Michael Palin

Biography

Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. Palin wrote most of his comedic material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", and "The Spanish Inquisition". Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and, most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.

Known For

The Simpsons

The Graham Norton Show

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

All Movies (154)

• David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth2026 · as Self
• The Magic Faraway Tree2026 · as Know All
• Joke2026
• When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain2025 · as Self
• Innes Lloyd: The Producer2025 · as Self
• The Academy of Armando2025 · as Self
• Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration2024 · as Self
• How To Make It In Comedy2024
• Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs2023 · as Self
• The Fringe, Fame and Me2022 · as Self
• Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated2021 · as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
• Jeepers Creepers2020 · as Newscaster (voice)
• Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation2020 · as Self
• Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy2020 · as Self
• Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails2019 · as Self (archive footage)
• An Accidental Studio2019 · as Self
• Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes2019 · as Self
• Michael Palin: A Life on Screen2018
• The Death of Stalin2017 · as Vyacheslav Molotov
• Generation '662016
• Attenborough at 902016 · as Self
• Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia2015 · as Self
• Absolutely Anything2015 · as Kindly Alien (voice)
• Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule2014 · as Self
• Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace2014 · as Self
• Monty Python: The Meaning of Live2014 · as Self
• Monty Python Live (Mostly)2014 · as Self, others
• Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar2014 · as Self
• 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy2014 · as Self
• The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything2014
• Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns2014 · as Self
• New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days2014 · as Self
• Michael Palin In Wyeth's World2013 · as Self
• The Meaning of Monty Python2013 · as Self
• The Wipers Times2013 · as General Mitford
• Frost on Sketch Shows2013 · as Self
• A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman2012 · as Various (voice)
• Anatomy of a Liar2012 · as Self
• Produced by George Martin2012 · as Self
• The Secret Policeman's Ball2012 · as Self
• Arthur Christmas2011 · as Ernie Clicker (voice)
• Making Qi2011 · as Self
• The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema2011 · as Self
• Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall2010
• Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)2010 · as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
• Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release2010 · as Self
• Monty Python in Aberystwyth2009 · as Self
• Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened2009 · as Self
• Around the World in 20 Years2008 · as Self
• Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'2008 · as Self
• Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'2008 · as Self
• Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎2008 · as Presenter
• Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus2008 · as Self
• The Seventh Python2008 · as Self
• What Is Brazil?2008 · as Self
• Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation2008 · as Self
• Life Of Brian Screenplay2008 · as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
• Monty Python Conquers America2008 · as Self
• Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind2007 · as Gariiiiiii (voice)
• Hitler: The Comedy Years2007 · as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
• What the Pythons Did Next...2007 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Secret Life of Brian2007 · as Self
• 50 Films to See Before You Die2006 · as Self
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best2006 · as Various Characters
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best2006
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best2006 · as Various Characters
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best2006 · as Various Characters
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best2006 · as Various Characters
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best2006 · as Various Characters
• Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best2006 · as Various Characters
• The Roots of Monty Python2005 · as Self (archive footage)
• John Peel's Record Box2005 · as Self
• Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi2005 · as Host
• Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?2004 · as Self
• Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'2004 · as Self
• The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 22004 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 12004 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 32004 · as Self (archive footage)
• Concert for George2003 · as Self
• The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'2003 · as Self
• Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse2003 · as Narrator
• Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television2002 · as Self - Presenter
• Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute2002 · as Self
• The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations2001 · as Self
• The Unknown Peter Sellers2000 · as Self
• Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm1999 · as Self
• The Monty Python Story1999 · as Self
• Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches1999 · as Self
• Monty Python: Pythonland1999
• Monty Python: Live at Aspen1998 · as Self
• Palin on Redpath1997 · as Self - Presenter
• Fierce Creatures1997 · as Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
• The Willows in Winter1996 · as Rat
• The Wind in the Willows1996 · as The Sun
• The Wind in the Willows1995 · as Rat
• Tracey Ullman: A Class Act1993 · as Various
• Meridian: The First Ten Minutes1993 · as Self
• The First Night of Meridian1993 · as Self - Host
• Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk1991 · as Narrator (voice)
• American Friends1991 · as Rev. Francis Ashby
• The Witches1990 · as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
• Viz: The Documentary1990 · as Self
• Life of Python1990 · as Self / Various Roles
• Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python1989 · as Self / Various Characters
• The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin1989 · as Self
• The Movie Life of George1989 · as Self
• The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball1989 · as Self
• A Fish Called Wanda1988 · as Ken Pile
• John Cleese's First Farewell Performance1988 · as Self
• Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute1988 · as Self
• The Grand Knockout Tournament1987 · as Self
• Comedians Do It On Stage1986 · as Self
• Brazil1985 · as Jack Lint
• A Private Function1984 · as Gilbert Chilvers
• The Dress1984 · as Howard
• Comic Roots: Michael Palin1983
• Monty Python's The Meaning of Life1983 · as Various Roles
• The Crimson Permanent Assurance1983 · as Workman
• The Missionary1982 · as The Reverend Charles Fortescue
• Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl1982 · as Various Roles
• The Secret Policeman's Other Ball1982 · as Self - Various Roles
• Time Bandits1981 · as Vincent
• The Box1981 · as (voice)
• The Secret Policeman's Ball1979 · as Various Roles
• Roger of the Raj1979 · as Roger
• Golden Gordon1979 · as Gordon Ottershaw
• Whinfrey's Last Case1979 · as Gerald Whinfrey
• Life of Brian1979 · as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
• The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 19791979 · as Self
• The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash1978 · as Eric Manchester
• The Curse of the Claw1977 · as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
• Across the Andes by Frog1977 · as Captain Walter Snetterton
• Murder at Moorstones Manor1977 · as Charles Chiddingford
• Escape from Stalag Luft 112B1977 · as Major Errol Phipps
• The Testing of Eric Olthwaite1977 · as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
• The Broken Bottle1977
• Jabberwocky1977 · as Dennis Cooper
• Pleasure at Her Majesty's1976 · as Self
• Tomkinson's Schooldays1976 · as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
• Three Men in a Boat1975 · as Harris
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail1975 · as First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad the Pure / Narrator / King of Swamp Castle / Brother Maynard's Brother / Leader of The Knights Who Say NI!
• Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report1974 · as Self
• Henry Cleans Up1974 · as Henry
• Is This a Record?1973 · as Various
• Monty Python In The Netherlands1973
• The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 19711971
• And Now for Something Completely Different1971 · as Gumby / Man with tape recorder / Phrasebook Author / Arthur Pewtey / Second self - defence student / Second Tenant / Lost His Wallet / Shrill Petrol Announcer / Milkman / Ernest Scribbler / Pet shop employee / Lumberjack / Headwaiter Gilberto / Herbert Anchovy / Blackmail Presenter / Gervais Brookhamster / Town Guild Lady
• Euroshow '71: May Day Special1971 · as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
• Monty Python: Who's There?1970 · as Ken
• Ending It All1970
• How to Irritate People1969 · as Various
• Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World1966 · as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
• Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch— · as salesman
• The Philosophers' Football Match— · as Nietzsche

All TV Shows (72)

• Small Prophets2026 · as Brian Sleep
• Michael Palin in Venezuela2025 · as Self - Host
• The Secret Life of Trees2025 · as Self - Narrator
• David Frost Vs2025 · as self
• Michael Palin in Nigeria2024 · as Self
• Michael Palin: Into Iraq2022
• Remembers…2022
• Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime2020 · as Self - Host
• Staged2020 · as Michael
• Worzel Gummidge2019 · as The Green Man
• Michael Palin in North Korea2018 · as Self - Host
• Vanity Fair2018 · as William Makepeace Thackeray
• Clangers2015 · as Narrator (voice)
• Artsnight2015 · as Self
• A Life on Screen2014 · as Self
• Remember Me2014 · as Tom Parfitt
• Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)2014 · as Self (archive footage)
• Brazil with Michael Palin2012 · as Self (Presenter)
• The Jonathan Ross Show2011 · as Self
• Perspectives2011 · as Self
• ZULU Comedy Galla2010 · as Michael Palin
• Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)2009 · as Self
• Michael Palin's New Europe2007 · as Self
• Movie Connections2007 · as Self
• The Alan Titchmarsh Show2007 · as Self
• The Graham Norton Show2007 · as Self
• Legends2006 · as Self
• The One Show2006 · as Self - Guest
• Monty Python's Personal Best2006 · as Self / Various Characters
• Himalaya with Michael Palin2004 · as Self - Presenter
• Sahara with Michael Palin2002 · as Self - Presenter
• Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure1999
• Fantasy World Cup1998 · as Self
• Parkinson1998 · as Self
• Full Circle with Michael Palin1997 · as Self
• Clive Anderson All Talk1996 · as Self
• The Frank Skinner Show1995 · as Self
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien1993 · as Self - Guest
• Pole to Pole1992 · as Self
• G.B.H.1991 · as Jim Nelson
• The Simpsons1989 · as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
• Michael Palin: The Art of Travel1989
• Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days1989 · as Self
• Daytime Live1987
• Going Live!1987 · as Self
• Omnibus Presents Comic Relief1986
• Friday People1985
• Wogan1982 · as Self
• Travels with Palin1980 · as Self
• Great Railway Journeys1980 · as Self - Presenter
• Friday Night, Saturday Morning1979
• The Secret Policeman's Ball1976 · as Self
• Ripping Yarns1976
• Ripping Yarns1976 · as Gerald Whinfrey
• Ripping Yarns1976 · as Roger
• Ripping Yarns1976 · as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Co-Host
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Special Guest
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Dick Savage (uncredited)
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Host
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self / Various (uncredited)
• Les Rendez-vous du dimanche1975 · as Self
• Full House1972 · as Various
• Pebble Mill at One1972
• Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus1972 · as Various Characters
• Film '721971 · as Self
• Monty Python's Flying Circus1969 · as Various / "It's" man
• The Complete and Utter History of Britain1969
• Frost on Sunday1968 · as Self / Various Characters
• Do Not Adjust Your Set1967 · as Various Characters
• Twice a Fortnight1967
• A Series of Bird's1967