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

2025

2019

Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
An Accidental Studio as Self (archive footage)
Assholes: A Theory as Himself
The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)

2018

Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Hold the Sunset as Phil
Why Are We Creative? as Self
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

2016

Speechless as Martin
Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
John Bishop: In Conversation with... as Self
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)

2015

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown as Mr. Bellwood (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's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
A Life on Screen as Self
Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
The Last Impresario as Self
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self

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)
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
Anatomy of a Liar as Self

2011

Whitney as Dr. Grant
Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live

2010

Conan as Self - Guest
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

Skavlan as Self - Guest
Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation as Self - Contestant
The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
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)
We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
Monty Python Conquers America as Self
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation 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)
Movie Connections as Self
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
The Secret Life of Brian as Self

2006

The One Show as Self - Guest
Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
Legends as Self
Robins as Self - Guest
Man About Town as Dr. Primkin
Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
L'Entente cordiale as Lord Conrad
The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
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—Michael Palin's 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—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)

2005

Valiant as Mercury (voice)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Self
Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
Return of the Goodies 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
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
Wine for the Confused 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)

2003

Real Time with Bill Maher as Self
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle as Mr. Munday
Canterbury Tales as Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Concert for George as Self
Scorched as Charles Merchant
Stupidity as Self
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self

2002

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Die Another Day as Q
NDR Kultur – Das Journal as Self
Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
Making Rat Race as Himself
Best Ever Bond as Self / R
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self

2001

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
Disney's House of Mouse
Richard & Judy as Self
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
Zum letzten Kliff ... (Original Story)
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi

2000

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)
Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
The Life of Python as Self
Rockstar as Interviewer in lounge
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn as Self

1999

Mickey Mouse Works as Narrator (voice)
The World Is Not Enough as R
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
Casper & Mandrilaftalen as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
The Nutcracker as Narrator
Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
The Monty Python Story 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
E! True Hollywood Story
The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
Spike as Self

1995

Look at the State We're In! as Harold Kingsby
MADtv as Self

1994

The Swan Princess as Jean-Bob (voice)
The Jungle Book as Dr. Julius Plumford
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as Prof. Waldman
The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller as Self

1993

Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

1992

Funny Business

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)
Creativity in Management as Self

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
The Movie Life of George as Self
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
Employees From Hell as Brian
Bosses From Hell as Brian
Quark the Dragon Slayer
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
Customer Service From Hell
Communicators From Hell as Brian
Interviewers From Hell
Colleagues From Hell
Sales People from Hell
Teams from Hell
Customers From Hell as Brian

1988

A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
This Morning as Self
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self

1987

The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
Baby Quark
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
Quark and the Highway Robber
Dragonslayer Quark

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
Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
Group Madness as Self
Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack

1982

Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
Wogan as Self
Whoops Apocalypse as Lacrobat
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles

1981

Wetten, dass..? as Self
Time Bandits as Robin Hood
The Great Muppet Caper as Neville

1980

The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
The Queen Special as Man in Bar

1979

Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
Not the Nine O'Clock News
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
Golden Gordon as Passerby
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
Three Piece Suite as Kevin
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 / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited)
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
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
Awkward Customers as Brian
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

The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
Monty Python In The Netherlands
The Goodies and the Beanstalk as The Genie
Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
Is This a Record? as Various

1972

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
Rentadick ... (Writer)
Who Sold You This, Then?

1971

The Two Ronnies ... (Writer)
Six Dates with Barker ... (Writer)
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
The Statue as Harry
Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
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
Sez Les
The Magic Christian as Director in Sotheby's
How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)

1968

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
Interlude as Television public relations man

1967

Omnibus as Self
Titel, Thesen, Temperamente as Self (archive footage)
At Last the 1948 Show
Misleading Cases as Mr. Partridge

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