecution of Uyghurs in China|plight of the Uyghurs]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=stephenfry|title=As holocaust survivors, Ruth Barnett and Dorit Wolf know all too well what genocide is|number=1366325396103434241|date=1 March 2021}}</ref>

Fry has spoken out publicly in support of the return of the [[Elgin Marbles]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanderson |first=David |date=30 May 2022 |title=Stephen Fry: Be classy and return the Elgin Marbles |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/art/article/stephen-fry-be-classy-and-return-the-elgin-marbles-mj2zmxgrj |url-access=subscription |access-date=31 May 2022 |work=[[The Times]] |language=en |issn=0140-0460 |quote=He said the return of the statues from Britain "would be an act that uses a word that we haven't been able to use of Britain's acts lately, much: it would be classy".}}</ref>

''' Poland controversy '''
{{see also|The Holocaust in Poland}}
On 6 October 2009, Fry was interviewed by [[Jon Snow (journalist)|Jon Snow]] on ''[[Channel 4 News]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/fryaposs+fears+over+toriesapos+antigay+links/3374297|title=Fry's fears over Tories' anti-gay links|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=9 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009105313/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/fryaposs%2Bfears%2Bover%2Btoriesapos%2Bantigay%2Blinks/3374297|archive-date=9 October 2009}}</ref> as a signatory of a letter to [[British Conservative Party]] leader [[David Cameron]] expressing concern about the party forming a political alliance with the right-wing Polish [[Law and Justice]] party in the [[European Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Charter|first= David|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/right-wing-polish-mep-michal-kaminski-becomes-tories-controversial-eu-leader-cdrnsq62kgx|title=Right-wing Polish MEP Michal Kaminski becomes Tories controversial EU leader|access-date=19 January 2025| location=London| date=16 July 2009}}</ref> During the interview, he stated:
{{blockquote|There has been a history, let's face it, in Poland of a right-wing [[Catholic Church in Poland|Catholicism]] which has been deeply disturbing for those of us who know a little history, and remember which side of [[Germany–Poland border|the border]] Auschwitz was on and know the stories, and know much of the [[Anti-Semitism in Poland|anti-semitic]], and [[Homophobia in Poland|homophobic]] and [[Polish nationalism|nationalistic]] elements in countries like Poland.}}
The remark prompted a complaint from the [[Polish Embassy in London]], an editorial in ''[[The Economist]]'' and criticism from British Jewish historian [[David Cesarani]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14635055|title=Europe.view: Unoccupied Britain|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|access-date=17 October 2009|date=15 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=David |last=Ceserani|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/oct/12/stephen-fry-auschwitz-poland|title=Stephen Fry's Auschwitz blunder|work=The Guardian |date=13 October 2009|access-date=17 October 2009| location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Day|first= Matthew|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/6274395/Stephen-Fry-provokes-Polish-fury-over-Auschwitz-remark.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/6274395/Stephen-Fry-provokes-Polish-fury-over-Auschwitz-remark.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Stephen Fry provokes Polish fury over Auschwitz remark|access-date=9 October 2009| date=8 October 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/complaints+fry+aposslanderedapos+poland+over+auschwitz/3377697|title=Complaints: Fry 'slandered' Poland over Auschwitz|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|access-date=9 October 2009|archive-date=12 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012075722/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/complaints%2Bfry%2Baposslanderedapos%2Bpoland%2Bover%2Bauschwitz/3377697|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fry later posted an apology in a six-page post on his personal blog, in which he apologised for his remarks, stating that "I didn't even really at the time notice the import of what I had said, so gave myself no opportunity instantly to retract the statement. It was a rubbishy, cheap and offensive remark that I have been regretting ever since. I take this opportunity to apologise now." and "It detracted from and devalued my argument, such as it was, and it outraged and offended a large group of people for no very good reason."<ref name="stephenfry.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.stephenfry.com/2009/10/19/poles-politeness-and-politics-in-the-age-of-twitter/|title=Poles, Politeness and Politics in the age of Twitter|access-date=19 October 2009|date=19 October 2009}}</ref>

===Health===
Fry has [[cyclothymia]], a form of [[bipolar disorder]] (considered to be a milder type).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cahoon |first1=Lauren |last2=Chitale |first2=Radha |last3=Hunter |first3=Aina |title=The Cost Of Creativity: Bipolar Disorder and the Stars |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=4439015 |work=ABC News |date=1 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cousins |first1=Jon |title=Bipolar illness: My ever changing moods |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/bipolar-illness-my-ever-changing-moods-2248854.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/bipolar-illness-my-ever-changing-moods-2248854.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Independent |date=22 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Martinson |first1=Jane |title=Stephen Fry to feature in BBC1 mental health season |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/feb/01/stephen-fry-to-feature-in-bbc1-mental-health-season |work=The Guardian |date=1 February 2016}}</ref> Fry has spoken publicly about his experience with the condition, which was depicted in the documentary ''[[Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/neuroscience/patron/|title=Stephen Fry unveiled as Patron|publisher=[[Cardiff University]]|date=16 October 2008|access-date=4 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919021441/http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/neuroscience/patron/|archive-date=19 September 2013}}</ref> In the programme, he interviewed other people with bipolar disorder including [[Carrie Fisher]], [[Richard Dreyfuss]] and [[Tony Slattery]]. He also interviewed Robbie Williams, who suffers with unipolar depression, and they discussed the differences and similarities of their mental health experiences and diagnoses. He is involved with the mental health charity [[Stand to Reason (charity)|Stand to Reason]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Reception with Stephen Fry |url=http://www.standtoreason.org.uk/news?id=23 |publisher=Standtoreason.org |access-date=7 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207005725/http://www.standtoreason.org.uk/news?id=23 |archive-date=7 February 2011 }}</ref> and is president of [[Mind (charity)|Mind]].<ref name="mind" /> In 2013, he said that, in the previous year, he had started taking medication for the first time, in an attempt to control his condition.<ref name="Grylls" /> In 2018, alongside [[Nadiya Hussain]] and [[Olly Alexander]], Fry was part of [[Sport Relief]]'s attempt to raise awareness of mental health.<ref name="fryreliefnads">{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2018/03/24/nadiya-hussain-stephen-fry-reveal-mental-health-battles-moving-sport-relief-film-7412661/|title=Nadiya Hussain and Stephen Fry reveal their mental health battles in moving Sport Relief film|newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=24 March 2018|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref>

In 1995, while appearing in the West End play ''[[Cell Mates (play)|Cell Mates]]'', Fry had a [[nervous breakdown]] and walked out of the production, causing its early closure and incurring the displeasure of co-star [[Rik Mayall]] and playwright [[Simon Gray]].<ref name=life>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tgzp3 |title=BBC Two – A Life on Screen |website=[[BBC News]]|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> Fry went missing for several days and contemplated suicide. He later said that he would have killed himself if he had not had "the option of disappearing".<ref name=life/> He abandoned the idea and left the United Kingdom by ferry, eventually resurfacing in Belgium.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5202066.stm|title=Comedian Fry reveals suicide bid|work=[[BBC News]]|date=21 July 2006|access-date=4 February 2009}}</ref> Fry has attempted suicide on a number of occasions, most recently in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/jun/05/stephen-fry-attempted-suicide-bipolar|title=Stephen Fry: recent attempted suicide a 'close-run thing'|first=David |last=Batty|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In an interview with [[Richard Herring]] in 2013, Fry said that he had attempted suicide the previous year while filming abroad. He said that he took a "huge number of pills and a huge [amount] of vodka" and had to be brought back to the UK to be "looked after".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22782913|title=Stephen Fry reveals he attempted suicide in 2012|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=6 June 2013|date=6 June 2013}}</ref>

In January 2008, Fry broke his arm while filming ''[[Last Chance to See (TV series)|Last Chance to See]]'' in Brazil.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7196783.stm|title=Fry breaks arm filming in Brazil|website=[[BBC News]]|date=18 January 2008|access-date=18 January 2008}}</ref> While climbing aboard a boat, he slipped between it and the dock, and, stopping himself from falling into the water, his body weight snapped his right [[humerus]]. The resulting vulnerability to his [[radial nerve]]&nbsp;– which affects use of the arm&nbsp;– was not diagnosed until he saw a consultant in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stephenfry.com/podcasts/|title=Stephen Fry's Podgrams: Episode 1, Broken Arm|publisher=Stephenfry.com|access-date=4 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822173101/http://stephenfry.com/podcasts/|archive-date=22 August 2008}}</ref>

Appearing on the BBC's ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' in 2009, Fry had lost a significant amount of weight, and explained that he had shed a total of 6 [[Stone (unit)|stone]] (84&nbsp;lb; 38&nbsp;kg). He attributed the weight loss to walking while listening to [[audiobook]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/stephen-fry-in-our-reasonably-priced-car|title=Stephen Fry is a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, part 1/2 (Series 13, Episode 2)|work=Top Gear|access-date=1 June 2012|archive-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826100015/http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/stephen-fry-in-our-reasonably-priced-car|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fry is between {{convert|6|ft|4|in|m}} and {{convert|6|ft|5|in|m}} in height.<ref>QI Season 7, Episode 10</ref><ref>QI Season 4 ep. 11 of 13</ref> Fry has [[prosopagnosia]] ("face blindness").<ref name="Seighart">{{cite web|last1=Sieghart|first1=Mary Ann|title=Who Are You Again?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07hj65h|website=[[BBC Radio 4]]|date=1 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hepworth">{{cite news |title=Who are you again? What it's like to never remember a face |first=David|last=Hepworth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jun/25/who-are-you-again-what-its-like-to-never-remember-a-face |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref>

In February 2018, Fry announced that he was recovering from an operation to treat [[prostate cancer]], involving the removal of the prostate and 11 adjacent [[lymph node]]s. He described the cancer as aggressive and said that early intervention had saved his life.<ref>{{cite news|last=Khomani|first=Nadia|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/feb/23/stephen-fry-has-prostate-cancer|title=Stephen Fry has prostate cancer|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="BBCNEWS23">{{cite news|title=Stephen Fry recovering from prostate cancer surgery|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43171297|website=[[BBC News]]|date=23 February 2018}}</ref> In December 2020, Fry said he was having some radiotherapy, as is sometimes required after removal of the prostate to mop up remaining prostate cancer cells.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In March 2021, Fry hailed the "wonderful moment" of receiving the [[Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine|Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID vaccine]] at [[Westminster Abbey]]. The [[University of Cambridge]] alumnus joked that he would have to "put [[Oxford–Cambridge rivalry|petty rivalries]] behind [him]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2021-03-10/stephen-fry-hails-wonderful-moment-as-he-is-vaccinated-in-westminster-abbey|title=Stephen Fry hails 'wonderful moment' as he is vaccinated in Westminster Abbey|publisher=[[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]|date=10 March 2021}}</ref>

On 14 September 2023, Fry was taken to hospital after he fell about {{cvt|6|feet}} onto a concrete floor, when exiting the stage following a conference on [[artificial intelligence]] at [[The O2 Arena]] in [[Greenwich]]; he had sustained injuries to his ribs and legs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=20 September 2023 |title=Stephen Fry rushed to hospital after fall from The O2 stage |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/stephen-fry-rushed-to-hospital-after-fall-from-the-o2-stage-3501249 |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen Fry Falls Off Stage at Event in London and Taken to Hospital: 'Wishing Him a Swift Recovery' |url=https://people.com/stephen-fry-falls-off-stage-at-event-in-london-hospitalized-7972301 |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=Peoplemag}}</ref> After a recovery period he was reported to be back at work on 9 December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 December 2023 |title=Stephen Fry back at work three months after fall off stage |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67670081 |access-date=9 December 2023}}</ref>

===Views on religion===
Fry has repeatedly expressed opposition to organised religion, and has identified himself as an [[atheist]] and [[Secular humanism|humanist]], while declaring some sympathy for the [[Greek mythology|ancient Greek belief in gods]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Stephen Fry on God {{!}} The Meaning Of Life {{!}} RTÉ One| date=28 January 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/-suvkwNYSQo| archive-date=28 October 2021|language=en|access-date=12 December 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In his first autobiography, he described how he once considered ordination to the [[Anglican]] priesthood, but came to the conclusion that he "couldn't believe in God, because [he] was fundamentally Hellenic in [his] outlook".<ref name="Fry">{{cite book|last=Fry|first=Stephen|title=Moab is my washpot|publisher=Arrow books|year=2004|orig-year=1997|page=[https://archive.org/details/moabismywashpot0000frys_u0u3/page/382 382]|isbn=978-0-09-945704-6|url=https://archive.org/details/moabismywashpot0000frys_u0u3}}</ref> He has stated that religion can have positive effects: "Sometimes belief means credulity, sometimes an expression of faith and hope which even the most sceptical atheist such as myself cannot but find inspiring."<ref>Stephen Fry, ''The Spectator'' Lecture at the Royal Geographical Society, reprinted as "Would I live in America? In a heartbeat", ''The Spectator'', 9 May 2009, p. 28.</ref> Fry claims to have been expelled from [[Salt Lake City]], Utah, because of a joke made about doctrines of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].<ref>{{cite episode|title= Empire|series=QI|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzpH-PkMw74| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/fzpH-PkMw74| archive-date=28 October 2021|season=5|number=12}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=January 2025}}

In 2009, ''[[The Guardian]]'' published a letter from Fry addressing his younger self, explaining how his future is soon to unfold, reflecting on the positive progression towards gay acceptance and openness around him, and yet not everywhere, while warning on how "the cruel, hypocritical and loveless hand of religion and absolutism has fallen on the world once more".<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen |last=Fry|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/apr/30/stephen-fry-letter-gay-rights|title='The Guardian': Stephen Fry's letter to himself: Dearest absurd child|work=The Guardian |access-date=10 May 2009|location=London|date=30 April 2009}}</ref> Later that year, he and [[Christopher Hitchens]] participated in an "[[Intelligence Squared]]" debate in which they argued against [[Ann Widdecombe]] and Archbishop [[John Onaiyekan]], who supported the view that the Catholic Church was a force for good. Fry and Hitchens argued that the church did more harm than good, and were declared the victors after an audience vote. Fry attacked the Catholic Church's teachings on sexuality and denounced its wealth.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/23rd-october-2009/1/atheist-duo-convince-crowd-that-the-church-is-not-|title=Atheist duo convince crowd that the Church is not a force for good|first=Ed |last=West|work=The Catholic Herald|access-date=18 February 2012|location=London|date=23 October 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, Fry was made a Distinguished Supporter of the [[British Humanist Association]], stating: "it is essential to nail one's colours to the mast as a humanist."<ref>{{cite web|title=Stephen Fry: "it is essential to nail one's colours to the mast as a humanist".|publisher=British Humanist Association|url=https://humanism.org.uk/2010/02/04/news-447/|date=10 February 2010}}</ref> Later that year, Fry joined 54 other public figures in signing an open letter published in ''The Guardian'' stating their opposition to [[Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom]] being a state visit.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/15/harsh-judgments-on-pope-religion|title=Letters: Harsh judgments on the pope and religion|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 September 2010|location=London|date=15 September 2010}}</ref> On 22 February 2011, Fry was presented with the [[Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism]] by the Humanist Chaplaincy at [[Harvard University]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://harvardhumanist.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148:hch-presents-stephen-fry&catid=6:latest-news&Itemid=38 |title=Letters: HCH Presents Stephen Fry |work=Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard |access-date=27 January 2011 |location=Cambridge, MA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226101954/http://harvardhumanist.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148%3Ahch-presents-stephen-fry&catid=6%3Alatest-news&Itemid=38 |archive-date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theageofblasphemy.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/395/|title=Stepehn (sic) Fry Wins Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism|work=The Age of Blasphemy blog|date=24 January 2011|access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

When interviewed in 2015 by the Irish broadcaster [[Gay Byrne]], Fry was asked what he would say if he came face-to-face with God, to which he replied: "Bone cancer in children: what's that about? How dare you? How dare you create a world where there is such misery that's not our fault? It's utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/30/atheist-stephen-fry-delivers-stunning-answer-when-asked-what-he-would-say-if-he-came-face-to-face-with-god_n_6581710.html?1422648370|title=Atheist Stephen Fry Delivers Incredible Answer When Asked What He Would Say If He Met God|work=The Huffington Post UK|date=30 January 2015}}</ref> Within days, the video was viewed over five million times.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/stephen-fry-responds-to-the-meaning-of-life-controversy-1.2093869|title=Stephen Fry responds to The Meaning of Life controversy|author=Rosin Agnew|date=6 February 2015|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref> Fry later stated he did not refer to any specific religion: "I said quite a few things that were angry at this supposed God. I was merely saying things that [[Bertrand Russell]] and many finer heads of the mind have said for many thousands of years, going all the way back to the Greeks."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/stephen-fry-responds-to-christian-backlash-after-confronting-god-with-bone-cancer-in-children-whats-that-about-10027984.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/stephen-fry-responds-to-christian-backlash-after-confronting-god-with-bone-cancer-in-children-whats-that-about-10027984.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Stephen Fry responds to Christian backlash after confronting God with 'Bone cancer in children? What's that about?'|date=6 February 2015|work=The Independent|access-date=9 April 2017}}</ref> "Because the God who created this universe, if it was created by God, is quite clearly a maniac, utter maniac."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/stephen-fry-blasphemy-ireland-probe-investigation-richard-dawkins-arrest-a7728321.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/stephen-fry-blasphemy-ireland-probe-investigation-richard-dawkins-arrest-a7728321.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Richard Dawkins challenges police to arrest him for blasphemy|date=10 May 2017|work=The Independent}}</ref> In May 2017, it was announced that Fry, along with broadcaster [[RTÉ]], were under criminal investigation for blasphemy under the [[Blasphemy law in the Republic of Ireland#Defamation Act 2009|Defamation Act 2009]], following a complaint from a member of the public about the broadcast: the case was dropped after [[Gardaí]] confirmed that they had not been able to locate a sufficient number of offended people.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/stephen-fry-blasphemy-probe-dropped-after-garda-fail-to-find-substantial-number-of-outraged-people-35692915.html|work=[[Irish Independent]]|title=Stephen Fry blasphemy probe dropped after gardaí fail to find 'substantial number of outraged people'|first=Cathal|last=McMahon|date=8 May 2017}}</ref> The following year, in 2018, the article on blasphemy was removed from the Irish Constitution following a referendum.

He has praised [[Anglican Church of Canada|Anglican]] priest [[Michael Coren]]'s book ''The Rebel Christ'', saying: "Integrity, wit and passion. A fine advocate for the best of Christian thought and a faith that encompasses the human as well as the divine."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.premierchristianity.com/apologetics/a-famous-atheist-endorsed-my-book-about-jesus/14707.article|work=Premier Christianity|title=A famous atheist endorsed my book about Jesus'|first=Michael|last=Coren|date=19 January 2023}}</ref>