Michael Palin
Born: 1943-05-05 in Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2026
- The Magic Faraway Tree as Know All
- Small Prophets as Brian Sleep
- David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth as Self
- Joke
2025
- David Frost Vs as self
- The Secret Life of Trees as Self - Narrator
- The Academy of Armando as Self
- When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain as Self
- Michael Palin in Venezuela as Self - Host
- Innes Lloyd: The Producer as Self
2024
- Time Bandits ... (Characters)
- Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration as Self
- Michael Palin in Nigeria as Self
- How To Make It In Comedy
2023
2022
2021
- Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2020
- Staged as Michael
- Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime as Self - Host
- Jeepers Creepers as Newscaster (voice)
- Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy as Self
- Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation as Self
2019
- Worzel Gummidge as The Green Man
- An Accidental Studio as Self
- Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
- Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes as Self
2018
- Vanity Fair as William Makepeace Thackeray
- Michael Palin in North Korea as Self - Host
- Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2017
- The Death of Stalin as Vyacheslav Molotov
2016
- Attenborough at 90 as Self
- Generation '66
2015
- Absolutely Anything as Kindly Alien (voice)
- Artsnight as Self
- Clangers as Narrator (voice)
- Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia as Self
2014
- Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- A Life on Screen as Self
- Remember Me as Tom Parfitt
- Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy as Self
- Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule as Self
- Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace as Self
- Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
- New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days as Self
- Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns as Self
2013
- The Wipers Times as General Mitford
- The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- Frost on Sketch Shows as Self
- Michael Palin In Wyeth's World as Self
2012
- Brazil with Michael Palin as Self (Presenter)
- The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- Produced by George Martin as Self
- Python Legs! ... (Writer)
- Anatomy of a Liar as Self
2011
- The Jonathan Ross Show as Self
- Arthur Christmas as Ernie Clicker (voice)
- Perspectives as Self
- The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema as Self
- Making Qi as Self
2010
- ZULU Comedy Galla as Michael Palin
- Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
- Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
- Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
2009
- Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
- Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self
- Monty Python in Aberystwyth as Self
2008
- What Is Brazil? as Self
- Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
- Monty Python Conquers America as Self
- Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
- The Seventh Python as Self
- Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One as Presenter
- Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
- Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' as Self
- Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' as Self
- Around the World in 20 Years as Self
2007
- The Graham Norton Show as Self
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show as Self
- Movie Connections as Self
- Michael Palin's New Europe as Self
- Hitler: The Comedy Years as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind as Gariiiiiii (voice)
- What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
- The Secret Life of Brian as Self
2006
- The One Show as Self - Guest
- Legends as Self
- 50 Films to See Before You Die as Self
- Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
2005
- The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
- John Peel's Record Box as Self
- Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi as Host
2004
- Himalaya with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter
- Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
- Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' as Self
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
2003
- Concert for George as Self
- Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse as Narrator
- The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
2002
- Sahara with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter
- Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television as Self - Presenter
- Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute as Self
2001
2000
- The Unknown Peter Sellers as Self
1999
1998
- Parkinson as Self
- Fantasy World Cup as Self
- Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
1997
- Fierce Creatures as Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone
- Full Circle with Michael Palin as Self
- Palin on Redpath as Self - Presenter
1996
- Clive Anderson All Talk as Self
- The Wind in the Willows as The Sun
- The Willows in Winter as Rat
1995
- The Frank Skinner Show as Self
- The Wind in the Willows as Rat
1993
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- Tracey Ullman: A Class Act as Various
- Meridian: The First Ten Minutes as Self
- The First Night of Meridian as Self - Host
1992
- Pole to Pole as Self
1991
- G.B.H. as Jim Nelson
- American Friends as Rev. Francis Ashby
- Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk as Narrator (voice)
1990
- The Witches as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
- Life of Python as Self / Various Roles
- Viz: The Documentary as Self
1989
- The Simpsons as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
- Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days as Self
- The Movie Life of George as Self
- The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- Michael Palin: The Art of Travel
- Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
- The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin as Self
1988
- A Fish Called Wanda as Ken Pile
- Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute as Self
- Number 27 ... (Writer)
- Consuming Passions ... (Theatre Play)
- John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
1987
- Going Live! as Self
- Daytime Live
- The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- East of Ipswich ... (Writer)
1986
1985
- Screen Two ... (Writer)
- Brazil as Jack Lint
- Friday People
1984
- A Private Function as Gilbert Chilvers
- The Dress as Howard
1983
- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
- The Crimson Permanent Assurance as Workman
- Comic Roots: Michael Palin
1982
- Wogan as Self
- Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- The Missionary as The Reverend Charles Fortescue
- The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
1981
- Time Bandits as Vincent
- The Box as (voice)
1980
- Travels with Palin as Self
- Great Railway Journeys as Self - Presenter
1979
- Life of Brian as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
- Friday Night, Saturday Morning
- The Secret Policeman's Ball as Various Roles
- Whinfrey's Last Case as Gerald Whinfrey
- The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
- Golden Gordon as Gordon Ottershaw
- Roger of the Raj as Roger
1978
- The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash as Eric Manchester
1977
- Jabberwocky as Dennis Cooper
- Across the Andes by Frog as Captain Walter Snetterton
- The Testing of Eric Olthwaite as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
- The Broken Bottle
- Murder at Moorstones Manor as Charles Chiddingford
- The Curse of the Claw as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
- Escape from Stalag Luft 112B as Major Errol Phipps
1976
- The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- Ripping Yarns
- Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- Tomkinson's Schooldays as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Co-Host
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail 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!
- Three Men in a Boat as Harris
1974
- Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- Henry Cleans Up as Henry
1973
- Black and Blue ... (Writer)
- Secrets ... (Writer)
- Monty Python In The Netherlands
- Is This a Record? as Various
1972
- Pebble Mill at One
- Full House as Various
- Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
1971
- Film '72 as Self
- The Two Ronnies ... (Writer)
- And Now for Something Completely Different 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 Special as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1970
1969
- Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / "It's" man
- The Complete and Utter History of Britain
- How to Irritate People as Various
1968
- Frost on Sunday as Self / Various Characters
1967
- Do Not Adjust Your Set as Various Characters
- A Series of Bird's
- Twice a Fortnight
1966
- Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)