John Cleese

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

1939-10-27

Place of Birth

Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK

John Cleese

Biography

John Marwood Cleese (born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, writer and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report. In the late 1960s he became a member of Monty Python, the comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus and the four Monty Python films: And Now for Something Completely Different, Holy Grail, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life. In the mid 1970s, Cleese and his first wife Connie Booth, co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. Later, he co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis and former Python colleague Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures. He also starred in Clockwise, and has appeared in many other films, including two James Bond films, two Harry Potter films, and three Shrek films. With Yes Minister writer Antony Jay he co-founded the production company Video Arts, responsible for making entertaining training films. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Cleese, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

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Acting History

2025
John Cleese Packs It In
2025
Fawlty Towers: The Play as Self
2025
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2024
The Roast of John Cleese as Self
2023
The Dinosaur Hour Extra
2023
The Dinosaur Hour as Self
2023
The Palace as Arthur William Dallas III
2023
The Martini Shot as Dr. Auyeung
2023
Rally Road Racers as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
2023
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
2022
Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
2021
Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
2021
Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
2021
Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
2021
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
2021
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2021
LOL: Last One Laughing as Self
2020
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
2020
Why there is no hope as Actor
2020
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp as Self
2020
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness as Self
2019
Assholes: A Theory as Himself
2019
Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
2019
The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
2019
An Accidental Studio as Self (archive footage)
2018
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
2018
Why Are We Creative? as Self
2018
Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
2018
Hold the Sunset as Phil
2018
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2016
Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
2016
Speechless as Martin
2016
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2016
John Bishop: In Conversation with... as Self
2016
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
2015
Behind Over the Garden Wall as Self
2015
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
2015
Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
2014
A Life on Screen as Self
2014
Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
2014
Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
2014
Over the Garden Wall as Adelaide (voice)
2014
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
2013
The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
2013
Planes as Bulldog (voice)
2013
Spud 2: The Madness Continues as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2013
The Last Leg as Self
2012
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
2012
Anatomy of a Liar as Self
2012
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
2012
God Loves Caviar as McCormick
2011
The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
2011
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
2011
Whitney as Dr. Grant
2011
Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
2011
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2011
The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
2011
Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
2010
Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2010
Shrek Forever After as King Harold (voice)
2010
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
2009
Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
2009
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
2009
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
2009
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation as Self - Contestant
2009
The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
2009
Skavlan as Self - Guest
2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still as Professor Barnhardt
2008
We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
2008
Gaybo Laughs Back as Self
2008
Igor as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
2008
The Seventh Python as Self
2008
Markus Lanz as Self
2008
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
2008
Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
2008
Monty Python Conquers America as Self
2007
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
2007
Movie Connections as Self
2007
Shrek the Third as King Harold (voice)
2007
Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007
The Graham Norton Show as Self - Guest
2007
The Graham Norton Show as Self
2007
The Secret Life of Brian as Self
2007
What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
2006
Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)
2006
Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
2006
Legends as Self
2006
Robins as Self - Guest
2006
The One Show as Self - Guest
2006
L'Entente cordiale as Lord Conrad
2006
Man About Town as Dr. Primkin
2006
The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
2005
Return of the Goodies as Himself
2005
Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
2005
The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
2005
Valiant as Mercury (voice)
2005
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Himself
2005
Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
2004
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
2004
Wine for the Confused as Self
2004
Entourage as John Cleese
2004
Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
2004
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
2004
Shrek 2 as King Harold (voice)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
2003
Concert for George as Self
2003
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
2003
George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
2003
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle as Mr. Munday
2003
Scorched as Charles Merchant
2003
Real Time with Bill Maher as Self
2003
Stupidity as Self
2002
Best Ever Bond as Self / R
2002
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
2002
Die Another Day as Q
2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
2002
Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
2002
The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
2002
NDR Kultur – Das Journal as Self
2002
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
2002
Making Rat Race as Himself
2002
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self
2001
Richard & Judy as Self
2001
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
2001
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
2001
Rat Race as Donald P. Sinclair
2001
The Human Face as Presenter
2001
Disney's House of Mouse
2001
Disney's House of Mouse as Narrator (voice)
2001
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi
2000
The Magic Pudding as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
2000
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big as The Giant Alien (voice)
2000
The Life of Python as Self
2000
Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
2000
Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
2000
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn as Self
2000
Rockstar as Interviewer in lounge
1999
The World Is Not Enough as R
1999
The Nutcracker as Narrator
1999
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
1999
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
1999
The Monty Python Story as Self
1999
Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
1999
Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
1999
Mickey Mouse Works as Narrator (voice)
1999
The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
1999
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
1999
Casper & Mandrilaftalen as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
1998
Will & Grace as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
1998
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
1998
Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
1998
Parkinson as Self
1997
George of the Jungle as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
1997
Fierce Creatures as Rollo Lee
1996
The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
1996
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
The Daily Show as Self
1996
Spike as Himself
1996
3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Liam Neesam
1995
MADtv as Self
1995
Look at the State We're In! as Harold Kingsby
1995
Look at the State We're In! as Politician
1994
The Jungle Book as Dr. Julius Plumford
1994
The Swan Princess as Jean-Bob (voice)
1994
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as Prof. Waldman
1993
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1993
Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
1992
Funny Business
1991
Amnesty International's Big 30 as Self
1991
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as Cat R. Waul (voice)
1991
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb as Narrator (voice)
1990
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson as Self
1990
Bullseye! as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
1990
Life of Python as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
1989
Quark the Dragon Slayer
1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
1989
The Big Picture as Bartender
1989
Erik the Viking as Halfdan the Black
1989
The Movie Life of George as Self
1989
Employees From Hell as Brian
1989
Bosses From Hell as Brian
1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
1989
Customers From Hell as Brian
1989
Communicators From Hell as Brian
1988
This Morning as Self
1988
A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
1988
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
1987
Quark and the Highway Robber
1987
Baby Quark
1987
Dragonslayer Quark
1987
The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
1987
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
1986
Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
1985
Silverado as Sheriff John T. Langston
1985
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
1983
Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
1983
Group Madness as Self
1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
1983
Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack
1982
Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
1982
Wogan as Self
1982
Whoops Apocalypse as Lacrobat
1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
1981
Time Bandits as Robin Hood
1981
The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
1981
Wetten, dass..? as Self
1980
The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
1980
Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
1980
The Queen Special as Man in Bar
1980
The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
1979
Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
1979
Golden Gordon as Passerby
1979
Not the Nine O'Clock News
1979
Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
1979
...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
1979
Away from It All as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
1978
An Audience with... as Self
1977
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It as Sherlock Holmes
1977
The Mermaid Frolics as Self- Various roles
1977
Three Piece Suite as Kevin
1976
Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
1976
The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
1976
The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
1976
Ripping Yarns
1976
Meetings, Bloody Meetings
1975
How Not to Exhibit Yourself as John Cleese
1975
More Awkward Customers as Brian
1975
Awkward Customers as Brian
1975
Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
Fawlty Towers as Basil Fawlty
1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grail as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
1975
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
1974
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
1974
Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
1973
Is This a Record? as Various
1973
Monty Python In The Netherlands
1973
Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
1973
The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
1972
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
1972
Who Sold You This, Then?
1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
And Now for Something Completely Different as Announcer / Hungarian Citizen / self - Defence Teacher / Sir George Head / Policeman / Interviewer / Mr. Praline / Second General / Christopher Columbus / Mungo the Cook / Bank Robber / Accountant #2 (falling past the window) / Vocational Guidance Counselor / Vivian Smith Smythe Smith / Mountie / Town Guild Lady
1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1971
The Statue as Harry
1970
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
1970
Monty Python: Who's There? as Timothy
1969
The Magic Christian as Director in Sotheby's
1969
Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / Announcer
1969
The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)
1969
Sez Les
1969
Sez Les as self
1969
How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
1968
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
1968
Interlude as Television public relations man
1967
Omnibus as Self
1967
Misleading Cases as Mr. Partridge
1967
At Last the 1948 Show
1966
The Frost Report
1963
Doctor Who as Art Gallery Visitor
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
1961
The Avengers as Marcus Rugman
How to Make Her Cheat as Terry
Taking The Wheel as Nathan
The Philosophers' Football Match as Archimedes
Untitled Fawlty Towers Reboot as Basil Fawlty
Cancel Me as Self - Host / Presenter