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.
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
External links
Filmography (Movies)
John Cleese Packs It In
Character:
Release Date:13/11/2025
Fawlty Towers: The Play
Character:Self
Release Date:19/09/2025
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
Character:
Release Date:31/05/2025
The Roast of John Cleese
Character:Self
Release Date:12/03/2024
The Palace
Character:Arthur William Dallas III
Release Date:28/09/2023
The Martini Shot
Character:Dr. Auyeung
Release Date:27/09/2023
Rally Road Racers
Character:Archie Vainglorious (voice)
Release Date:12/05/2023
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Character:Self
Release Date:06/05/2023
Daddy Daughter Trip
Character:Frank
Release Date:30/09/2022
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Character:Mr. Bridwell
Release Date:10/11/2021
Father Christmas Is Back
Character:John Christmas
Release Date:07/11/2021
Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Character:Self
Release Date:20/10/2021
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
Character:Interviewee
Release Date:10/10/2021
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Character:Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
Release Date:05/06/2021
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
Character:John
Release Date:10/12/2020
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
Character:Self
Release Date:23/06/2020
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
Character:Self
Release Date:21/04/2020
Assholes: A Theory
Character:Himself
Release Date:13/11/2019
Arctic Dogs
Character:Otto von Walrus (voice)
Release Date:01/11/2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:07/09/2019
The Naked Wanderer
Character:Brian King
Release Date:05/09/2019
An Accidental Studio
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:12/07/2019
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Character:Donner (voice)
Release Date:08/11/2018
Why Are We Creative?
Character:Self
Release Date:07/09/2018
Charming
Character:Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Release Date:26/03/2018
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
Character:
Release Date:07/01/2018
Trolls
Character:Roi Gristle (voice)
Release Date:13/10/2016
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Character:Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Release Date:12/09/2016
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
Character:General Eeder
Release Date:01/05/2016
Behind Over the Garden Wall
Character:Self
Release Date:08/07/2015
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
Character:Mr. Bellwood (voice)
Release Date:01/03/2015
Absolutely Anything
Character:Chief Alien (voice)
Release Date:13/02/2015
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Character:Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Release Date:16/12/2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Character:Self
Release Date:13/11/2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Character:Self, others
Release Date:20/07/2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Character:Self
Release Date:29/06/2014
The Meaning of Monty Python
Character:Self
Release Date:08/10/2013
Planes
Character:Bulldog (voice)
Release Date:09/08/2013
Spud 2: The Madness Continues
Character:Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Release Date:06/06/2013
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Character:Self
Release Date:24/12/2012
Anatomy of a Liar
Character:Self
Release Date:26/10/2012
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Character:Various (voice)
Release Date:08/09/2012
God Loves Caviar
Character:McCormick
Release Date:04/08/2012
The Big Year
Character:Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Release Date:13/10/2011
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
Character:Narrator
Release Date:04/10/2011
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
Character:
Release Date:11/08/2011
The Undefeated
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:15/07/2011
Winnie the Pooh
Character:Narrator (voice)
Release Date:06/04/2011
Spud
Character:Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Release Date:03/12/2010
Shrek Forever After
Character:King Harold (voice)
Release Date:20/05/2010
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/2010
Planet 51
Character:Professor Kipple (voice)
Release Date:19/11/2009
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
Character:Self / Basil Fawlty
Release Date:01/06/2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Character:Self / Basil Fawlty
Release Date:10/05/2009
The Pink Panther 2
Character:Dreyfus
Release Date:06/02/2009
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Character:Professor Barnhardt
Release Date:10/12/2008
We Are Most Amused
Character:Self - Presenter
Release Date:15/11/2008
Gaybo Laughs Back
Character:Self
Release Date:09/11/2008
Igor
Character:Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
Release Date:19/09/2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Character:Self
Release Date:01/07/2008
The Seventh Python
Character:Self
Release Date:26/06/2008
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Character:Self
Release Date:31/03/2008
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Character:Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
Release Date:29/01/2008
Monty Python Conquers America
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/2008
Shrek the Third
Character:King Harold (voice)
Release Date:17/05/2007
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Character:Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Release Date:10/05/2007
The Secret Life of Brian
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/2007
What the Pythons Did Next...
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2007
Aud go'hjerta
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:28/12/2006
Charlotte's Web
Character:Samuel the Sheep (voice)
Release Date:07/12/2006
L'Entente cordiale
Character:Lord Conrad
Release Date:21/06/2006
Man About Town
Character:Dr. Primkin
Release Date:08/06/2006
The Art of Football from A to Z
Character:Self
Release Date:25/05/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:01/03/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:27/02/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:27/02/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:27/02/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:22/02/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:22/02/2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Character:Various Characters
Release Date:22/02/2006
Return of the Goodies
Character:Himself
Release Date:30/12/2005
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Character:Himself
Release Date:01/12/2005
The Roots of Monty Python
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:26/11/2005
Valiant
Character:Mercury (voice)
Release Date:25/03/2005
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Character:Himself
Release Date:03/03/2005
Complete Guide to Guys
Character:Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
Release Date:01/01/2005
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Character:Self
Release Date:09/12/2004
Wine for the Confused
Character:Self
Release Date:21/10/2004
Around the World in 80 Days
Character:Grizzled Sergeant
Release Date:16/06/2004
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Character:Self
Release Date:11/06/2004
Shrek 2
Character:King Harold (voice)
Release Date:19/05/2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:01/01/2004
Concert for George
Character:Self
Release Date:03/10/2003
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Character:Self
Release Date:02/09/2003
George of the Jungle 2
Character:An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Release Date:18/08/2003
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Character:Mr. Munday
Release Date:25/06/2003
Scorched
Character:Charles Merchant
Release Date:17/05/2003
Stupidity
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/2003
Best Ever Bond
Character:Self / R
Release Date:22/11/2002
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Character:Self
Release Date:20/11/2002
Die Another Day
Character:Q
Release Date:17/11/2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Character:Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Release Date:13/11/2002
Mickey's House of Villains
Character:Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
Release Date:03/09/2002
The Adventures of Pluto Nash
Character:James
Release Date:16/08/2002
Making Rat Race
Character:Himself
Release Date:29/01/2002
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Character:Self
Release Date:12/01/2002
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Character:Nearly Headless Nick
Release Date:16/11/2001
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Character:Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
Release Date:06/11/2001
Rat Race
Character:Donald P. Sinclair
Release Date:17/08/2001
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
Character:Kendisi
Release Date:01/01/2001
The Magic Pudding
Character:Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
Release Date:14/12/2000
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
Character:The Giant Alien (voice)
Release Date:17/11/2000
The Life of Python
Character:Self
Release Date:31/10/2000
Quantum Project
Character:Alexander Pentcho
Release Date:05/05/2000
Isn't She Great
Character:Henry Marcus
Release Date:28/01/2000
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn
Character:Self
Release Date:22/01/2000
Rockstar
Character:Interviewer in lounge
Release Date:01/01/2000
The World Is Not Enough
Character:R
Release Date:17/11/1999
The Nutcracker
Character:Narrator
Release Date:23/10/1999
The Monty Python Story
Character:Self
Release Date:08/10/1999
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Character:Self
Release Date:08/10/1999
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Character:Self
Release Date:08/10/1999
Mickey’s Mechanical House
Character:Narrator (voice)
Release Date:11/09/1999
Parting Shots
Character:Maurice Walpole
Release Date:14/05/1999
The Out-of-Towners
Character:Mr. Mersault
Release Date:02/04/1999
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
Character:Self
Release Date:23/08/1998
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Character:Self
Release Date:21/03/1998
George of the Jungle
Character:An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Release Date:15/07/1997
Fierce Creatures
Character:Rollo Lee
Release Date:23/01/1997
The Wind in the Willows
Character:Mr. Toad's Lawyer
Release Date:16/10/1996
Spike
Character:Himself
Release Date:11/06/1996
The Jungle Book
Character:Dr. Julius Plumford
Release Date:23/12/1994
The Swan Princess
Character:Jean-Bob (voice)
Release Date:18/11/1994
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Character:Prof. Waldman
Release Date:04/11/1994
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
Character:
Release Date:17/06/1993
Splitting Heirs
Character:Raoul P. Shadgrind
Release Date:02/04/1993
Amnesty International's Big 30
Character:Self
Release Date:28/12/1991
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
Character:Cat R. Waul (voice)
Release Date:21/11/1991
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
Character:Narrator (voice)
Release Date:14/09/1991
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Character:Self
Release Date:21/11/1990
Bullseye!
Character:Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
Release Date:02/11/1990
Life of Python
Character:Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
Release Date:16/03/1990
Quark the Dragon Slayer
Character:
Release Date:20/12/1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Character:Self / Various Characters
Release Date:18/11/1989
The Big Picture
Character:Bartender
Release Date:15/09/1989
Erik the Viking
Character:Halfdan the Black
Release Date:01/09/1989
The Movie Life of George
Character:Self
Release Date:10/02/1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/1989
Bosses From Hell
Character:Brian
Release Date:01/01/1989
Customers From Hell
Character:Brian
Release Date:01/01/1989
Communicators From Hell
Character:Brian
Release Date:01/01/1989
Employees From Hell
Character:Brian
Release Date:01/01/1989
A Fish Called Wanda
Character:Archie Leach
Release Date:15/07/1988
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
Character:Self
Release Date:13/07/1988
Baby Quark
Character:
Release Date:02/12/1987
Dragonslayer Quark
Character:
Release Date:02/12/1987
Quark and the Highway Robber
Character:
Release Date:02/12/1987
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Character:Self
Release Date:19/06/1987
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Character:Jim Cleese
Release Date:01/01/1987
Clockwise
Character:Brian Stimpson
Release Date:01/03/1986
Silverado
Character:Sheriff John T. Langston
Release Date:10/07/1985
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
Character:Self
Release Date:09/07/1985
Yellowbeard
Character:Harvey 'Blind' Pew
Release Date:24/06/1983
Group Madness
Character:Self
Release Date:11/06/1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Character:Various Roles
Release Date:31/03/1983
Privates on Parade
Character:Major Giles Flack
Release Date:18/03/1983
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Character:Various Roles
Release Date:25/06/1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Character:Self - Various Roles
Release Date:01/03/1982
Time Bandits
Character:Robin Hood
Release Date:13/07/1981
The Great Muppet Caper
Character:Neville
Release Date:26/06/1981
The Tom Machine
Character:Computer (voice)
Release Date:20/11/1980
Peter Cook & Co.
Character:Himself / Various Characters
Release Date:14/11/1980
The Queen Special
Character:Man in Bar
Release Date:08/11/1980
The Taming of the Shrew
Character:Petruchio
Release Date:23/10/1980
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Character:Himself - Various Roles
Release Date:22/12/1979
Doctor Who: City of Death
Character:Art Gallery Visitor
Release Date:20/10/1979
Golden Gordon
Character:Passerby
Release Date:17/10/1979
Life of Brian
Character:Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
Release Date:17/08/1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Character:Self
Release Date:20/06/1979
...To Norway, Home of Giants!
Character:Norman Fearless
Release Date:05/05/1979
Away from It All
Character:Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
Release Date:01/01/1979
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Character:Sherlock Holmes
Release Date:18/09/1977
The Mermaid Frolics
Character:Self- Various roles
Release Date:10/09/1977
Three Piece Suite
Character:Kevin
Release Date:01/01/1977
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Character:Self
Release Date:29/12/1976
Meetings, Bloody Meetings
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1976
How Not to Exhibit Yourself
Character:John Cleese
Release Date:24/11/1975
More Awkward Customers
Character:Brian
Release Date:10/11/1975
Awkward Customers
Character:Brian
Release Date:09/11/1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Character:Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
Release Date:03/04/1975
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Character:Self
Release Date:19/12/1974
Romance with a Double Bass
Character:Smychkov
Release Date:01/01/1974
Is This a Record?
Character:Various
Release Date:01/06/1973
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Character:Sherlock Holmes
Release Date:18/01/1973
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Character:
Release Date:18/01/1973
The Love Ban
Character:Contraceptives Lecturer
Release Date:01/01/1973
Who Sold You This, Then?
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1972
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
Character:
Release Date:31/12/1971
And Now for Something Completely Different
Character: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
Release Date:28/09/1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Character:Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
Release Date:01/05/1971
The Statue
Character:Harry
Release Date:27/01/1971
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Character:Pumer
Release Date:12/11/1970
Monty Python: Who's There?
Character:Timothy
Release Date:15/04/1970
The Magic Christian
Character:Director in Sotheby's
Release Date:12/12/1969
The Best House in London
Character:Jones (uncredited)
Release Date:01/06/1969
How to Irritate People
Character:Himself - Various
Release Date:21/01/1969
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
Character:Post Office Clerk
Release Date:11/09/1968
Interlude
Character:Television public relations man
Release Date:01/05/1968
Television Appearances
The Dinosaur Hour Extra
Character:
The Dinosaur Hour
Character:Self
LOL: Last One Laughing
Character:Self
Why there is no hope
Character:Actor
Hold the Sunset
Character:Phil
Speechless
Character:Martin
John Bishop: In Conversation with...
Character:Self
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Character:Self
A Life on Screen
Character:Self
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Character:Self (archive footage)
Over the Garden Wall
Character:Adelaide (voice)
Over the Garden Wall
Character:Quincy Endicott (voice)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Character:Self
The Last Leg
Character:Self
Whitney
Character:Dr. Grant
Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Character:Narrator (voice)
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Character:Self
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
Character:Self - Contestant
Skavlan
Character:Self - Guest
Markus Lanz
Character:Self
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
Character:
Movie Connections
Character:Self
The Graham Norton Show
Character:Self - Guest
The Graham Norton Show
Character:Self
Legends
Character:Self
Robins
Character:Self - Guest
The One Show
Character:Self - Guest
Monty Python's Personal Best
Character:Self / Various Characters
Entourage
Character:John Cleese
Real Time with Bill Maher
Character:Self
NDR Kultur – Das Journal
Character:Self
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
Character:Red Lansing
Richard & Judy
Character:Self
The Human Face
Character:Presenter
Disney's House of Mouse
Character:
Disney's House of Mouse
Character:Narrator (voice)
Mickey Mouse Works
Character:Narrator (voice)
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Character:Self
Casper & Mandrilaftalen
Character:Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
Will & Grace
Character:Lyle Finster (uncredited)
Parkinson
Character:Self
E! True Hollywood Story
Character:
The Daily Show
Character:Self
3rd Rock from the Sun
Character:Dr. Liam Neesam
MADtv
Character:Self
Look at the State We're In!
Character:Harold Kingsby
Look at the State We're In!
Character:Politician
The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
Character:Self
Funny Business
Character:
This Morning
Character:Self
Cheers
Character:Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
Wogan
Character:Self
Whoops Apocalypse
Character:Lacrobat
Wetten, dass..?
Character:Self
Not the Nine O'Clock News
Character:
An Audience with...
Character:Self
The Muppet Show
Character:Self - Special Guest Star
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Character:Self
Ripping Yarns
Character:
Saturday Night Live
Character:Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Fawlty Towers
Character:Basil Fawlty
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character:Self
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
Character:Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Character:Various / Announcer
Sez Les
Character:
Sez Les
Character:self
Omnibus
Character:Self
Misleading Cases
Character:Mr. Partridge
At Last the 1948 Show
Character:
The Frost Report
Character:
Doctor Who
Character:Art Gallery Visitor
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Character:Self
The Avengers
Character:Marcus Rugman
Images
