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

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The Daily Show

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

Real Time with Bill Maher

Saturday Night Live

All Movies (222)

• John Cleese Packs It In2025
• Fawlty Towers: The Play2025 · as Self
• The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers2025
• The Roast of John Cleese2024 · as Self
• The Palace2023 · as Arthur William Dallas III
• The Martini Shot2023 · as Dr. Auyeung
• Rally Road Racers2023 · as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
• Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs2023 · as Self
• Daddy Daughter Trip2022 · as Frank
• Clifford the Big Red Dog2021 · as Mr. Bridwell
• Father Christmas Is Back2021 · as John Christmas
• Why Are We (Not) Creative?2021 · as Self
• Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius2021 · as Interviewee
• Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated2021 · as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
• The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee2020 · as John
• Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp2020 · as Self
• Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness2020 · as Self
• Assholes: A Theory2019 · as Himself
• Arctic Dogs2019 · as Otto von Walrus (voice)
• Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails2019 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Naked Wanderer2019 · as Brian King
• An Accidental Studio2019 · as Self (archive footage)
• Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer2018 · as Donner (voice)
• Why Are We Creative?2018 · as Self
• Charming2018 · as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
• Michael Palin: A Life on Screen2018
• Trolls2016 · as Roi Gristle (voice)
• British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves2016 · as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Albion: The Enchanted Stallion2016 · as General Eeder
• Behind Over the Garden Wall2015 · as Self
• A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown2015 · as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
• Absolutely Anything2015 · as Chief Alien (voice)
• Spud 3: Learning to Fly2014 · as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
• 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
• The Last Impresario2014 · as Self
• The Meaning of Monty Python2013 · as Self
• Planes2013 · as Bulldog (voice)
• Spud 2: The Madness Continues2013 · as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
• The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker2012 · as Self
• A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman2012 · as Various (voice)
• Anatomy of a Liar2012 · as Self
• God Loves Caviar2012 · as McCormick
• The Big Year2011 · as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
• Beethoven's Christmas Adventure2011 · as Narrator
• John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live2011
• The Undefeated2011 · as Self (archive footage)
• Winnie the Pooh2011 · as Narrator (voice)
• Spud2010 · as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
• Shrek Forever After2010 · as King Harold (voice)
• Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release2010 · as Self
• Planet 512009 · as Professor Kipple (voice)
• Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits2009 · as Self / Basil Fawlty
• Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened2009 · as Self / Basil Fawlty
• The Pink Panther 22009 · as Dreyfus
• The Day the Earth Stood Still2008 · as Professor Barnhardt
• We Are Most Amused2008 · as Self - Presenter
• Gaybo Laughs Back2008 · as Self
• Igor2008 · as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
• Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus2008 · as Self
• The Seventh Python2008 · as Self
• Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation2008 · as Self
• Life Of Brian Screenplay2008 · as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
• Monty Python Conquers America2008 · as Self
• Shrek the Third2007 · as King Harold (voice)
• Hitler: The Comedy Years2007 · as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
• The Secret Life of Brian2007 · as Self
• What the Pythons Did Next...2007 · as Self (archive footage)
• Aud go'hjerta2006 · as Self (archive footage)
• Charlotte's Web2006 · as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
• L'Entente cordiale2006 · as Lord Conrad
• Man About Town2006 · as Dr. Primkin
• The Art of Football from A to Z2006 · 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 · as Various Characters
• 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
• Return of the Goodies2005 · as Himself
• Fawlty Towers Revisited2005 · as Himself
• The Roots of Monty Python2005 · as Self (archive footage)
• Valiant2005 · as Mercury (voice)
• The Funny Blokes of British Comedy2005 · as Self
• Complete Guide to Guys2005 · as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
• Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?2004 · as Self
• Wine for the Confused2004 · as Self
• Around the World in 80 Days2004 · as Grizzled Sergeant
• The Magic Touch of Harry Potter2004 · as Self
• Shrek 22004 · as King Harold (voice)
• The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 12004 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 22004 · 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
• George of the Jungle 22003 · as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
• Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle2003 · as Mr. Munday
• Scorched2003 · as Charles Merchant
• Stupidity2003 · as Self
• Best Ever Bond2002 · as Self / R
• Die Another Day: From Script to Screen2002 · as Self
• Die Another Day2002 · as Q
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets2002 · as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
• Mickey's House of Villains2002 · as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
• The Adventures of Pluto Nash2002 · as James
• Making Rat Race2002 · as Himself
• Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe2002 · as Self
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone2001 · as Nearly Headless Nick
• Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse2001 · as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
• Rat Race2001 · as Donald P. Sinclair
• Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese2001 · as Kendisi
• The Magic Pudding2000 · as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
• Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big2000 · as The Giant Alien (voice)
• The Life of Python2000 · as Self
• Quantum Project2000 · as Alexander Pentcho
• Isn't She Great2000 · as Henry Marcus
• Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn2000 · as Self
• Rockstar2000 · as Interviewer in lounge
• The World Is Not Enough1999 · as R
• The Nutcracker1999 · as Narrator
• The Monty Python Story1999 · as Self
• Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm1999 · as Self
• Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches1999 · as Self
• Mickey’s Mechanical House1999 · as Narrator (voice)
• Parting Shots1999 · as Maurice Walpole
• The Out-of-Towners1999 · as Mr. Mersault
• In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese1998 · as Self
• Monty Python: Live at Aspen1998 · as Self
• George of the Jungle1997 · as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
• Fierce Creatures1997 · as Rollo Lee
• The Wind in the Willows1996 · as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
• Spike1996 · as Self
• The Jungle Book1994 · as Dr. Julius Plumford
• The Swan Princess1994 · as Jean-Bob (voice)
• Mary Shelley's Frankenstein1994 · as Prof. Waldman
• Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?1993
• Splitting Heirs1993 · as Raoul P. Shadgrind
• Amnesty International's Big 301991 · as Self
• An American Tail: Fievel Goes West1991 · as Cat R. Waul (voice)
• Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb1991 · as Narrator (voice)
• Creativity in Management1991 · as Self
• The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson1990 · as Self
• Bullseye!1990 · as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
• Life of Python1990 · as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
• Quark the Dragon Slayer1989
• Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python1989 · as Self / Various Characters
• The Big Picture1989 · as Bartender
• Erik the Viking1989 · as Halfdan the Black
• The Movie Life of George1989 · as Self
• The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball1989 · as Self
• Bosses From Hell1989 · as Brian
• Customers From Hell1989 · as Brian
• Communicators From Hell1989 · as Brian
• Employees From Hell1989 · as Brian
• Customer Service From Hell1989
• Teams from Hell1989
• Sales People from Hell1989
• Colleagues From Hell1989
• Interviewers From Hell1989
• A Fish Called Wanda1988 · as Archie Leach
• John Cleese's First Farewell Performance1988 · as Self
• Dragonslayer Quark1987
• Baby Quark1987
• Quark and the Highway Robber1987
• The Grand Knockout Tournament1987 · as Self
• The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball1987 · as Jim Cleese
• Clockwise1986 · as Brian Stimpson
• Silverado1985 · as Sheriff John T. Langston
• Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff1985 · as Self
• Yellowbeard1983 · as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
• Group Madness1983 · as Self
• Monty Python's The Meaning of Life1983 · as Various Roles
• Privates on Parade1983 · as Major Giles Flack
• Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl1982 · as Various Roles
• The Secret Policeman's Other Ball1982 · as Self - Various Roles
• Time Bandits1981 · as Robin Hood
• The Great Muppet Caper1981 · as Neville
• The Tom Machine1980 · as Computer (voice)
• Peter Cook & Co.1980 · as Himself / Various Characters
• The Queen Special1980 · as Man in Bar
• The Taming of the Shrew1980 · as Petruchio
• The Secret Policeman's Ball1979 · as Himself - Various Roles
• Doctor Who: City of Death1979 · as Art Gallery Visitor
• Golden Gordon1979 · as Passerby
• Life of Brian1979 · as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
• The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 19791979 · as Self
• ...To Norway, Home of Giants!1979 · as Norman Fearless
• Away from It All1979 · as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
• The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It1977 · as Sherlock Holmes
• The Mermaid Frolics1977 · as Self- Various roles
• Three Piece Suite1977 · as Kevin
• Pleasure at Her Majesty's1976 · as Self
• Meetings, Bloody Meetings1976
• How Not to Exhibit Yourself1975 · as John Cleese
• More Awkward Customers1975 · as Brian
• Awkward Customers1975 · as Brian
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail1975 · as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
• Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report1974 · as Self
• Romance with a Double Bass1974 · as Smychkov
• The Goodies and the Beanstalk1973 · as The Genie
• Is This a Record?1973 · as Various
• Elementary, My Dear Watson1973 · as Sherlock Holmes
• Monty Python In The Netherlands1973
• The Love Ban1973 · as Contraceptives Lecturer
• Who Sold You This, Then?1972
• The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 19711971
• And Now for Something Completely Different1971 · 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
• Euroshow '71: May Day Special1971 · as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
• The Statue1971 · as Harry
• The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer1970 · as Pumer
• Monty Python: Who's There?1970 · as Timothy
• The Magic Christian1969 · as Director in Sotheby's
• The Best House in London1969 · as Jones (uncredited)
• How to Irritate People1969 · as Himself - Various
• The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom1968 · as Post Office Clerk
• Interlude1968 · as Television public relations man
• How to Make Her Cheat— · as Terry
• Taking The Wheel— · as Nathan
• The Philosophers' Football Match— · as Archimedes
• The Splendid Thing—

All TV Shows (82)

• Soccer's American Dream2026 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Dinosaur Hour Extra2023
• The Dinosaur Hour2023 · as Self
• LOL: Last One Laughing2021 · as Self
• Why there is no hope2020 · as Actor
• Gay Byrne's Late Late Moments2020 · as Self
• Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time2020 · as Self
• Hold the Sunset2018 · as Phil
• Speechless2016 · as Martin
• John Bishop: In Conversation with...2016 · as Self
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2015 · as Self
• A Life on Screen2014 · as Self
• Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)2014 · as Self (archive footage)
• Over the Garden Wall2014 · as Adelaide (voice)
• Over the Garden Wall2014 · as Quincy Endicott (voice)
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014 · as Self
• The Last Leg2013 · as Self
• Whitney2011 · as Dr. Grant
• Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh2011 · as Narrator (voice)
• Conan2010 · as Self - Guest
• Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)2009 · as Self
• Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation2009 · as Self - Contestant
• Skavlan2009 · as Self - Guest
• Markus Lanz2008 · as Self
• More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy2007
• Movie Connections2007 · as Self
• The Graham Norton Show2007 · as Self - Guest
• The Graham Norton Show2007 · as Self
• Legends2006 · as Self
• Robins2006 · as Self - Guest
• The One Show2006 · as Self - Guest
• Monty Python's Personal Best2006 · as Self / Various Characters
• Entourage2004 · as John Cleese
• Canterbury Tales2003 · as Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Real Time with Bill Maher2003 · as Self
• NDR Kultur – Das Journal2002 · as Self
• Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)2002 · as Red Lansing
• Richard & Judy2001 · as Self
• The Human Face2001 · as Presenter
• Disney's House of Mouse2001
• Disney's House of Mouse2001 · as Narrator (voice)
• Mickey Mouse Works1999 · as Narrator (voice)
• The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn1999 · as Self
• Casper & Mandrilaftalen1999 · as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
• Will & Grace1998 · as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
• Parkinson1998 · as Self
• E! True Hollywood Story1996
• The Daily Show1996 · as Self
• 3rd Rock from the Sun1996 · as Dr. Liam Neesam
• MADtv1995 · as Self
• Look at the State We're In!1995 · as Harold Kingsby
• Look at the State We're In!1995 · as Politician
• The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller1994 · as Self
• Funny Business1992
• This Morning1988 · as Self
• Cheers1982 · as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
• Wogan1982 · as Self
• Whoops Apocalypse1982 · as Lacrobat
• Wetten, dass..?1981 · as Self
• Not the Nine O'Clock News1979
• Friday Night, Saturday Morning1979
• An Audience with...1978 · as Self
• Three Piece Suite1977 · as Kevin
• The Muppet Show1976 · as Self - Special Guest Star
• The Secret Policeman's Ball1976 · as Self
• Ripping Yarns1976
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited)
• Fawlty Towers1975 · as Basil Fawlty
• Les Rendez-vous du dimanche1975 · as Self
• Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus1972 · as Various Characters
• Monty Python's Flying Circus1969 · as Various / Announcer
• Sez Les1969
• Sez Les1969 · as self
• Titel, Thesen, Temperamente1967 · as Self (archive footage)
• Omnibus1967 · as Self
• Misleading Cases1967 · as Mr. Partridge
• At Last the 1948 Show1967
• The Frost Report1966
• Doctor Who1963 · as Art Gallery Visitor
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Avengers1961 · as Marcus Rugman
• Cancel Me— · as Self - Host / Presenter