Aside from his careers as an
actor and a
novelist, Stephen Fry is known for his readings of the British
audiobook editions of the
Harry Potter novels. Contrasted to fellow British
thespian Jim Dale's performances of the American editions, Fry comes across as substantially more reserved, and with different portrayals for certain characters (most notably
Severus Snape and
Draco Malfoy).
Stephen Fry's reading of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was broadcast for a solid, history-making 8 1/2 hours over BBC radio on Boxing Day, 2000. Said BBC Radio 4 's controller in an NPR Weekend All Things Considered interview, "I got an email today saying my three children told us they won't be available on Boxing Day, because they're planning their day around Harry Potter."