John Cleese
Born: 1939-10-27 in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
Known For: Acting
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
Filmography
2024
- The Roast of John Cleese as Self
2023
- The Martini Shot as Dr. Auyeung
- Rally Road Racers as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
- The Palace as Arthur William Dallas III
- The Dinosaur Hour as Self
- The Dinosaur Hour Extra
- Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
2022
- Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
2021
- The Croods: Family Tree ... (Creator)
- Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
- Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
- LOL: Last One Laughing as Self
- Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
- Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
- Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2020
- The Croods: A New Age ... (Thanks)
- The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
- Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp as Self
- Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness as Self
- Why there is no hope as Actor
2019
- Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
- The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
- Assholes: A Theory as Himself
- An Accidental Studio as Self (archive footage)
- Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
2018
- Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
- Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
- Why Are We Creative? as Self
- Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
- Hold the Sunset as Phil
2016
- Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
- Speechless as Martin
- Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
- John Bishop: In Conversation with... as Self
- British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2015
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
- Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
- Behind Over the Garden Wall as Self
2014
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
- Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
- Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- A Life on Screen as Self
- Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2013
- The Last Leg as Self
- The Croods ... (Story)
- Planes as Bulldog (voice)
- Spud 2: The Madness Continues as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
2012
- God Loves Caviar as McCormick
- A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
2011
- Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
- Whitney as Dr. Grant
- Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
- The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
- Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2010
- Shrek Forever After as King Harold (voice)
- Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
2009
- Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
- Skavlan as Self - Guest
- The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
- Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation as Self - Contestant
- Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
- Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
- Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
2008
- Markus Lanz as Self
- The Day the Earth Stood Still as Professor Barnhardt
- Igor as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
- Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
- Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
- We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
- Monty Python Conquers America as Self
- The Seventh Python as Self
- Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
- Gaybo Laughs Back as Self
2007
- The Graham Norton Show as Self - Guest
- Shrek the Third as King Harold (voice)
- Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
- Movie Connections as Self
- The Secret Life of Brian as Self
- More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
2006
- The One Show as Self - Guest
- Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
- Robins as Self - Guest
- Legends as Self
- Man About Town as Dr. Primkin
- L'Entente cordiale as Lord Conrad
- The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
- Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
2005
- Valiant as Mercury (voice)
- Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
- Return of the Goodies as Himself
- The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
- The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Himself
- Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
2004
- Entourage as John Cleese
- Shrek 2 as King Harold (voice)
- Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
- Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
- The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
- Wine for the Confused as Self
2003
- Real Time with Bill Maher as Self
- Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle as Mr. Munday
- Scorched as Charles Merchant
- George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- Concert for George as Self
- The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
- Stupidity as Self
2002
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
- Die Another Day as Q
- Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
- The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
- Best Ever Bond as Self / R
- Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self
- NDR Kultur – Das Journal as Self
- Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
- Making Rat Race as Himself
- Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
2001
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
- Richard & Judy as Self
- Disney's House of Mouse
- Rat Race as Donald P. Sinclair
- Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
- The Human Face as Presenter
- Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi
2000
- Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
- The Magic Pudding as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
- Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
- Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big as The Giant Alien (voice)
- Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn as Self
- The Life of Python as Self
- Rockstar as Interviewer in lounge
1999
- The World Is Not Enough as R
- Mickey Mouse Works as Narrator (voice)
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
- The Nutcracker as Narrator
- The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
- Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
- Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
- Casper & Mandrilaftalen as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
- Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- The Monty Python Story as Self
- Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
1998
- Will & Grace as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
- Parkinson as Self
- Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
- In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
1997
- George of the Jungle as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- Fierce Creatures as Rollo Lee
1996
- The Daily Show as Self
- 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Liam Neesam
- Spike as Himself
- The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
- E! True Hollywood Story
1995
- Look at the State We're In! as Harold Kingsby
- MADtv as Self
1994
- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as Prof. Waldman
- The Swan Princess as Jean-Bob (voice)
- The Jungle Book as Dr. Julius Plumford
1993
- Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
- Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1992
1991
- An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as Cat R. Waul (voice)
- Amnesty International's Big 30 as Self
- Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb as Narrator (voice)
1990
- Bullseye! as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
- The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson as Self
- Life of Python as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
1989
- Erik the Viking as Halfdan the Black
- The Big Picture as Bartender
- Bosses From Hell as Brian
- Employees From Hell as Brian
- The Movie Life of George as Self
- The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
- Communicators From Hell as Brian
- Customers From Hell as Brian
- Quark the Dragon Slayer
1988
- A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
- John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- This Morning as Self
1987
1986
- Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
1985
- Silverado as Sheriff John T. Langston
- Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
1983
- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
- Group Madness as Self
- Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
- Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack
1982
- Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
- Wogan as Self
- Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- Whoops Apocalypse as Lacrobat
1981
- Wetten, dass..? as Self
- The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
- Time Bandits as Robin Hood
1980
- Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
- The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
- The Queen Special as Man in Bar
- The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
1979
- Golden Gordon as Passerby
- Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
- Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
- Not the Nine O'Clock News
- ...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
- The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
- The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
- Away from It All as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
1978
- An Audience with... as Self
- Snavely ... (Creator)
1977
- Three Piece Suite as Kevin
- The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It as Sherlock Holmes
- The Mermaid Frolics as Self- Various roles
1976
- The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
- The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- Ripping Yarns
- Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- Meetings, Bloody Meetings
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
- Awkward Customers as Brian
- Fawlty Towers as Basil Fawlty
- Monty 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
- More Awkward Customers as Brian
- How Not to Exhibit Yourself as John Cleese
1974
- Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
- Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
1973
- Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
- Is This a Record? as Various
- The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
- Monty Python In The Netherlands
1972
- Rentadick ... (Writer)
- Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- Who Sold You This, Then?
1971
- The Statue as Harry
- The Two Ronnies ... (Writer)
- Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- And 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 / Accountant #2 (falling past the window) / Vocational Guidance Counselor / Vivian Smith Smythe Smith / Mountie / Town Guild Lady
- Six Dates with Barker ... (Writer)
- The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1970
- The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
- Monty Python: Who's There? as Timothy
1969
- Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / Announcer
- The Magic Christian as Director in Sotheby's
- The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)
- Sez Les
- How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
1968
- Interlude as Television public relations man
- The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
1967
- Omnibus as Self
- Misleading Cases as Mr. Partridge
- At Last the 1948 Show
1966
- ABC Stage 67 ... (Writer)
- The Frost Report
1963
- Doctor Who as Art Gallery Visitor
1962
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
- That Was The Week That Was ... (Writer)
1961
- The Avengers as Marcus Rugman