

John Cleese
Acting
Born: October 27, 1939 (age 86) · Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
Highest Rated
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

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2001

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2002

Shrek 2
2004

Shrek the Third
2007

Shrek Forever After
2010

The Croods
2013

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975

Life of Brian
1979

The Croods: A New Age
2020

Die Another Day
2002

Trolls
2016

The Day the Earth Stood Still
2008
Photos (3)
Movies (132)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Nearly Headless Nick

Shrek Forever After
King Harold (voice)

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

Shrek the Third
King Harold (voice)

Trolls
Roi Gristle (voice)

Shrek 2
King Harold (voice)

Die Another Day
Q

Planes
Bulldog (voice)

Winnie the Pooh
Narrator (voice)

A Fish Called Wanda
Archie Leach

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

Charlotte's Web
Samuel the Sheep (voice)

The Big Year
Historical Montage Narrator (voice)

The World Is Not Enough
R

Rat Race
Donald P. Sinclair

Erik the Viking
Halfdan the Black

The Swan Princess
Jean-Bob (voice)

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Various Roles

Clifford the Big Red Dog
Bridwell

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

The Jungle Book
Dr. Julius Plumford

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Mr. Munday

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

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

The Pink Panther 2
Dreyfus

The Adventures of Pluto Nash
James

Arctic Dogs
Otto von Walrus (voice)

The Day the Earth Stood Still
Professor Barnhardt

Scorched
Charles Merchant

Around the World in 80 Days
Grizzled Sergeant

Rally Road Racers
Archie Vainglorious (voice)

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Prof. Waldman

The Great Muppet Caper
Neville

Time Bandits
Robin Hood

Planet 51
Professor Kipple (voice)

Igor
Dr. Glickenstein (voice)

The Out-of-Towners
Mr. Mersault

A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
Mr. Bellwood (voice)

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

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
Narrator

Clockwise
Brian Stimpson

Absolutely Anything
Chief Alien (voice)

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

Yellowbeard
Harvey 'Blind' Pew

Man About Town
Dr. Primkin

The Big Picture
Bartender

Silverado
Sheriff John T. Langston

The Palace
Arthur William Dallas III

Charming
Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)

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

Valiant
Mercury (voice)

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Various Roles

Fierce Creatures
Rollo Lee

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Donner (voice)

Father Christmas Is Back
John Christmas

The Wind in the Willows
Mr. Toad's Lawyer

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
John

Splitting Heirs
Raoul P. Shadgrind

The Magic Christian
Director in Sotheby's

The Naked Wanderer
Brian King

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

Daddy Daughter Trip
Frank

Isn't She Great
Henry Marcus

Spud
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
General Eeder

The Martini Shot
Dr. Auyeung

Doctor Who: City of Death
Art Gallery Visitor

God Loves Caviar
McCormick

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
Post Office Clerk

The Magic Pudding
Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)

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

The Best House in London
Jones (uncredited)

Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
Interviewee

L'Entente cordiale
Lord Conrad

Spud 2: The Madness Continues
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

Parting Shots
Maurice Walpole

The Statue
Harry

Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

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

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018

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

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

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Pumer

Who Sold You This, Then?
1972

Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Various Characters

Bosses From Hell
Brian

Monty Python: Who's There?
Timothy

Interlude
Television public relations man

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

The Nutcracker
Narrator

The Taming of the Shrew
Petruchio

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

Romance with a Double Bass
Smychkov

Teams from Hell
1989

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Various Characters

Golden Gordon
Passerby

The Love Ban
Contraceptives Lecturer

The Goodies and the Beanstalk
The Genie

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

Customer Service From Hell
1989

Mickey’s Mechanical House
Narrator (voice)

Employees From Hell
Brian

Customers From Hell
Brian

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

Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best
Various Roles (archive footage)

Privates on Parade
Major Giles Flack

Sales People from Hell
1989

Is This a Record?
Various

Quantum Project
Alexander Pentcho

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Various Characters

John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2011

Monty Python In The Netherlands
Narrator / Pie Face 2

Interviewers From Hell
1989

Communicators From Hell
Brian

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
The Giant Alien (voice)

Elementary, My Dear Watson
Sherlock Holmes

The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2025

More Awkward Customers
Brian

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

Colleagues From Hell
1989

The Philosophers' Football Match
Archimedes

John Cleese Packs It In
2025

Three Piece Suite
Kevin

The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Jim Cleese

Awkward Customers
Brian

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1993

Quark the Dragon Slayer
1989

Rockstar
Interviewer in lounge

The Queen Special
Man in Bar

Meetings, Bloody Meetings
1976

Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
Kendisi
TV Shows (35)

Doctor Who
Art Gallery Visitor · 1 eps

Cheers
Dr. Simon Finch-Royce · 1 eps

Will & Grace
Lyle Finster (uncredited) · 4 eps

3rd Rock from the Sun
Dr. Liam Neesam · 4 eps

The South Bank Show
1 eps

Entourage
John Cleese · 1 eps

The Avengers
Marcus Rugman · 1 eps

Over the Garden Wall
Adelaide (voice) · 1 eps

Over the Garden Wall
Quincy Endicott (voice) · 1 eps

Speechless
Martin · 2 eps

Disney's House of Mouse
2001

Disney's House of Mouse
Narrator (voice) · 4 eps

TFI Friday
1 eps

Mickey Mouse Works
Narrator (voice) · 1 eps

Monty Python's Flying Circus
Various / Announcer · 39 eps

Whitney
Dr. Grant · 2 eps

Fawlty Towers
Basil Fawlty · 12 eps

Not the Nine O'Clock News
1 eps

Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Narrator (voice) · 40 eps

Canterbury Tales
Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited) · 1 eps

Casper & Mandrilaftalen
Fake Bosse Bo Johansson · 1 eps

Friday Night, Saturday Morning
1 eps

E! True Hollywood Story
1 eps

Sez Les
7 eps

Ripping Yarns
1 eps

At Last the 1948 Show
13 eps

Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
Red Lansing · 6 eps

Whoops Apocalypse
Lacrobat · 3 eps

Hold the Sunset
Phil · 12 eps

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
Various Characters · 2 eps

Three Piece Suite
Kevin (segment "Every Day in Every Way") · 1 eps

More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
1 eps

Funny Business
6 eps

The Human Face
Presenter · 4 eps

Why there is no hope
Actor · 1 eps
Self / Appearances (123)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · 1 eps

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · 1 eps

Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest · 1 eps

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self · 1 eps

The Daily Show
Self · 1 eps

Conan
Self - Guest · 1 eps

Saturday Night Live
Self / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited) · 1 eps

The Graham Norton Show
Self - Guest · 1 eps

The Graham Norton Show
Self · 1 eps

Markus Lanz
Self · 1 eps

Real Time with Bill Maher
Self · 2 eps

The One Show
Self - Guest · 1 eps

Wogan
Self · 3 eps

The Last Leg
Self · 2 eps

Wetten, dass..?
Self · 1 eps

Richard & Judy
Self · 1 eps

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self · 1 eps

Omnibus
Self · 1 eps

Titel, Thesen, Temperamente
Self (archive footage) · 1 eps

Parkinson
Self · 1 eps

An Audience with...
Self · 1 eps

The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Self · 1 eps

The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star · 1 eps

Skavlan
Self - Guest · 1 eps

LOL: Last One Laughing
Self · 1 eps

Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
Self - Contestant · 1 eps

Legends
Self · 1 eps

Robins
Self - Guest · 1 eps

John Bishop: In Conversation with...
Self · 1 eps

The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self · 15 eps

This Morning
Self · 1 eps

A Life on Screen
Self · 1 eps

Sez Les
self · 6 eps

Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Self · 6 eps

Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time
Self · 1 eps

Soccer's American Dream
Self (archive footage) · 1 eps

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

MADtv
Self · 2 eps

Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Self (archive footage) · 5 eps

Movie Connections
Self · 1 eps

The Secret Life of Brian
Self

An Accidental Studio
Self (archive footage)

Behind Over the Garden Wall
Self

Monty Python's Personal Best
Self / Various Characters · 6 eps

Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
Self

The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
Self · 1 eps

Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom
Self (archive footage)

Why Are We Creative?
Self

Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self

The Meaning of Monty Python
Self

Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Self, others

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self / Basil Fawlty

The Movie Life of George
Self

How to Irritate People
Himself - Various

Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Self

Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
Self

The Dinosaur Hour
Self · 1 eps

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Self

Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Self

Joe & David's Magical Sitcom Tour
Self · 1 eps

Concert for George
Self

The Art of Football from A to Z
Self

Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Self

Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
Self

Monty Python Conquers America
Self

Amnesty International's Big 30
Self

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

Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self

The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Self

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self - Various Roles

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

The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)

The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self

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

Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Self

Stupidity
Self

Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Self

The Seventh Python
Self

Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Self

Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Self

The Undefeated
Self (archive footage)

Return of the Goodies
Himself

Anatomy of a Liar
Self

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

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

Making Rat Race
Himself

30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation
Self

Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self

Fawlty Towers: The Play
Self

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

Assholes: A Theory
Himself

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

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

The Life of Python
Self

The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Self

Best Ever Bond
Self / R

Group Madness
Self

The Monty Python Story
Self

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

We Are Most Amused
Self - Presenter

The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Self

The Secret Policeman's Ball
Himself - Various Roles

The Last Impresario
Self

The Roast of John Cleese
Self

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

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self

In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
Self

Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Self

The Mermaid Frolics
Self- Various roles

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

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self

Wine for the Confused
Self

Gaybo Laughs Back
Self

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

Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Self

Peter Cook & Co.
Himself / Various Characters

Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Self

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

Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian”
Self

Spike
Self

Creativity in Management
Self

Aud go'hjerta
Self (archive footage)

Fawlty Towers Revisited
Himself
Upcoming (4)
Directing (3)
Writing (34)

The Croods
Story

The Croods: A New Age
Characters

A Fish Called Wanda
Story

A Fish Called Wanda
Screenplay

Life of Brian
Screenplay

Monty Python's Flying Circus
Writer

Fawlty Towers
Writer

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Screenplay

The Two Ronnies
Writer

ABC Stage 67
Writer

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Writer

That Was the Week That Was
Writer

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Writer

Fierce Creatures
Screenplay

And Now for Something Completely Different
Screenplay

At Last the 1948 Show
Writer

Six Dates with Barker
Writer

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

Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Writer

How to Irritate People
Writer

The Human Face
Writer

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Writer

Romance with a Double Bass
Adaptation

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Writer

Fawlty Towers: The Play
Writer

Fawlty Towers: The Play
Adaptation

Zum letzten Kliff
Original Story

Away from It All
Writer

Rentadick
Writer

The Mermaid Frolics
Writer

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
Writer

More Awkward Customers
Writer

John Cleese Packs It In
Writer

Awkward Customers
Writer
Producing (5)
Other Crew (12)

The Croods: A New Age
Thanks

The Croods: Family Tree
Creator

Fawlty Towers
Creator

The Secret Policeman's Ball
Creator

At Last the 1948 Show
Creator

The Magic Christian
Additional Writing

Monty Python's Personal Best
Creator

The Dinosaur Hour
Creator

Who Sold You This, Then?
Script

Zum letzten Kliff
Creative Consultant

Is This a Record?
Additional Writing

Snavely
Creator





