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John Cleese

Born: 1939

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
Known For Acting
Gender Male
Place of Birth Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK

Resources

Movies

Life of Brian

Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur in Life of Brian

A Fish Called Wanda

Archie Leach in A Fish Called Wanda

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas) in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Shrek Forever After

King Harold (voice) in Shrek Forever After

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Professor Barnhardt in The Day the Earth Stood Still

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter in Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Around the World in 80 Days

Grizzled Sergeant in Around the World in 80 Days

Shrek the Third

King Harold (voice) in Shrek the Third

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Prof. Waldman in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Shrek 2

King Harold (voice) in Shrek 2

George of the Jungle

An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice) in George of the Jungle

The Jungle Book

Dr. Julius Plumford in The Jungle Book

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Various Roles in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Scorched

Charles Merchant in Scorched

Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

Self in Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

Splitting Heirs

Raoul P. Shadgrind in Splitting Heirs

Daddy Daughter Trip

Frank in Daddy Daughter Trip

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse

Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') in Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse

The Adventures of Pluto Nash

James in The Adventures of Pluto Nash

The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It

Sherlock Holmes in The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It

L'Entente cordiale

Lord Conrad in L'Entente cordiale

Yellowbeard

Harvey 'Blind' Pew in Yellowbeard

The Magic Christian

Director in Sotheby's in The Magic Christian

The Swan Princess

Jean-Bob (voice) in The Swan Princess

Quantum Project

Alexander Pentcho in Quantum Project

Mickey's House of Villains

Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited) in Mickey's House of Villains

Clockwise

Brian Stimpson in Clockwise

Silverado

Sheriff John T. Langston in Silverado

Romance with a Double Bass

Smychkov in Romance with a Double Bass

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Various Roles in Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Fierce Creatures

Rollo Lee in Fierce Creatures

The Out-of-Towners

Mr. Mersault in The Out-of-Towners

George of the Jungle 2

An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice) in George of the Jungle 2

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Mr. Munday in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

And Now for Something Completely Different

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 in And Now for Something Completely Different

The Magic Pudding

Albert the Magic Pudding (voice) in The Magic Pudding

Man About Town

Dr. Primkin in Man About Town

Life Of Brian Screenplay

Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion in Life Of Brian Screenplay

Monty Python's Flying Circus - Graham Chapman's Personal Best

Various Characters in Monty Python's Flying Circus - Graham Chapman's Personal Best

Charlotte's Web

Samuel the Sheep (voice) in Charlotte's Web

Rat Race

Donald P. Sinclair in Rat Race

Valiant

Mercury (voice) in Valiant

Wine for the Confused

Self in Wine for the Confused

Igor

Dr. Glickenstein (voice) in Igor

The World Is Not Enough

R in The World Is Not Enough

Die Another Day

Q in Die Another Day

Time Bandits

Robin Hood in Time Bandits

Stupidity

Self in Stupidity

The Great Muppet Caper

Neville in The Great Muppet Caper

The Pink Panther 2

Dreyfus in The Pink Panther 2

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

Self in Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

Spud

Mr. 'The Guv' Edly in Spud

Planet 51

Professor Kipple (voice) in Planet 51

The Wind in the Willows

Mr. Toad's Lawyer in The Wind in the Willows

Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius

Interviewee in Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius

The Art of Football from A to Z

Self in The Art of Football from A to Z

Hitler: The Comedy Years

Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited) in Hitler: The Comedy Years

How to Irritate People

Himself - Various in How to Irritate People

Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff

Self in Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff

Winnie the Pooh

Narrator (voice) in Winnie the Pooh

The Taming of the Shrew

Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew

Is This a Record?

Various in Is This a Record?

Privates on Parade

Major Giles Flack in Privates on Parade

The Secret Life of Brian

Self in The Secret Life of Brian

Isn't She Great

Henry Marcus in Isn't She Great

How Not to Exhibit Yourself

John Cleese in How Not to Exhibit Yourself

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure

Narrator in Beethoven's Christmas Adventure

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Himself - Various Roles in The Secret Policeman's Ball

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Self - Various Roles in The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

Self in Pleasure at Her Majesty's

The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball

Jim Cleese in The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

Self in The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

Self in The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer

Pumer in The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer

John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live

in John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live

Life of Python

Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage) in Life of Python

Parting Shots

Maurice Walpole in Parting Shots

A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

Various (voice) in A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

Who Sold You This, Then?

in Who Sold You This, Then?

Planes

Bulldog (voice) in Planes

Quark the Dragon Slayer

in Quark the Dragon Slayer

The Statue

Harry in The Statue

Spud 2: The Madness Continues

The Guv in Spud 2: The Madness Continues

The Palace

Arthur William Dallas III in The Palace

Why Are We (Not) Creative?

Self in Why Are We (Not) Creative?

The Funny Blokes of British Comedy

Himself in The Funny Blokes of British Comedy

The Magic Touch of Harry Potter

Self in The Magic Touch of Harry Potter

How to Make Her Cheat

Terry in How to Make Her Cheat

Anatomy of a Liar

Self in Anatomy of a Liar

Fawlty Towers Revisited

Himself in Fawlty Towers Revisited

Interlude

Television public relations man in Interlude

The Seventh Python

Self in The Seventh Python

The Martini Shot

Dr. Auyeung in The Martini Shot

Absolutely Anything

Chief Alien (voice) in Absolutely Anything

Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness

Self in Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

Self / Various Characters in Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

Self, others in Monty Python Live (Mostly)

Rally Road Racers

Archie Vainglorious (voice) in Rally Road Racers

Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe

Self in Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe

Erik the Viking

Halfdan the Black in Erik the Viking

Baby Quark

in Baby Quark

Dragonslayer Quark

in Dragonslayer Quark

Quark and the Highway Robber

in Quark and the Highway Robber

Euroshow '71: May Day Special

Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus) in Euroshow '71: May Day Special

God Loves Caviar

McCormick in God Loves Caviar

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Cat R. Waul (voice) in An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Nuclear Bogeyheads

bogeyhead in Nuclear Bogeyheads

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

in Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Spud 3: Learning to Fly

The Guv in Spud 3: Learning to Fly

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

Self / Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

The Tom Machine

Computer (voice) in The Tom Machine

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Nearly Headless Nick in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Amnesty International's Big 30

Self in Amnesty International's Big 30

The Best House in London

Jones in The Best House in London

The Love Ban

Contraceptives Lecturer in The Love Ban

Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

Self in Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

...To Norway, Home of Giants!

Norman Fearless in ...To Norway, Home of Giants!

Best Ever Bond

Self / R in Best Ever Bond

Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

Self in Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

We Are Most Amused

Self - Presenter in We Are Most Amused

The  Roast of John Cleese

Self in The Roast of John Cleese

Doctor Who: City of Death

Art Gallery Visitor in Doctor Who: City of Death

The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

Self in The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big

The Giant Alien (voice) in Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big

Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

Self in Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

The Big Picture

Bartender in The Big Picture

Taking The Wheel

Nathan in Taking The Wheel

Get Squirrely

Mr. Bellwood (voice) in Get Squirrely

The Grand Knockout Tournament

Self in The Grand Knockout Tournament

Away from It All

Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice) in Away from It All

Trolls

Roi Gristle (voice) in Trolls

The South Bank Show: John Cleese

in The South Bank Show: John Cleese

The South Bank Show: Spamalot

in The South Bank Show: Spamalot

Arctic Dogs

Otto von Walrus (voice) in Arctic Dogs

Golden Gordon

Passerby in Golden Gordon

Bullseye!

Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese in Bullseye!

In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese

Self in In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese

The Movie Life of George

Self in The Movie Life of George

The Roots of Monty Python

Self (archive footage) in The Roots of Monty Python

Meetings, Bloody Meetings

in Meetings, Bloody Meetings

An Accidental Studio

Self (archive footage) in An Accidental Studio

Elementary, My Dear Watson

Sherlock Holmes in Elementary, My Dear Watson

Monty Python In The Netherlands

in Monty Python In The Netherlands

What the Pythons Did Next...

Self (archive footage) in What the Pythons Did Next...

Awkward Customers

Brian in Awkward Customers

More Awkward Customers

Brian in More Awkward Customers

Return of the Goodies

Himself in Return of the Goodies

British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves

Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited) in British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves

Albion: The Enchanted Stallion

General Eeder in Albion: The Enchanted Stallion

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

Donner (voice) in Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

Charming

Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice) in Charming

Peter Cook & Co.

Himself / Various Characters in Peter Cook & Co.

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

Self (archive footage) in The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

Self (archive footage) in The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

Self (archive footage) in The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

The Meaning of Monty Python

Self in The Meaning of Monty Python

Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn

Self in Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn

The Monty Python Story

Self in The Monty Python Story

Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

Self in Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

Self in Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

The Undefeated

Self (archive footage) in The Undefeated

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

in Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker

Self in The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker

Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

Self in Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

Monty Python Conquers America

Self in Monty Python Conquers America

The Naked Wanderer

Brian King in The Naked Wanderer

Rockstar

Interviewer in lounge in Rockstar

Group Madness

Self in Group Madness

The Nutcracker

Narrator in The Nutcracker

The Big Year

Historical Montage Narrator (voice) in The Big Year

Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

Self in Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

The Life of Python

Self in The Life of Python

Assholes: A Theory

Himself in Assholes: A Theory

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee

John in The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee

John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

Self in John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

Spike

Himself in Spike

Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

Self (archive footage) in Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

Complete Guide to Guys

Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon in Complete Guide to Guys

The Queen Special

Man in Bar in The Queen Special

Monty Python: Who's There?

Timothy in Monty Python: Who's There?

Behind Over the Garden Wall

Self in Behind Over the Garden Wall

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

in The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp

Self in Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom

Post Office Clerk in The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom

The Mermaid Frolics

Self- Various roles in The Mermaid Frolics

Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits

Self / Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits

Father Christmas Is Back

John Christmas in Father Christmas Is Back

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Mr. Bridwell in Clifford the Big Red Dog

Die Another Day: From Script to Screen

Self in Die Another Day: From Script to Screen

Monty Python: Live at Aspen

Self in Monty Python: Live at Aspen

Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

Self (archive footage)(uncredited) in Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

Concert for George

Self in Concert for George

Three Piece Suite

Kevin in Three Piece Suite

Making Rat Race

Himself in Making Rat Race

Rabbit Ears -  Tom Thumb

Narrator (voice) in Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb

Bosses From Hell

Brian in Bosses From Hell

Customers From Hell

Brian in Customers From Hell

Communicators From Hell

Brian in Communicators From Hell

Employees From Hell

Brian in Employees From Hell

Monty Python: Almost the Truth  (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release

Self in Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release

TV Shows

Monty Python's Flying Circus

Various / Announcer in Monty Python's Flying Circus

At Last the 1948 Show

in At Last the 1948 Show

The One Show

Self - Guest in The One Show

Doctor Who

Art Gallery Visitor in Doctor Who

Monty Python's Personal Best

Self / Various Characters in Monty Python's Personal Best

Entourage

John Cleese in Entourage

Fawlty Towers

Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers

Disney's House of Mouse

in Disney's House of Mouse

The Avengers

Marcus Rugman in The Avengers

E! True Hollywood Story

in E! True Hollywood Story

Whoops Apocalypse

in Whoops Apocalypse

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Self in The Secret Policeman's Ball

The Goodies

in The Goodies

Richard & Judy

Self in Richard & Judy

Will & Grace

Lyle Finster (uncredited) in Will & Grace

The Muppet Show

Self - Special Guest Star in The Muppet Show

MADtv

Self in MADtv

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Self in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Robins

Self - Guest in Robins

The Frost Report

in The Frost Report

Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)

Red Lansing in Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)

Movie Connections

Self in Movie Connections

More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy

in More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy

The Human Face

Presenter in The Human Face

The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn

Self in The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn

BBC Television Shakespeare

in BBC Television Shakespeare

Casper & Mandrilaftalen

Fake Bosse Bo Johansson in Casper & Mandrilaftalen

Look at the State We're In!

Minister in Look at the State We're In!

LOL: Last One Laughing

Self in LOL: Last One Laughing

Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)

Self in Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)

Whitney

Dr. Grant in Whitney

Misleading Cases

Mr. Partridge in Misleading Cases

The Daily Show

Self in The Daily Show

Skavlan

Self - Guest in Skavlan

The Graham Norton Show

Self - Guest in The Graham Norton Show

Sez Les

in Sez Les

Wetten, dass..?

Self in Wetten, dass..?

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

Various Characters in Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

Not the Nine O'Clock News

in Not the Nine O'Clock News

Ripping Yarns

in Ripping Yarns

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Self in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

An Audience with...

Self in An Audience with...

The Graham Norton Show

Self in The Graham Norton Show

Funny Business

in Funny Business

Mickey Mouse Works

Narrator (voice) in Mickey Mouse Works

Hold the Sunset

Phil in Hold the Sunset

Wogan

Self in Wogan

The Dinosaur Hour

in The Dinosaur Hour

The Dinosaur Hour Extra

in The Dinosaur Hour Extra

A Life on Screen

Himself in A Life on Screen

3rd Rock from the Sun

Dr. Liam Neesam in 3rd Rock from the Sun

Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Narrator (voice) in Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Cancel Me

Self - Host / Presenter in Cancel Me

John Bishop: In Conversation With...

Self in John Bishop: In Conversation With...

Saturday Night Live

Self - Cameo (uncredited) in Saturday Night Live

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

Self in Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

Omnibus

Self in Omnibus

Speechless

Martin in Speechless

Markus Lanz

Self in Markus Lanz

Legends

Self in Legends

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Himself in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Real Time with Bill Maher

Self in Real Time with Bill Maher

Untitled Fawlty Towers Reboot

Basil Fawlty in Untitled Fawlty Towers Reboot

NDR Kultur – Das Journal

Self in NDR Kultur – Das Journal

Cheers

Dr. Simon Finch-Royce in Cheers

Why there is no hope

Actor in Why there is no hope

Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

Self (archive footage) in Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

Over the Garden Wall

Quincy Endicott (voice) in Over the Garden Wall

Over the Garden Wall

Adelaide (voice) in Over the Garden Wall

Sez Les

self in Sez Les

Last of the Summer Wine

Neighbour in Last of the Summer Wine

Parkinson

Self in Parkinson

This Morning

Self in This Morning

The Last Leg

Self in The Last Leg