Fry: British actors ’over-rated in US’ - Mar 20 2007
British actors are over-rated in Hollywood because Americans are "fooled by our accent into detecting a brilliance that may not really be there", according to Stephen Fry.

The actor and writer made the suggestion after seeing a "blitz of Brits" take the prizes at this year’s Golden Globes, including Dame Helen Mirren and the comedian’s former comedy partner Hugh Laurie.

He wrote in this week’s Radio Times: "I shouldn’t be saying this, high treason really, but I sometimes wonder if Americans aren’t fooled by our accent into detecting a brilliance that may not really be there.

"I mean, would they notice if Jeremy Irons or Judi Dench gave a bad performance? Not that those two paragons ever would, but it’s worth considering."

The 49-year-old, who recently filmed a cameo in US forensic science drama Bones, also said US actors were more natural in front of the camera.

"I’ve always believed Americans have one huge, ready-made gift when it comes to acting in front of a camera: the ability to relax.

"I think of it as comparable to the difference between, say, Tony Bennett and Luciano Pavarotti. Two great voices, but one is natural, easy, the same organ we use to order up pizza and ask directions to the bathroom, while the other is technically brilliant, but essentially artificial.

"So it is with acting: the supreme relaxed authenticity of a James Stewart or a George Clooney compared with the brittle contrivances of a Laurence Olivier or a Kenneth Branagh, marvellous as they are."

Stars back carbon emissions drive - Feb 1 2007
Celebrities have joined Tony Blair in supporting the Global Cool campaign to tackle climate change by asking one billion people to each reduce their carbon emissions by one tonne a year.

At a No 10 reception attended by celebrity supporters Stephen Fry, KT Tunstall, Josh Hartnett, Brian May and Anita Dobson, the Prime Minister said it was important for individuals to take responsibility for their actions.

"This is just a wonderful initiative that I hope will inspire people the world over. It is a big ask," he said.

"The whole purpose of Global Cool is to mobilise that passion people have for doing the responsible thing for the environment with a sense that you can actually make an impact. You don’t have to wait for others to act."

At the launch of the campaign, Hollywood actor Josh, 28, said: "The change in temperature is dramatic. You can call it a fluke but it’s been consistent.

"You see the effects every day. You start to wonder ’what can I do about it?’. But you can unplug your telephone, unplug your TV, don’t leave your TV on standby.

"You can reduce your carbon emissions by about two tonnes a year. I was amazed at how easy it is."


New role - Aug 05
Riding high on the success of his latest role as Charles Peniless in Absolute Power, Stephen Fry has landed his next big-screen job, playing opposite Andy Serkis (Gollum from "Lord of the Rings") in a film adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s "The Stormbreaker".
By Tom Knight