
John Cleese
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- 27 October 1939 · Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
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 234
- 2026The Making of Shrek 2 as Self
- 2026How to Make Her Cheat as Terry
- 2026Taking The Wheel as Nathan
- 2026The Splendid Thing
- 2025John Cleese Packs It In
- 2025Fawlty Towers: The Play as Self
- 2025The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
- 2024The Roast of John Cleese 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
- 2022Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom as Self (archive footage)
- 2022Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
- 2021Clifford the Big Red Dog as 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)
- 2020The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
- 2020Harry Potter and the Deathly Weapons as Nearly Headless Nick
- 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)
- 2018Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
- 2016Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
- 2016British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2016Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
- 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)
- 2015The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self · 1 episode
- 2014Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2014Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 2014Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 2014Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- 2014The Last Impresario as Self
- 2014Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self - Guest · 1 episode
- 2013The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- 2013Planes as Bulldog (voice)
- 2013Spud 2: The Madness Continues as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2012The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
- 2012A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- 2012Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- 2012God Loves Caviar as McCormick
- 2011The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
- 2011Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
- 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)
- 2009Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2009Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2009The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
- 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
- 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
- 2007Shrek the Third as King Harold (voice)
- 2007Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2007What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
- 2007The Secret Life of Brian as Self
- 2006Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)
- 2006Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
- 2006The South Bank Show: Spamalot
- 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—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best as Various Roles (archive footage)
- 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
- 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 Self
- 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
- 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 3 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 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
- 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
- 2002Making Rat Race as Himself
- 2002Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe 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
- 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: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999The Monty Python Story as Self
- 1999Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
- 199930 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation as Self
- 1999Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
- 1999Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
- 1999The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
- 1998In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
- 1998Monty Python: Live at Aspen 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
- 1996Spike as Self
- 1996The Daily Show as Self · 1 episode
- 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
- 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)
- 1991Creativity in Management as Self
- 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
- 1989Customer Service From Hell
- 1989Colleagues From Hell
- 1989Bosses From Hell as Brian
- 1989Communicators From Hell as Brian
- 1989Sales People from Hell
- 1989Teams from Hell
- 1989Interviewers From Hell
- 1989The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1989Customers From Hell as Brian
- 1989Employees From Hell as Brian
- 1988A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
- 1988John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1987Baby Quark
- 1987Quark and the Highway Robber
- 1987Dragonslayer Quark
- 1987The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1987The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
- 1986Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
- 1986The South Bank Show: John Cleese
- 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
- 1982Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- 1982The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- 1981Time Bandits as Robin Hood
- 1981The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
- 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
- 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)
- 1978Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” 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
- 1976Meetings, Bloody Meetings
- 1975How Not to Exhibit Yourself as John Cleese
- 1975More Awkward Customers as Brian
- 1975Awkward Customers as Brian
- 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
- 1975Saturday Night Live as Self / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited) · 1 episode
- 1974Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- 1974Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
- 1973The Goodies and the Beanstalk as The Genie
- 1973Is This a Record? as Various
- 1973Monty Python In The Netherlands as Narrator / Pie Face 2
- 1973Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
- 1973The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
- 1972The Philosophers' Football Match as Archimedes
- 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 / Accou
- 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
- 1969The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)
- 1969How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
- 1968The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
- 1968Interlude as Television public relations man
- 1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self · 1 episode
Writing 26
- 2026Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python · writer
- 2025John Cleese Packs It In · writer
- 2025Fawlty Towers: The Play · adaptation
- 2020The Croods: A New Age · characters
- 2014Monty Python Live (Mostly) · writer
- 2013The Croods · story
- 2008Life Of Brian Screenplay · screenplay
- 2001Zum letzten Kliff · original story
- 1997Fierce Creatures · screenplay
- 1989Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python · writer
- 1988A Fish Called Wanda · story
- 1983Monty Python's The Meaning of Life · screenplay
- 1982Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl · writer
- 1979Life of Brian · screenplay
- 1979Away from It All · writer
- 1977The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It · screenplay
- 1977The Mermaid Frolics · writer
- 1975More Awkward Customers · writer
- 1975Awkward Customers · writer
- 1975Monty Python and the Holy Grail · writer
- 1974Romance with a Double Bass · adaptation
- 1972Rentadick · writer
- 1971The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 · writer
- 1971And Now for Something Completely Different · screenplay
- 1970The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer · writer
- 1969How to Irritate People · writer
crew 6
- 2020The Croods: A New Age · thanks
- 2001Zum letzten Kliff · creative consultant
- 1978Snavely · creator
- 1973Is This a Record? · additional writing
- 1972Who Sold You This, Then? · script
- 1969The Magic Christian · additional writing
Production 5
- 2006The Art of Football from A to Z · executive producer
- 1997Fierce Creatures · producer
- 1988A Fish Called Wanda · executive producer
- 1982The Secret Policeman's Other Ball · producer
- 1979The Secret Policeman's Ball · producer
Directing 3
- 1982The Secret Policeman's Other Ball · assistant director
- 1979The Secret Policeman's Ball · stage director
- 1979Away from It All · director





