Stewart Lee Biography: Stewart Graham Lee born 5 April 1968 is an English comedian known for his unique stand-up style, which features repetition, self-referential humor, and a deadpan delivery. Lee began performing in 1989 and rose to prominence as part of the comedy duo Lee and Herring, alongside Richard Herring. In 2001, he co-wrote and co-directed the West End musical Jerry Springer: The Opera, which received critical acclaim but also provoked strong opposition from Christian right groups, who protested its early performances. Lee won two British Comedy Awards: Best Male Television Comic and Best Comedy Entertainment Programme for his series Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. In addition to his comedy work, he has written music reviews for various publications, including The Sunday Times.
Stewart Lee Biography
Stewart Lee was born on April 5, 1968, in Wellington, Shropshire, England. He is a writer and producer best known for his work on Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle (2009), This Morning with Richard Not Judy (1998), and Time Gentlemen Please (2000). He has been married to comedian Bridget Christie since 2006, and together they have two children.
Stewart Lee Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Stewart Graham Lee
5 April 1968 (age 57)
Wellington, Shropshire, England |
| Education |
Solihull School |
| Alma mater |
St Edmund Hall, Oxford (BA) |
| Occupations |
Comedian
screenwriter
television director |
| Years active |
1989–present |
| Spouse |
Bridget Christie
(m. 2006; sep. 2021) |
| Children |
2 |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
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About Stewart Lee
Stewart Graham Lee is an English comedian. His stand-up routine is characterised by repetition, internal reference, and deadpan delivery. Lee began his career in 1989 and formed the comedy duo Lee and Herring with Richard Herring.
Stewart Lee Wiki
- Born: 5 April 1968 (age 57 years), Wellington, Telford, United Kingdom
- Spouse: Bridget Christie (m. 2006–2021)
- Height: 81 m
- Children: 2
- Alma mater: St Edmund Hall, Oxford (BA)
- Education: Solihull School
Early Life
Stewart Lee was born on 5 April 1968 in Wellington, Shropshire. Adopted as a child, he was raised in Solihull, West Midlands, primarily by his mother after his adoptive parents separated when he was four. He attended Solihull School on a partial scholarship, receiving what he has described as a “waifs and strays bursary” due to his adoption. He was active in the school’s mountain-walking club, which frequently visited Snowdonia—an activity shared by future members of the grindcore band Napalm Death.
As a teenager, Lee suffered from ulcerative colitis, a condition that caused severe weight loss and made him appear extremely thin. At age 16, he immersed himself in music and literature, often attending gigs, buying records, and listening to the John Peel show. He later studied English at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, graduating with a 2:1 degree.
Career
While studying at Oxford in the 1980s, Stewart Lee wrote and performed comedy as part of a revue group called The Seven Raymonds, alongside Richard Herring, Emma Kennedy, and Tim Richardson. Although Lee did not perform in the famous Oxford Revue, he did write for and direct the 1989 production. After moving to London and beginning his stand-up career post-university, Lee gained more recognition in 1990 when he won the prestigious Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition.
In the early 1990s, Lee and Herring wrote material for BBC Radio 4’s On the Hour (1991), a show hosted by Chris Morris. The program marked the debut of Steve Coogan’s iconic character, Alan Partridge, with Lee and Herring contributing early material for the character. Due to creative differences with the rest of the team, they left when the show transitioned to television as The Day Today.
Personal Life
Stewart Lee married fellow comedian Bridget Christie in 2006. The couple separated amicably in 2021. He lives in Stoke Newington and is the father of two children. Lee is actively involved in several causes and organizations. He serves as a patron of Humanists UK, is a member of Arts Emergency, and holds the title of Honorary Associate with the National Secular Society. He has also shared that he received an unofficial autism diagnosis from his GP.Lee is in a relationship with comedian Rosie Holt.
Style and Material
Stewart Lee cites a diverse range of influences, including comedians such as Ted Chippington, Arnold Brown, Norman Lovett, Jerry Sadowitz, Simon Munnery, Kevin McAleer, and Johnny Vegas. His comedy spans a broad spectrum of styles and themes, often blending topical and observational humor with elements of absurdity and self-deprecation. Many of his standout routines explore issues such as religion, political correctness, and artistic integrity. A hallmark of his performance style is meta-humour, where he deliberately breaks the fourth wall by discussing the mechanics and intentions behind his routines, challenging the illusion of spontaneity.
In a 2006 article for The Guardian, Lee reflected on how developing the German-language opera Stand Up made him aware of how much British humor relies on the intricacies of the English language, particularly its capacity for wordplay and multiple meanings. He highlighted the “pull back and reveal” technique—where the true subject of a joke is hidden until the final moment—as something that doesn’t easily translate into German.
Stewart Lee Net Worth 2025
It’s difficult to determine a precise net worth for Stewart Lee in 2025, as he is a frequent subject in both public and private business. However, based on publicly available information, it’s possible to gather some estimates and insights. For example, one source, Company Check, indicates that the combined current assets value for businesses where Stewart Lee holds a current appointment is £710k, with total current liabilities of £399k, resulting in a total current net worth of £311k. It’s important to note that this is likely a snapshot of a specific time and may not reflect his total net worth, especially if he has other assets or liabilities not mentioned in the specific business context.
FAQs
What was Stewart Lee’s early comedy background?
Stewart Lee’s early comedy background includes writing and performing with The Seven Raymonds during his time at Oxford University. He later moved to London to pursue stand-up comedy and gained recognition in 1990 by winning the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition.
What is Stewart Lee known for in radio and TV?
Lee is known for writing and performing in BBC Radio 4’s On the Hour (1991), which featured Alan Partridge. He later co-wrote and starred in the radio shows Lionel Nimrod’s Inexplicable World and Fist of Fun. Lee also created and appeared in TV shows like Fist of Fun and This Morning with Richard Not Judy.
How did Stewart Lee contribute to The Mighty Boosh?
Lee worked with Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh in the late 1990s, first in his Edinburgh show King Dong vs. Moby Dick, where Barratt and Fielding played a penis and a whale. Lee also directed their 1999 Edinburgh show Arctic Boosh, which laid the foundation for The Mighty Boosh’s live performances.
What shows did Stewart Lee create in the 1990s?
In the 1990s, Stewart Lee co-created and starred in the BBC Radio 4 show On the Hour (1991) and later appeared in Fist of Fun and This Morning with Richard Not Judy. The latter ran from 1998 to 1999 on BBC2.
When did Stewart Lee perform solo stand-up comedy?
While working with Richard Herring in the comedy duo Lee and Herring, Stewart Lee also continued performing solo stand-up, especially during the late 1990s, which helped solidify his individual comedy style and reputation.
How did Stewart Lee’s early career impact the British comedy scene?
Stewart Lee’s early career, particularly his work with Lee and Herring and his involvement with the The Mighty Boosh, played a significant role in shaping alternative comedy in the UK. His unique style of humor and collaborations with other prominent comedians influenced the comedic landscape of the time.
