Lenworth George "Lenny" Henry, CBE (born 29 August 1958) is a British actor, writer, comedian and occasional television presenter.
Henry, the son of Jamaican immigrants, was born at Burton Road Hospital in Dudley in 1958. He was a pupil at St John's Primary School and later The Blue Coat School outside Dudley, before completing his school education at W.R. Tuson College (now Preston College).
His 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.
Shortly before this, on 17 December 1974, the then 16-year-old Henry had been voted Britain's top non-smoker for his declaration aimed at teenagers that smoking was not fashionable.
His earliest television appearance was on the New Faces talent show, which he won in 1975 with an impersonation of Stevie Wonder. The following year he appeared with Norman Beaton in LWT's sitcom The Fosters, Britain's first comedy series with predominantly black performers. His formative years were spent in working men's clubs, where his act was as a young black man impersonating white characters such as the Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em character Frank Spencer (whom he impersonated on New Faces). He also made guest appearances on television programmes including Celebrity Squares, Seaside Special and The Ronnie Corbett Show.
In your eyes I can see the whole world
In your smile I can feel the same thing, too
Is your voice just as real?
Cos I don't know your name. Well...
It seems like I've known you always
Even though, hasn't it one full day?
I'm surprised that I feel this
cos I don't know your name. Well...
What's your name? Does it really matter?
Will your name make me love you more than I do?
They have found me in you. Who are you? Tell me...
There's no plan that could say how we'd meet
I can tell cos I swept you off your feet
I don't know if you're ready
cos I don't know your name
Should I say what I got on my mind?
I would swear I will know you a long time
Maybe this is the moment.
I don't know your name. Well...
I wanna know your name. What's your name?
Time is right. Please don't fight. You will get to know me.
Face the reason while we're here. So don't be afraid.