John Cleese
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
Credits
- 2025 · The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers as
- 2024 · The Roast of John Cleese as Self
- 2023 · Rally Road Racers as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
- 2023 · Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
- 2022 · Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
- 2021 · LOL: Last One Laughing as Self
- 2019 · Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
- 2019 · Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
- 2016 · John Bishop: In Conversation with... as Self
- 2015 · A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
- 2015 · Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
- 2014 · Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 2014 · Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- 2013 · The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- 2012 · Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- 2012 · God Loves Caviar as McCormick
- 2011 · The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live as
- 2011 · The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
- 2009 · Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2009 · Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2009 · Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation as Self - Contestant
- 2008 · Igor as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
- 2008 · Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
- 2007 · What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · L'Entente cordiale as Lord Conrad
- 2006 · Man About Town as Dr. Primkin
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2005 · The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Himself
- 2004 · Wine for the Confused as Self
- 2003 · Concert for George as Self
- 2003 · The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
- 2002 · NDR Kultur - Das Journal as Self
- 2000 · Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big as The Giant Alien (voice)
- 2000 · Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
- 2000 · Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn as Self
- 1999 · The Nutcracker as Narrator
- 1999 · Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
- 1998 · In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
- 1997 · Fierce Creatures as Rollo Lee
- 1993 · Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? as
- 1993 · Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
- 1989 · The Big Picture as Bartender
- 1989 · Erik the Viking as Halfdan the Black
- 1989 · Bosses From Hell as Brian
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1986 · Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
- 1985 · Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
- 1981 · The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
- 1980 · The Queen Special as Man in Bar
- 1979 · Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
- 1979 · Not the Nine O'Clock News as
- 1977 · The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It as Sherlock Holmes
- 1977 · The Mermaid Frolics as Self- Various roles
- 1977 · Three Piece Suite as Kevin
- 1976 · Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- 1976 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as
- 1974 · Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
- 1973 · Is This a Record? as Various
- 1972 · Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- 1970 · The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
- 1970 · Monty Python: Who's There? as Timothy
- 1969 · The Magic Christian as Director in Sotheby's
- 1969 · Sez Les as
- 1969 · Sez Les as self
- Future · How to Make Her Cheat as Terry
- 2025 · John Cleese Packs It In as
- 2025 · Fawlty Towers: The Play as Self
- 2023 · The Dinosaur Hour as Self
- 2023 · The Palace as Arthur William Dallas III
- 2021 · Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- 2019 · The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
- 2018 · Hold the Sunset as Phil
- 2014 · A Life on Screen as Self
- 2014 · Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2010 · Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2009 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- 2003 · Scorched as Charles Merchant
- 2002 · Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
- 2001 · The Human Face as Presenter
- 2001 · Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi
- 1999 · Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
- 1999 · Casper & Mandrilaftalen as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
- 1996 · The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
- 1996 · E! True Hollywood Story as
- 1995 · MADtv as Self
- 1995 · Look at the State We're In! as Harold Kingsby
- 1995 · Look at the State We're In! as Politician
- 1990 · Bullseye! as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
- 1988 · This Morning as Self
- 1983 · Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
- 1975 · How Not to Exhibit Yourself as John Cleese
- Future · Taking The Wheel as Nathan
- 2023 · The Dinosaur Hour Extra as
- 2023 · The Martini Shot as Dr. Auyeung
- 2021 · Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
- 2021 · Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
- 2021 · Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
- 2021 · Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
- 2020 · The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
- 2020 · Why there is no hope as Actor
- 2020 · Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp as Self
- 2020 · Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness as Self
- 2019 · Assholes: A Theory as Himself
- 2019 · An Accidental Studio as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
- 2018 · Why Are We Creative? as Self
- 2018 · Michael Palin: A Life on Screen as
- 2016 · Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
- 2016 · Speechless as Martin
- 2016 · British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2016 · Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- 2015 · Behind Over the Garden Wall as Self
- 2014 · Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Adelaide (voice)
- 2014 · Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
- 2013 · Planes as Bulldog (voice)
- 2013 · Spud 2: The Madness Continues as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2013 · The Last Leg as Self
- 2012 · The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
- 2012 · A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- 2011 · Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
- 2011 · Whitney as Dr. Grant
- 2011 · Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 2010 · Shrek Forever After as King Harold (voice)
- 2009 · Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
- 2009 · The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
- 2009 · Skavlan as Self - Guest
- 2008 · The Day the Earth Stood Still as Professor Barnhardt
- 2008 · We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
- 2008 · Gaybo Laughs Back as Self
- 2008 · Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
- 2008 · The Seventh Python as Self
- 2008 · Markus Lanz as Self
- 2008 · Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
- 2008 · Monty Python Conquers America as Self
- 2007 · More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy as
- 2007 · Movie Connections as Self
- 2007 · Shrek the Third as King Harold (voice)
- 2007 · Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2007 · The Graham Norton Show as Self - Guest
- 2007 · The Graham Norton Show as Self
- 2007 · The Secret Life of Brian as Self
- 2006 · Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
- 2006 · Legends as Self
- 2006 · Robins as Self - Guest
- 2006 · The One Show as Self - Guest
- 2006 · The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2005 · Return of the Goodies as Himself
- 2005 · Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
- 2005 · The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
- 2005 · Valiant as Mercury (voice)
- 2005 · Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
- 2004 · Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
- 2004 · Entourage as John Cleese
- 2004 · Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
- 2004 · The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
- 2004 · Shrek 2 as King Harold (voice)
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- 2003 · Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle as Mr. Munday
- 2003 · Real Time with Bill Maher as Self
- 2003 · Stupidity as Self
- 2002 · Best Ever Bond as Self / R
- 2002 · Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
- 2002 · Die Another Day as Q
- 2002 · Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
- 2002 · Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
- 2002 · The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
- 2002 · Making Rat Race as Himself
- 2002 · Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self
- 2001 · Richard & Judy as Self
- 2001 · Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
- 2001 · Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
- 2001 · Rat Race as Donald P. Sinclair
- 2001 · Disney's House of Mouse as
- 2001 · Disney's House of Mouse as Narrator (voice)
- 2000 · The Magic Pudding as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
- 2000 · The Life of Python as Self
- 2000 · Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
- 2000 · Rockstar as Interviewer in lounge
- 1999 · The World Is Not Enough as R
- 1999 · Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999 · The Monty Python Story as Self
- 1999 · Mickey Mouse Works as Narrator (voice)
- 1999 · The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
- 1999 · The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
- 1998 · Will & Grace as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
- 1998 · Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
- 1998 · Parkinson as Self
- 1997 · George of the Jungle as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- 1996 · The Daily Show as Self
- 1996 · Spike as Himself
- 1996 · 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Liam Neesam
- 1994 · The Jungle Book as Dr. Julius Plumford
- 1994 · The Swan Princess as Jean-Bob (voice)
- 1994 · Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as Prof. Waldman
- 1992 · Funny Business as
- 1991 · Amnesty International's Big 30 as Self
- 1991 · An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as Cat R. Waul (voice)
- 1991 · Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb as Narrator (voice)
- 1990 · The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson as Self
- 1990 · Life of Python as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
- 1989 · Quark the Dragon Slayer as
- 1989 · Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
- 1989 · The Movie Life of George as Self
- 1989 · Employees From Hell as Brian
- 1989 · The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1989 · Customers From Hell as Brian
- 1989 · Communicators From Hell as Brian
- 1988 · A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
- 1988 · John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1987 · Quark and the Highway Robber as
- 1987 · Baby Quark as
- 1987 · Dragonslayer Quark as
- 1987 · The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
- 1985 · Silverado as Sheriff John T. Langston
- 1983 · Group Madness as Self
- 1983 · Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
- 1983 · Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack
- 1982 · Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
- 1982 · Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- 1982 · Wogan as Self
- 1982 · Whoops Apocalypse as Lacrobat
- 1982 · The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- 1981 · Time Bandits as Robin Hood
- 1981 · Wetten, dass..? as Self
- 1980 · The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
- 1980 · Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
- 1980 · The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
- 1979 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
- 1979 · Golden Gordon as Passerby
- 1979 · Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
- 1979 · The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
- 1979 · ...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
- 1979 · Away from It All as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
- 1978 · An Audience with... as Self
- 1976 · The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
- 1976 · Meetings, Bloody Meetings as
- 1975 · More Awkward Customers as Brian
- 1975 · Awkward Customers as Brian
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- 1975 · Fawlty Towers as Basil Fawlty
- 1975 · 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
- 1975 · Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
- 1974 · Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- 1973 · Monty Python In The Netherlands as
- 1973 · Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
- 1973 · The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
- 1972 · Who Sold You This, Then? as
- 1971 · The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 as
- 1971 · 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
- 1971 · Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- 1971 · The Statue as Harry
- 1969 · Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / Announcer
- 1969 · The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)
- 1969 · How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
- 1968 · The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
- 1968 · Interlude as Television public relations man
- 1967 · Omnibus as Self
- 1967 · Misleading Cases as Mr. Partridge
- 1967 · At Last the 1948 Show as
- 1966 · The Frost Report as
- 1963 · Doctor Who as Art Gallery Visitor
- 1962 · The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
- 1961 · The Avengers as Marcus Rugman
- Future · Cancel Me as Self - Host / Presenter
- Future · Untitled Fawlty Towers Reboot as Basil Fawlty
- Future · The Philosophers' Football Match as Archimedes