Stephen John Fry (born 24 August, 1957) is an English comedian, author, act… Read Full Bio ↴Stephen John Fry (born 24 August, 1957) is an English comedian, author, actor and director. He is the son of Alan Fry, an English scientist, and Marianne Neumann, an Austrian from a Jewish family.

Along with good friend Hugh Laurie, Fry co-wrote and starred in comedy series 'A Bit of Fry and Laurie'. The two also played the title roles in 'Jeeves and Wooster' and appeared in 'Blackadder'.

Stephen Fry has been the reader for the British versions of all of J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series of audio books and Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy film tie-in edition. He has also made recordings of his own books, such as The Stars' Tennis Balls; and works by Roald Dahl, Michael Bond, A. A. Milne, and Anthony Buckeridge.

Fry was educated at Stout's Hill, Uppingham School, NORCAT (Norfolk College of Arts and Technology) and Queens' College, Cambridge, where he gained a 2:1 in English. He lives in Norfolk and London. He was described as being "a man with a brain the size of Kent" in an interview with Michael Parkinson.

In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone -- Disc 2
Stephen Fry Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Stephen Fry:

Reasons To Be Miserable Reasons to be miserable Give his brain a pain There is littl…
Tubby The Tuba Tubby (Tim Hauser) Alone am I, me and I together. If I…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

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Comments from YouTube:

@neodreamingx

3y↑636

Stephen Fry does Hagrid's voice so well that when I first listened to his audiobooks I actually thought it was Robbie Coltrane narrating before I read the name of the narrator.

@jwl00066

3y↑11

me too!

@whistlingbanshee5038

3y↑11

I forget what character it was but at one point, I was certain that it was Hugh Laurie talking not Stephen Fry

@zackkrasney1936

2y↑8

Me too! I had to google it.

@notorio526

1y↑12

The audiobooks predate the film. Coltrane was inspired by Fry's Hagrid.

@Sovek86

1y↑3

I had no idea what Hagrids actor name so when I listened to book 1 I had to goog the actor just to make sure stephen Fry wasnt the actor for hagrid

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@ashuhlea

3y↑248

I used to fall asleep to Jim Dale’s voice every night for years — listening to the Potter books. 🥺 THATS my guy.

@Sol_Invictus777

2y↑14

SAAAAMEEE!!!! my friends in school thought it was weird and some family did too but I loved it

@alexblatchford4147

2y↑4

Jim’s my man

@cezariuszreginia5300

2y↑4

@Chaotic Stupid its not weird its what u enjoyed, its super fine

@timelesstalesbeauty5394

2y↑5

He’s adorable! How can anyone not just adore him ❤

@bakachan_

1y↑7

Same I literally had the CASSETTES when I was like 11-12 years old 😂

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@nikilandella6136

1y↑135

7 books and Fry doesn't miss nuance for one syllable. His voice got me through the hardest period of my life

@fingersTitan

43w↑7

I hope you are on the better side these days.
Good luck with life and most importantly. Enjoy and have fun!

@HT_Ray

39w↑3

Childhood...

@laurahill2440

2y↑152

No one will ever convince me that Stephen Fry wasn't BORN to read these books

@scottbreon9448

1y↑4

They both were to be honest. I love both of their narrations, but Fry is just that much better

@fingersTitan

43w↑2

and I still get parents shouting across the road to me. "My children go to bed with you!" 🤣🤣🤣

@jjtor2607

1y↑113

Hearing Jim Dale's voice for the first time in about 20 years just transported me back to being a kid, sitting in my room, listening to the audio books and following along with the book because I like to hear the voices he did lol almost made me start happy crying

@nonefvnfvnjnjnjevjenjvonej3384

16w↑1

we are old arent we. damn. i still feel like a kid though.

@nathanbennett6728

4y↑547

It's so dependant on who you listened to first. I have always listened to Jim Dale so for me he's the best. They also used his voices to cast the actors

@nexus_the_eternal3991

3y↑37

Same I am so used to jim dale it is actually annoying for me to listen to other readers

@SquirrelASMR

3y↑25

Wow that fact is fascinating! I was actually wondering last night if the audiobooks were released before or after the movies and if he copied the movie characters voices or how he knew what theyd sound like, but you're saying he invented them all??? THATS SO COOL

@nathanbennett6728

3y↑36

@Squirrel ASMR yes they used Jim Dale to help cast the actors and match the voice he created. He is also in the Guinness book of records for the most voices in one audiobook

@meganjones4301

3y↑6

Same. I love him reading to me

@TalkAsSoftAsChalk

3y↑15

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more. It's always going to be Fry for me because he was just there first. I have a whole list of reasons for why I prefer him. However, had I listened to Jim Dale first I would allot the same list to him. It's all about who introduced you to that world first. There's no going back but you can definitely appreciate just how insanely talented both of them are.

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@Shahrdad

3y↑175

I listened to Dale first and loved it. Then I listened to Fry, and loved it a hundred times more.

@Liskicj

3y↑8

Exactly the same experience over here also

@cactuslavie

2y↑1

same！

@KulaginAleks

2y↑7

Fry is awesome. Characters so individual, colourful. Best of all!

@MANOFTIME

2y↑5

Same!! I listened to Jim dales first and thought It was good but after I listened to Stephen frys I was frankly amazed, I have never heard so much detail in each characters voice and their tone of voice is just unparalleled, I think I know the exact moment when stephen frys version of harry potter audiobook became my all time favorite, it's when voldemort is reborn in the fifth book the chapter titled "the death eaters" And volermort says "I was ripped from my body, I was less than the meanest ghost, but still I was Alive" the was he says it it feels like we're in the moment, it's just the best.

@toby2079

❤❤❤

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@user-vb2rq3gs8p

3y↑95

I'm stunned by how much Fry's Dobby sounds like the film Dobby

@mindmonkey00

3y↑22

And his Hagrid. Holy shit

@realhumphreyappleby

@mindmonkey00 I came here to comment this!!

@jrsoares3074

3y↑2

And his Vernon!

@bigb9332

I'm pretty sure will at least I heard they based the movie characters voice off of dale's

@notorio526

1y↑1

The audiobooks started before the films

@candykkhorsesngp925

3y↑321

There’s just Something about Stephen fry’s version, the character voices were brilliant

@YaBigGaymo

2y↑6

Absolutely agree

@MANOFTIME

2y↑5

Yea!

@RabidNemo

1y↑4

Yes totally agree

@mirkarosa1899

1y↑5

I totally agree :) Dale's interpretation was OK, but Fry's was just pure magic <3

@scottbreon9448

1y↑3

I agree, especially his Hagrid voice.

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@savior_protector1721

3y↑70

Jim Dale was incredible. I've listened to his narrations of Harry Potter dozens of times

@davidhileman8567

1y↑2

Did you know? Jim Dale also was in Disney's "Pete's Dragon" as the villainous snake-oil salesman Doc Terminus.

@MtBArN

17w

Jim was better imo.

@thomasbland5450

3y↑94

As others have said...it comes down to what you're used to. Its Dale for me. When I hear Fry...I hear Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter. When I hear Dale...I hear Harry Potter

@LittleBrittixoye

1y↑7

Love this!! Fry feels like someone is reading in, but with Dale you are there!!

@eeropussinen613

1y↑7

@LittleBrittixoye To me it's the opposite. It's probably because I've listened to Stephen Fry's version and not Jim Dale's.

@cameronrichardson3108

See I prefer Jim’s version but when I listen to it I hear Dr Nookie 🙈

@xyincognito

51w↑4

funny - for me it's the other way round as illustrated by this video, all the voices sound the same from Dale in this video. Fry reflects more the drama and emotions of the scene

@williamwesemann8770

2y↑37

Listening to Jim Dale's voice fills me with such joy and nostalgia 🙂

@markyh88

35w↑11

Definitely Fry... You can tell who's meant to be talking in the story without him even mentioning the name. It's subtle voices in some cases but the difference is so noticeable that I automatically know who is meant to be speaking. That is narration talent.

@wiisalute

2y↑52

Jim Dale does a great Dumbledore. Thats how I picture his voice. Very calm like a wise old sage, similar to Gandalf

@Liofa73

1y↑2

Hmmm I think Fry's Dumbledore is perfect.

@MagusMarquillin

39w↑1

@@Liofa73 I only heard the excerpt, and I'm used to Jim in full, but to me Fry's Dumbledore sounded like Stephen Fry - hard to imagine him as a 150 year old sage, even though Fry is rather sage in his way. I like that Dale's feels like the same ballpark as Richard Harris. I think I could get behind Fry's take other then that role.

@robbys5236

3y↑260

Whether you think one is better than the other, both are very good, right?

@spinny003

3y↑9

Definitely

@TheJulioGulio

3y↑10

no. Jim Wins

@niclasjohansson5992

2y↑13

Both are very good. Although Dale does the the song excellently, I find that Fry's characterisations to be better. When he does Voldemorts high pitch laughter especially

@fredmiriam313

2y↑19

I agree. The biggest difference between the two is that Dale is a very good narrator, and Fry is more acting on the text, he really does voices, is the story, while Dale is more of a storyteller instead of "living it"
I find it hard to express this, I hope you all understand 😁
I prefer Stephen Fry, because he was the first one I've listened to, but I can imagine that when it's the other way around, and you're used to Dale, you prefer that, I imagine compared to dale, Fry is a bit overwhelming 😁😃

@DMorga

2y↑8

Definitely agree. I'm listening to these for the first time in my life at 32 (avid book and sort of movie fan, grew up with them). I've never listened to audiobooks in general due to an auditory processing issue (they're just too hard to follow usually and I'll get lost/distracted easily) but I decided I want to give the harry potter series a try and found out there were two versions. From talking to people and looking around online, it seems like everyone has a preference and it's heavily dependent on who you heard first. Not having any sort of bias, I do believe I prefer Stephen Fry, he's easier to follow and knows when to slow down and pause. Jim Dale has better voice acting and emotion but there's something about the pace of his voice that's tripping me up, I found myself having to focus harder to understand him.

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@garygalt4146

3y↑43

I like both. Fry is on everything these days and I like his work and so we accept his smooth tones like a family member. But dale is also like a long lost family member you haven’t seen for a long time, but makes you smile from fond memories. Thanks Jim for so many laughs and happy memories. Carry on.

@sotirishatzivasiliou9051

3y↑85

Both did a great job on giving life to the characters and the whole naration but for me Stephen Fry nailed it!

@SquirrelASMR

3y↑3

Who are you listening to for Prisoner of Azkaban now?

@ourphilosophyis9119

3y↑40

I love how Fry says “Oh dear...” at 3:49

@mariekevanmuijden4675

3y↑5

Yes! Fully agree.‘For a short, plump, kind faced woman it was remarkable how much she looked like a sabertooth tiger. “Ah,” said Fred. “Oh dear,” said George.’
My favorite part of the series, by far.

@deprofundis3293

@Marieke van Muijden haha, I thought I was the only one who cracked up at that part. Perfect delivery. I don't have a favorite overall yet, though. I've read the books many times, of course, but it's been a few years, and this is my first time reading the audiobooks!

@hichamgrad2843

This is my favorite part from the audiobooks😂😂😂

@murraymint8599

39w↑10

I’m kinda concerned for my sanity cos I keep re-listening to the Stephan fry versions over and over again without stop and they never get old and I think it’s some sort of addiction lol 😂

@Koryn_99

3y↑36

I find that I enjoy Jim Dale a little more because his default voice is a little softer, and I think it's easier on my ears to hear him doing the voices of young characters than Stephen Fry. But, I see the same from those who listened to Stephen Fry first, so it must just be a matter of who you listened to first.

@helenwu6229

2y↑88

I love Stephen Fry's narration so much more! His is not only clear and well paced, his mimic of every different characters, male or female, old or young, kind or evil, is just so lively that he makes you feel you are watching the movie!

@scottbreon9448

1y↑1

I think they are both great, but Fry is just that much better. The voices just add so much to his reading

@prfmag

2y↑13

Both are excellent performers. I think there's a strong pull to the first one you were exposed to. I am a Jim Dale fan, I love how he does unique voices for every single character.

@parchis00

3y↑146

Both very good. I prefer Fry, but it comes down to personal preference. Fry is better narrating and adjusting his narration according to the mood or emotion of the scene. Dale has an edge as a character voice actor, although Fry is also very good too at this. I like the Fry's pace better, and his voice seems clearer to me, although Dale's is clear too. One thing I also like about Fry's version is that he reads the original text, instead of the American "translation".

@valarya

3y↑18

It's definitely personal preference. I think Dale's narration just has the most comfortable pacing you almost forget you're listening to an audiobook as he transports you entirely. Fry's narration and voices get so muddled to me it's like listening to a LoFi version of Dale's HD read. I also feel like Dale just nails the magical & goofy moments which just makes my heart happy.

@Liofa73

1y↑7

@valarya --- Nah... for British people Fry has the edge. So much more listenable.

@FerrerThess

1y↑6

@Liofa I think for me, although both are British, Dale seems more of a neutral accent and tone, whereas Fry leans on his British pronunciation and intonation more heavily, making more sense for the text and the tone of scenes.

@AHR_James

3y↑161

Fry's voices are more distinct to my ear, I think I could pick out the character from a few words. But that's probably because I've been listening to him for the last 20 years. His pacing also feels more natural than Dale's and he puts emphasis where I would if I read it. Both obviously do a fantastic job, but I'm a Fry man through and through.

@chiphargis2419

Interestingly enough Jim Dale has the record for most voices in one book. And also they used his version to cast the movies.

@Liofa73

1y↑4

@Chip Hargis - Dale's characters all sound the same. The female kids voices are like babies... and he has the rolling R lispy thing going on which is annoying.

@FerrerThess

1y↑2

@Liofa Fry's is just perfect for me. The voices, the pauses, the tone, the pacing, everything... Dale is great, don't get me wrong, but for some reason, to me, it just does not have the same effect in immersing me in this particular story.

@iamvangarnett

3y↑190

Jim Dale gives the greatest audiobook performance of all time. He even ages the voices of the characters from book to book. He's in a class of his own. I sometimes even forget it's not a cast of people.

@alexgulino335

3y↑13

This is close to my review of the audiobooks lol. I might have stretched it on for another 2 paragraphs gushing though >.>

He's so good that when I rewatched the movies I thought scenes were missing because of realistically I'd imagined the scenes with the actors bc of his voice work. It was incredible... was like listening to 25-30 hour movies with full a-list casts

@iamvangarnett

3y↑9

@Alex Gulino Don't take this as some kind of weird flex, but I've listened to the audiobook series through at least 120 times. Not only that I would listen to one over and over again when it came out. Then when chamber came out I would listen to one and then two. but as command came out it would be one two and three over and over again so you can imagine how many times I've listened to those first three or four books.
The reason I bring it up is over time I noticed many little details. Not the least of which is that Jim Dale subtly ages Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the rest of the kids voices. So if you listen and book one they sound like children. Book five they're definitely deeper teenage voices. And by hallows they sound almost adult. It's a very amazing detail that he included.

@dannyjorde2677

3y↑15

Disagreed. Stephen Fry is so much better as a narrator.

@mattparris1071

3y↑11

Jim Dale's Hermione is possibly the worst thing to exist, and as a main voice, I really dont like that. The only characters I liked him do was Hargrid and Migonagall. I must default to Stephen Frye. I love everyone he does, and his cadence is much smoother.

@XeiDaMoKaFE

3y↑2

ive listen to the books 30+ times , from 3 diferent languages, in english from both fry and jim , and let me tell you , im gonna edit all the audiobooks with ambient sound depending on the scene and add sound effects from fry version , its just perfect

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@ZallCaTor

3y↑9

Stephen Fry's voice just gives me that nostalgic warmth. I remember many a wonderful winter snuggled up late at night listening to it in my bed.
He has such a wonderful range and energy for each character. You can't beat it.

@Nixaerys

41w↑4

I had never been able to personally read the books growing up cuz i was not allowed. It wasn't until 2015-2016 when i subscribed to audible as an adult in my 20s and started getting the audiobooks one by one monthly. I can't even put into words how amazed I was by each one, even tho i had watched all the movies sooo many times. I loved them so much that i kept repeating them over and over plus adding the newest acquisition into the order as months passed by and then repeat. By now i can honestly say i have listened to each book over 20 times since then. Compared to other audiobooks I've acquired, I absolutely love how well acted Jim's voices are, making each character very distinguishable and also making all the sarcasm/irony in the story sound so naturally hilarious. I'll never stop loving the wizarding world ❤✨

@holliewynter4894

3y↑41

Ive listened to both of them always liked Jim Dale more because of the way he does voices he does for the characters are more theatrical in my opinion, but they are both amazing.

@LtSheppardXxL

36w↑1

bro, hagrid sounds like a 72 year old grandmother asking for a cuppa when dale reads him.. its terrible

@user-em8fn4is5n

3y↑34

Jim Dale for me!!! I have listened to him since I was 8 years old. But I did not imagine Jim Dale to be that old 👵! Jim Dale 👑

@timsimmons4283

3y↑63

They are both great but I am a Fry man through and through.

@grasshopperye3593

36w↑7

I actually love Jim Dale's voices, his character voices are so separate and consistent, and his narration is so even and clear. I feel transported the minute I hear him. I love it. Feels like the books come to life.

@martavdz4972

3y↑17

It's so nice to see people commenting on which one they prefer, and the score being about 50:50 at the moment. It means the narrators have done different, but excellent jobs :-)

@bonniefarley5394

3y↑30

Jim Dale for me. I find he has more depth and does better character voices. I am biased as I loved him in the Carry On films and his narration of pushing daisies was brilliant.

@Liofa73

1y↑3

Absolutely not, Stephen Fry has way more range than Jim Dale. A lot of his characters sound the same.

@bonniefarley5394

@Liofa na

@DrRhyhm

1y↑1

@Bonnie Farley yes

@spinny003

3y↑21

I have listened to both in full, but Fry first. I personally prefer his versions. His audiobooks are quite raw as if you're granddad is reading the books to you. He adds this unique emotional tone that the other doesn't. Whereas Jim Dale's are more whimsical, and fantastical as if you're hearing an actual wizard reading to you. I love both dearly but I'm more familiar with Stephen Fry. I'm Irish and heard the British version when I was younger, that might be why.

@23RedTechno

3y↑27

Jim Dale is the best 😎

@google4204

3y↑2

That’s so weird to me but just opinion

@23RedTechno

@go ogle What ??
did you miss the point

@Liofa73

1y↑1

@23RedTechno --- I think you missed it...

@Tiresias55

4y↑69

Maybe it's because I've listened to each book read by Steven Fri, maybe it's because I'm more used to his voice and like his style, maybe it's just that after hearing one reader I'm forever biased against the other reader, but I personally think that Steven Fri makes reading HP a much more magnificent experience. His voices are varied, and each character sounds unique. Jim Dale though a good reader, never seems able to do this. His Uncle Vernan, Dudley and Petunia all sound very alike. But again, I tend to read a book with a certain reader, and stick with that reader throughout the series.

@souramalyapaul9505

3y↑2

I agree

@williamvouk2911

3y↑6

I think everyone has their own inherent bias from which they’ve heard first and/or more of—the one who introduced them to this world of wonder! I’ve always listened to Dale, and to me, all of Fry’s female voices sound very bizarre. I’m sure if he’s the one I’d listened to first, I’d have gotten used to this very quickly, preferred him by a long shot, and would probably even agree with your criticisms of Dale. But as I said, Dale introduced me to this world, and he’s the one I prefer (by a lot). Having said that, I do plan to listen to all of Fry on my next go through!

@alexgulino335

3y↑3

@William Vouk I would agree but I heard fry first and still prefer Dale oddly enough but its close! Fry just... doesn't quite match the actual characters as well it feels like from when I read the books. Fry's Vernon is threatening and shitty sure, but Dales voice highlights his petulance and underlying cowardice. Also, Dales voices are just a bit more outlandish which is normally too much except that it perfectly fits the HP universe with its naming conventions and mask of sillyness covering the dark undercurrents. A probity probe sounds ridiculous, then you think about it o.o lol

@hansyan8542

3y↑2

I feel the exact opposite lol

@davidalpeter9963

3y↑5

ive listened to both and not sure what your on about with the character voices, I think Jim Dale is Way more animated and his character voices are way more unique. Fry doesn't even change his voice for harry and alot are very similar. I do find his narration better though

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@Shannoncotto91

1y↑2

I think both sound fantastic, I could sit and listen to both for hours ❤

@DerekBoldiene360

4y↑42

Jim Dale for me.

@yusn2977

3y↑28

Fry nailed it for me

@user-um6sy7rt7g

3y↑2

I like Fry more because it gives more comfort and calmness to me whenever I listen to him. it's like listening to my grandfather telling me bedtime stories at night

@MattVibes

2y↑1

When I was little I listened to these millions of times (Stephen Fry) and always pictured all the actors in costumes sitting around on wooden chairs reading the books

@commandert5

3y↑10

There were a couple times that I wasn't paying full attention and didn't notice the change. They're both perfect

@commandert5

3y↑2

Stephen does a better Hagrid, though

@kentcarpenter42

1y↑1

@@commandert5 I would need to hear drunk Fry's drunk hagrid before I could concede the point there.

@highcommander2007

2y↑3

Thank you very much for this, I was trying to figure out which audiobook series I wanted to listen to. This helped me pick!! (for anyone curious, I decided with Jim... although Stephen's Hagrid is SPOT ON.

@nathanielgayle6310

50w↑2

Stephen fry's voice are actually incredible, I forget its a man im listening to at times.

@TheMechaMessiah

2y↑5

As an American who actually heard Stephen Fry first, I will always by a Fry Guy. Dale just doesn't have the same magic to me.

But, as others have said, your first is your love for many.

@SailingMelody

3y↑11

I like Steven Dale and Jim Fry equally ;)
for slightly different reasons and I think they do slightly better jobs on different characters.

I might take the time to edit together complete new audio book edits using Jim for some and Steven for others

@deprofundis3293

Oh my goodness! Could you please let me know if you end up actually doing that?? I'm listening to the audiobooks for the first time right now and can't pick a favorite (although I'm only a little ways into #2). But I don't really want to keep switching back and forth, lol. (I am very familiar with the books btw, just hadn't done the audiobooks before.)

@vemaniks

3y↑6

It really does depend on who you listened to first. Stephen Fry is fantastic, cant listen to Sherlock Holmes without his voice. I started the HP series with Jim Dale so I prefer his voice. With another audiobook series I loved, Legend of the Nameless Dwarf which was originally narrated by Bob Neufeld and is now sadly taken down because the author revised the series and had a new actor record it. Its not the same without Bob reading it.

@A.A_xv

2y↑3

I first listened to jim dale and I’ve gotten used to him ever since but Stephen fry also does an amazing job. I especially loved Stephen fry’s voice for aunt Muriel.

@eduardo_corrochio

3y↑14

Both are very enjoyable; I just wish Dale's was available to listen on YouTube.

@Blackfeet

3y↑1

It's just a Google search away...🏴‍☠️👀

@eduardo_corrochio

@Blackfeet I checked. No videos of his narrating the HP books are available online.

@biancalawrence3178

@Eduardo Corrochio Look at his flag.

@eduardo_corrochio

@Bianca Lawrence Sorry, what flag?

@glasssofOJ

2y↑1

@Eduardo Corrochio the pirate flag emote in his post aka him telling you to pirate the audiobook.

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@louisegogel7973

38w↑3

They’re both wonderful readers!
📚📕📖📙📖📘📖📗📔📚

@lanabouma4423

31w

Jim Dale was the only audio book I listened to. His voice is my comfort listening.

@Sadtato

2y↑8

I love both versions, but whenever I decide to listen to these books I find myself drawn to Stephen Fry.

His delivery is always spot on.

@NoudlePipW

3y↑19

Jim Dale does a different and lovely version, but for me there's an extra bit of comfort from Fry. I have to vote for Fry!

@LoveCrumb

2y↑7

Having listened to both, Fry's version is so much more like how I read the characters and story in my mind. His intonations, the personality he brings to each character, his levity, and perhaps most importantly, the depth and gravity he brings to the sadder or more intense scenes in the series has made Fry's version close to my heart. Somehow, Fry also manages to make the school-age characters sound young, and there's a youthfulness to Ron and Harry in particular that's lacking in Dale's version. Fry's voices (which you can hear for Dobby and Hagrid in this clip) are spot on, though my one criticism of Fry's version is that I'm not a fan of his Voldemort, even though it is accurate to the book's description of a high cold voice. I discovered Fry's version halfway through Chamber of Secrets, and I never looked back, and that's saying something, because Dale has a wonderful voice. Fry is simply more magical for me personally ;D

@avatar1997fortboni

4y↑40

Jim Dale forever

@dannyjorde2677

3y↑1

Haha you wish

@jessicaharris1608

2y↑2

Well crap! I can't decide. Both Fry and Dale are awesome. How am I supposed to decide which audiobook to buy? I have heard Dale first and Dale's narration of Pushing Daisies was great. Fry is fantastic also.

@bakachan_

It’s fascinating we’re all saying the same thing about both of them. Dale is it for me. The clarity and crispness of his voice, the shrillness of some of his characters and his wide range of pitch. The various accents he uses. Just all of it.

But I get how some people who have heard Fry
tell them the story first hear the same things in his voice. They’re both amazing.

@user-cu2dd2wx9s

3y↑10

I’ve always listened to Jim Dale and prefer him but honestly, Stephen’s version seem to sound great as well

@peter-8483

3y↑5

I love both, I currently only own the Stephan Fry versions but I’d like both to switch between them

@GJ1607.

28w↑2

Stephen could read the phone book and make it entertaining. I do hope he gets a role in the new tv series. The guys a genius

@robertstone1216

22w↑1

Having heard Dales voice over in the video games and then 15+ years later hearing him do the audio books- Dale thru and thru. But Fry seems enjoyable and his intonations are more story telling. Both amazing

@LyleFrancisDelp

42w↑1

I am in the US. IMO, there can be no contest. It is Stephen Fry. I can count myself so lucky to have found this edition online. I paid dearly, but it was worth it.

@helderboymh

3y↑15

6:15 Stephen Fry's Hagrid is sooo good.

@Liofa73

Because Fry was brought up in the East of England, he can just use the Norfolk accent for Hagrid.

@millabasset1710

Would listen to Jim Dale when I was 9 years old before going to sleep, good memories.

@laurelsouthall8638

2y↑1

I grew up with Jim dale him and the hp books are so nostalgic to me :)

@christopheraaron8299

I hadn't heard the Stephen Fry versions, but I'll have to download them and listen. It kind of reminds me of Douglas Adams reading his Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books.

@forbidden-snow

2y↑1

I still can’t decide which version of the Harry Potter audiobooks to get, I adore and enjoy both equally 😩

@addisonmcnutt6934

34w

I listen to Harry Potter (Jim Dale) at 1.5 speed and I was taken aback watching this video and hearing how slow it sounds. But Jim Dale is absolutely phenomenal.

@rachelwhite3286

I grew up with the books on tape with jim dale so he will always be my favorite

@BrentFoxhere

4y↑47

The energy from Fry is great, but I love the unique voices and cadence of Dale's characters.

@Duzell26

4y↑5

In my opinion, Fry succeeds more in making the voices unique, but everybody has different opinions 😄

@lachlantaylor1225

4y↑2

@Duzell26 100% agree, totally distinct voices from Fry, much better imo

@kiddykatnesscorral4613

4y↑3

Jim Dale is spot on for most of the diffrent voices from the movies, all of witch are different from his as the narrator. Im very glad Audible choose him and his "preformances" for their unabridged reader of all the Potter novels. Frys voices all have the same tone as his own does, nice as it is .

@loremuzel1845

3y↑1

@KiddyKatness Corral In this example Dale's Lucius Malfoy and Dale's Dobby sound almost exactly identical.

@Valdaur

3y↑2

@Lore Müzel Same with Petunia and Vernon, there's like no difference lol. Stephen Fry definitely has more varied voices, no contest.

4 More Replies...

@barbjohnson2978

3y↑10

Jim Dale will always be my favorite

@dihydrogenmonoxide2878

2y↑2

Jim dale talked to me more as a child then my parents did.

@seannoble3235

2y↑4

To me when i hear Fry it sounds like someone reading the book but when i hear Dale it sounds like a performance, between his pacing and unique voices it just works for me.

@splendisdude

39w↑2

Fry all the way! I listen to him every night to fall asleep. I feel that he is my uncle, or grandpa or something.

@DudeJunks

2y↑2

I love Stephen Fry's version so much! Unfortunately it's region-locked and I can't pay for it... so I had to aquire through other means... ahem! Anyway, I would love to pay for the full set if Amazon would let me 😢

@sportscommentaries4396

15w

I would like to listen to Jim Dale‘s version again, I can’t find it anywhere

@dweeb4

2y↑1

My first time listening to the books, I used any audiobook I could get my hands on (I hadn’t found the website I use now so I was using all different platforms). This resulted in listening to Fry 1-3, and Dale 4-7. When I went back to listen a second time, I ultimately chose Dale. It was kind of an accident, I didn’t know who was who, and I didn’t care enough to figure out which one I was looking for. I think I might have actually wanted Fry. Since then, I have listened to Jim Dales narration probably a million and one times. Every time I listen to Stephen Fry, I recognize that it’s good (and I like the little British details, they make me laugh lol)- but I find myself wanting to switch to Jim Dale. It’s just homey for me at this point honestly!! The second I hear his voice a little wave of calm washes over me lmao

@coachandresc3066

3y↑5

Fry Fry Fry Fry!

@FluffySylveonBoi

4y↑41

I prefer Fry, but both did a good job :)

@lachlantaylor1225

4y↑7

@yo dude Fry is THE official voice and always has been for the UK version, his nuanced english accent is perfect for it and has done plenty of audiobooks before...as narrator, author and TV presenter, he has the skill to back it up

@DomeDefenderinmylife

4y↑2

Yeah I agree I like Stephen fry better

@n7elite259

3y↑3

I listened to Stephen fry first and I have to say he does the best when it comes to emotions and imitating the characters, but Jim Dale is the better Narrator and it helps that I recognize his voice from the Harry Potter DVD menu

@thathorrorguy1748

They start both soooo good.

@burntwaffles9950

I listen to both of them for many years and many many times. I always have them on the background when I play relaxing city building game or the sims where I create Harry Potter characters. I think Stephen Fry is more dramatic, more emotional, he does the best female voices, like angry Hermione, Molly, Mcgonagall. I laugh soo hard when I listen to him. Jim Dale has the better speaking voice in general in my opinion. His tone is softer and more soothing, I listen to him at night close to bed time. I also have his Weasley is our king stuck in my head all the time. They're both phenomenal and I can't pick a favorite. Just depends on my mood.

@harlee886

I listened to Jim Dale... but I'm sold on Stephen. The drama!!

@arpitjaiswal9515

Just listen to any of them without thinking who is better because both are really good and it's impossible to select. Just flip a coin and decide without thinking too much

@AmeliaOak

As someone who has never heard either of these…
Both are freaking great!

@estarramanderley8172

I've listened to neither until today. It's one of the only examples where I stuck to the version in my my mothertongue even though the original is in English.

@LittleBrittixoye

1y↑1

I like the voices of Jim Dale better, and yes I like how one person says "with Fry you feel like someone who is reading Harry Potter but with Dale you are in Harry Potter

@j5892000

Omg this voice! This book! I remember!

@amburr7814

3y↑1

JIM DALE!! I love him

@BroScro

to me it shouldn’t be so much a discussion of which voice is better, but of the compression and clarity in the audio file. jim dale’s recording is an obvious win.

@Liofa73

Fry's voice is way clearer on good recordings. Dale mumbles a lot and has that speech impediment with his Rs.

@ArtemisWasHere

1y↑1

The Stephen Fry versions aren’t available in canada, this makes me very sad

@Mansoor765

1y↑4

I think Stephen Fry imitated character pretty well than Jim Dale ever did.

@arcticfirefly5777

2y↑1

I love how both narrators give different versions.
You could probably listen to a book read by one of them, and instantly start it over again with the other, and still be as interested as the first time.
I've only fully listened to Jim Dale's, but I'm about to start the series with Stephen Fry now.

@ThreadBomb

3y↑1

Jim Dale - the voice of Pushing Daisies!

@CaesarsLegion1

3y↑29

I'd say Stephen Fry is more clearer, but I'd say Jim is better with the less authoritative characters.

@spinny003

3y↑3

Yeah, that's it. I agree. Stephen Fry's voice is stern a lot of the time, but can be gentle as well. Whereas Jim Dale's voice is gentler most of the time.

@souramalyapaul9505

And Hagrid's voice is also like the actor who played Hagrid in the movies

@anweshagupta9816

39w

Stephen Fry is my absolute favourite when it comes to Harry Potter Audio books

@mistertwister2000

2y↑3

I’m in such a weird place because I think Dale has a better voice for narrating but Fry does a better job for voices. I listened to the Dale ones first but I’ve always loved Stephen Fry.

I genuinely can’t choose which I think is better

@TC-tl8ie

2y↑1

Jim Dale was always my guy, but the deciding factor was the infamous line "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!", in which Stephen Fry won.

@HT_Ray

39w

So good...

@carstenaltvater

2y↑1

The problem is:everything read by Stephen Fry sounds like a forgotten part of Harry Potter to me, having listened to him reading these books for the last twenty years. Just listened to „Paddington“ to prove it. But I admit, its always a great pleasure….. could also read the London telephone register!-)

@toodamnicycold

There's something weird with the audible recordings of Jim dales Harry Potter. It's like they've been edited to a higher pitch or something but it sounds weird.

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