
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
Gallery



Known For
Acting History
2025
John Cleese Packs It In
2025Fawlty Towers: The Play as Self
2025The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2024The Roast of John Cleese as Self
2023The Dinosaur Hour Extra
2023The Dinosaur Hour as Self
2023The Palace as Arthur William Dallas III
2023The Martini Shot as Dr. Auyeung
2023Rally Road Racers as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
2023Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
2022Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
2021Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
2021Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
2021Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
2021Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
2021Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2021LOL: Last One Laughing as Self
2020The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
2020Why there is no hope as Actor
2020Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp as Self
2020Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness as Self
2019Assholes: A Theory as Himself
2019Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
2019Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
2019The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
2019An Accidental Studio as Self (archive footage)
2018Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
2018Why Are We Creative? as Self
2018Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
2018Hold the Sunset as Phil
2018Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2016Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
2016Speechless as Martin
2016British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2016John Bishop: In Conversation with... as Self
2016Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
2015The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
2015Behind Over the Garden Wall as Self
2015A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
2015Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
2014A Life on Screen as Self
2014Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2014Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
2014Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
2014Over the Garden Wall as Adelaide (voice)
2014Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
2014Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
2014Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
2013The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
2013Planes as Bulldog (voice)
2013Spud 2: The Madness Continues as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2013The Last Leg as Self
2012The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
2012Anatomy of a Liar as Self
2012A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
2012God Loves Caviar as McCormick
2011The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
2011Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
2011Whitney as Dr. Grant
2011Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
2011John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2011The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
2011Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
2010Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2010Shrek Forever After as King Harold (voice)
2010Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
2009Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
2009Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
2009Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
2009Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
2009Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation as Self - Contestant
2009The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
2009Skavlan as Self - Guest
2008The Day the Earth Stood Still as Professor Barnhardt
2008We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
2008Gaybo Laughs Back as Self
2008Igor as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
2008Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
2008The Seventh Python as Self
2008Markus Lanz as Self
2008Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
2008Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
2008Monty Python Conquers America as Self
2007More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
2007Movie Connections as Self
2007Shrek the Third as King Harold (voice)
2007Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007The Graham Norton Show as Self - Guest
2007The Graham Norton Show as Self
2007The Secret Life of Brian as Self
2007What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
2006Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)
2006Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
2006Legends as Self
2006Robins as Self - Guest
2006The One Show as Self - Guest
2006L'Entente cordiale as Lord Conrad
2006Man About Town as Dr. Primkin
2006The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
2006Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
2005Return of the Goodies as Himself
2005Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
2005The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
2005Valiant as Mercury (voice)
2005The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Himself
2005Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
2004Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
2004Wine for the Confused as Self
2004Entourage as John Cleese
2004Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
2004The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
2004Shrek 2 as King Harold (voice)
2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
2003Concert for George as Self
2003The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
2003George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
2003Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle as Mr. Munday
2003Scorched as Charles Merchant
2003Real Time with Bill Maher as Self
2003Stupidity as Self
2002Best Ever Bond as Self / R
2002Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
2002Die Another Day as Q
2002Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
2002Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
2002The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
2002NDR Kultur – Das Journal as Self
2002Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
2002Making Rat Race as Himself
2002Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self
2001Richard & Judy as Self
2001Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
2001Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
2001Rat Race as Donald P. Sinclair
2001The Human Face as Presenter
2001Disney's House of Mouse
2001Disney's House of Mouse as Narrator (voice)
2001Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi
2000The Magic Pudding as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
2000Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big as The Giant Alien (voice)
2000The Life of Python as Self
2000Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
2000Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
2000Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn as Self
2000Rockstar as Interviewer in lounge
1999The World Is Not Enough as R
1999The Nutcracker as Narrator
1999Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
1999Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
1999The Monty Python Story as Self
1999Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
1999Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
1999Mickey Mouse Works as Narrator (voice)
1999The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
1999The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
1999Casper & Mandrilaftalen as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
1998Will & Grace as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
1998In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
1998Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
1998Parkinson as Self
1997George of the Jungle as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
1997Fierce Creatures as Rollo Lee
1996The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
1996E! True Hollywood Story
1996The Daily Show as Self
1996Spike as Himself
19963rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Liam Neesam
1995MADtv as Self
1995Look at the State We're In! as Harold Kingsby
1995Look at the State We're In! as Politician
1994The Jungle Book as Dr. Julius Plumford
1994The Swan Princess as Jean-Bob (voice)
1994Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as Prof. Waldman
1993Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1993Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
1992Funny Business
1991Amnesty International's Big 30 as Self
1991An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as Cat R. Waul (voice)
1991Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb as Narrator (voice)
1990The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson as Self
1990Bullseye! as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
1990Life of Python as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
1989Quark the Dragon Slayer
1989Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
1989The Big Picture as Bartender
1989Erik the Viking as Halfdan the Black
1989The Movie Life of George as Self
1989Employees From Hell as Brian
1989Bosses From Hell as Brian
1989The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
1989Customers From Hell as Brian
1989Communicators From Hell as Brian
1988This Morning as Self
1988A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
1988John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
1987Quark and the Highway Robber
1987Baby Quark
1987Dragonslayer Quark
1987The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
1987The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
1986Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
1985Silverado as Sheriff John T. Langston
1985Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
1983Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
1983Group Madness as Self
1983Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
1983Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack
1982Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
1982Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
1982Wogan as Self
1982Whoops Apocalypse as Lacrobat
1982The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
1981Time Bandits as Robin Hood
1981The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
1981Wetten, dass..? as Self
1980The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
1980Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
1980The Queen Special as Man in Bar
1980The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
1979The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
1979Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
1979Golden Gordon as Passerby
1979Not the Nine O'Clock News
1979Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
1979The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
1979...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
1979Away from It All as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
1978An Audience with... as Self
1977The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It as Sherlock Holmes
1977The Mermaid Frolics as Self- Various roles
1977Three Piece Suite as Kevin
1976Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
1976The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
1976The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
1976Ripping Yarns
1976Meetings, Bloody Meetings
1975How Not to Exhibit Yourself as John Cleese
1975More Awkward Customers as Brian
1975Awkward Customers as Brian
1975Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975Fawlty Towers as Basil Fawlty
1975Monty 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
1975Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
1974Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
1974Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
1973Is This a Record? as Various
1973Monty Python In The Netherlands
1973Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
1973The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
1972Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
1972Who Sold You This, Then?
1971The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971And 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
1971Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1971The Statue as Harry
1970The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
1970Monty Python: Who's There? as Timothy
1969The Magic Christian as Director in Sotheby's
1969Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / Announcer
1969The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)
1969Sez Les
1969Sez Les as self
1969How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
1968The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
1968Interlude as Television public relations man
1967Omnibus as Self
1967Misleading Cases as Mr. Partridge
1967At Last the 1948 Show
1966The Frost Report
1963Doctor Who as Art Gallery Visitor
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
1961The 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








