Speaking after his ceremony, he said: “How cool to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London, and to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Giles Terera, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and Damian Lewis.
His stage acting credits include the lead role in Northern Broadsides 2009 production of Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and London’s West End, The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre, Fences at the Duchess Theatre, August in England at the Bush Theatre, and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Donmar Warehouse.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Recent high profile recipients include multi-award-winning ‘Hamilton’ actor and musician, Giles Terera; leading vascular and trauma surgeon, Professor David Nott; Olympic and Commonwealth Games Gold- and Silver-medal winning athlete, Lady Mary Peters; and the world’s most prolific producer of musicals in theatre history, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Commenting on his latest achievement, Lord Mayor of London Alastair King said: “There are few entertainers around today who are as popular and instantly recognisable as Sir Lenny, and it is an absolute pleasure to support his nomination.
