John Cleese
Acting • Born 1939-10-27
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
295 credits
Life of Brian
Movie • 1979
Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
A Fish Called Wanda
Movie • 1988
Archie Leach
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Movie • 2002
Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Shrek Forever After
Movie • 2010
King Harold (voice)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Movie • 2008
Professor Barnhardt
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Movie • 1975
Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
Around the World in 80 Days
Movie • 2004
Grizzled Sergeant
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Movie • 1994
Prof. Waldman
Shrek the Third
Movie • 2007
King Harold (voice)
Shrek 2
Movie • 2004
King Harold (voice)
George of the Jungle
Movie • 1997
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
The Jungle Book
Movie • 1994
Dr. Julius Plumford
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Movie • 1983
Various Roles
Scorched
Movie • 2003
Charles Merchant
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Movie • 1974
Self
Splitting Heirs
Movie • 1993
Raoul P. Shadgrind
Daddy Daughter Trip
Movie • 2022
Frank
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Movie • 2001
Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash
Movie • 2002
James
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Movie • 1977
Sherlock Holmes
L'Entente cordiale
Movie • 2006
Lord Conrad
Yellowbeard
Movie • 1983
Harvey 'Blind' Pew
The Magic Christian
Movie • 1969
Director in Sotheby's
The Swan Princess
Movie • 1994
Jean-Bob (voice)
Quantum Project
Movie • 2000
Alexander Pentcho
Mickey's House of Villains
Movie • 2002
Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
Silverado
Movie • 1985
Sheriff John T. Langston
Clockwise
Movie • 1986
Brian Stimpson
Romance with a Double Bass
Movie • 1974
Smychkov
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Movie • 1982
Various Roles
Fierce Creatures
Movie • 1997
Rollo Lee
The Out-of-Towners
Movie • 1999
Mr. Mersault
George of the Jungle 2
Movie • 2003
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Movie • 2003
Mr. Munday
And Now for Something Completely Different
Movie • 1971
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 Magic Pudding
Movie • 2000
Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
Man About Town
Movie • 2006
Dr. Primkin
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Movie • 2008
Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
Charlotte's Web
Movie • 2006
Samuel the Sheep (voice)
Valiant
Movie • 2005
Mercury (voice)
Wine for the Confused
Movie • 2004
Self
Igor
Movie • 2008
Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
The World Is Not Enough
Movie • 1999
R
Die Another Day
Movie • 2002
Q
Time Bandits
Movie • 1981
Robin Hood
Stupidity
Movie • 2003
Self
The Great Muppet Caper
Movie • 1981
Neville
The Pink Panther 2
Movie • 2009
Dreyfus
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Movie • 2004
Self
Spud
Movie • 2010
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Planet 51
Movie • 2009
Professor Kipple (voice)
The Wind in the Willows
Movie • 1996
Mr. Toad's Lawyer
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
Movie • 2021
Interviewee
The Art of Football from A to Z
Movie • 2006
Self
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Movie • 2007
Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
How to Irritate People
Movie • 1969
Himself - Various
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
Movie • 1985
Self
Winnie the Pooh
Movie • 2011
Narrator (voice)
The Taming of the Shrew
Movie • 1980
Petruchio
Is This a Record?
Movie • 1973
Various
Privates on Parade
Movie • 1983
Major Giles Flack
The Secret Life of Brian
Movie • 2007
Self
Isn't She Great
Movie • 2000
Henry Marcus
How Not to Exhibit Yourself
Movie • 1975
John Cleese
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
Movie • 2011
Narrator
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Movie • 1976
Self
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Movie • 1979
Himself - Various Roles
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Movie • 1982
Self - Various Roles
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Movie • 1987
Jim Cleese
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Movie • 1989
Self
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Movie • 1979
Self
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Movie • 1970
Pumer
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
Movie • 2011
Life of Python
Movie • 1990
Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
Parting Shots
Movie • 1999
Maurice Walpole
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Movie • 2012
Various (voice)
Who Sold You This, Then?
Movie • 1972
Planes
Movie • 2013
Bulldog (voice)
Quark the Dragon Slayer
Movie • 1989
The Statue
Movie • 1971
Harry
Spud 2: The Madness Continues
Movie • 2013
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
The Palace
Movie • 2023
Arthur William Dallas III
Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Movie • 2021
Self
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Movie • 2005
Self
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Movie • 2004
Self
How to Make Her Cheat
Movie
Terry
Anatomy of a Liar
Movie • 2012
Self
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Movie • 2005
Himself
Interlude
Movie • 1968
Television public relations man
The Seventh Python
Movie • 2008
Self
The Martini Shot
Movie • 2023
Dr. Auyeung
Absolutely Anything
Movie • 2015
Chief Alien (voice)
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
Movie • 2020
Self
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Movie • 1989
Self / Various Characters
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Movie • 2014
Self, others
Rally Road Racers
Movie • 2023
Archie Vainglorious (voice)
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Movie • 2002
Self
Erik the Viking
Movie • 1989
Halfdan the Black
Dragonslayer Quark
Movie • 1987
Baby Quark
Movie • 1987
Quark and the Highway Robber
Movie • 1987
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Movie • 1971
Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
God Loves Caviar
Movie • 2012
McCormick
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
Movie • 1991
Cat R. Waul (voice)
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
Movie • 1993
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Movie • 2014
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Movie • 2009
Self / Basil Fawlty
The Tom Machine
Movie • 1980
Computer (voice)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Movie • 2001
Nearly Headless Nick
Amnesty International's Big 30
Movie • 1991
Self
The Best House in London
Movie • 1969
Jones (uncredited)
The Love Ban
Movie • 1973
Contraceptives Lecturer
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Movie • 2014
Self
...To Norway, Home of Giants!
Movie • 1979
Norman Fearless
Best Ever Bond
Movie • 2002
Self / R
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Movie • 2023
Self
We Are Most Amused
Movie • 2008
Self - Presenter
The Roast of John Cleese
Movie • 2024
Self
Doctor Who: City of Death
Movie • 1979
Art Gallery Visitor
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Movie • 2003
Self
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
Movie • 2000
The Giant Alien (voice)
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Movie • 2008
Self
The Big Picture
Movie • 1989
Bartender
Taking The Wheel
Movie
Nathan
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
Movie • 2015
Mr. Bellwood (voice)
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Movie • 1987
Self
Away from It All
Movie • 1979
Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
Trolls
Movie • 2016
Roi Gristle (voice)
Arctic Dogs
Movie • 2019
Otto von Walrus (voice)
Golden Gordon
Movie • 1979
Passerby
Bullseye!
Movie • 1990
Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
Movie • 1998
Self
The Movie Life of George
Movie • 1989
Self
The Roots of Monty Python
Movie • 2005
Self (archive footage)
Meetings, Bloody Meetings
Movie • 1976
An Accidental Studio
Movie • 2019
Self (archive footage)
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Movie • 1973
Sherlock Holmes
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Movie • 1973
What the Pythons Did Next...
Movie • 2007
Self (archive footage)
Awkward Customers
Movie • 1975
Brian
More Awkward Customers
Movie • 1975
Brian
Return of the Goodies
Movie • 2005
Himself
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Movie • 2016
Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
Movie • 2016
General Eeder
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Movie • 2018
Donner (voice)
Charming
Movie • 2018
Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Peter Cook & Co.
Movie • 1980
Himself / Various Characters
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Movie • 2004
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Movie • 2004
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
Movie • 2004
Self (archive footage)
The Meaning of Monty Python
Movie • 2013
Self
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn
Movie • 2000
Self
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Movie • 1999
Self
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Movie • 1999
Self
The Monty Python Story
Movie • 1999
Self
The Undefeated
Movie • 2011
Self (archive footage)
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
Movie • 2018
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Movie • 2012
Self
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Movie • 2008
Self
Monty Python Conquers America
Movie • 2008
Self
The Naked Wanderer
Movie • 2019
Brian King
Rockstar
Movie • 2000
Interviewer in lounge
Group Madness
Movie • 1983
Self
The Nutcracker
Movie • 1999
Narrator
The Big Year
Movie • 2011
Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Movie • 2014
Self
The Life of Python
Movie • 2000
Self
Assholes: A Theory
Movie • 2019
Himself
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
Movie • 2020
John
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
Movie • 1988
Self
Spike
Movie • 1996
Self
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Movie • 2019
Self (archive footage)
Complete Guide to Guys
Movie • 2005
Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
The Queen Special
Movie • 1980
Man in Bar
Monty Python: Who's There?
Movie • 1970
Timothy
Behind Over the Garden Wall
Movie • 2015
Self
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
Movie • 1971
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
Movie • 2020
Self
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
Movie • 1968
Post Office Clerk
The Mermaid Frolics
Movie • 1977
Self- Various roles
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
Movie • 2009
Self / Basil Fawlty
Father Christmas Is Back
Movie • 2021
John Christmas
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Movie • 2021
Mr. Bridwell
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Movie • 2002
Self
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Movie • 1998
Self
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Movie • 2021
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
Concert for George
Movie • 2003
Self
Three Piece Suite
Movie • 1977
Kevin
Making Rat Race
Movie • 2002
Himself
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
Movie • 1991
Narrator (voice)
Bosses From Hell
Movie • 1989
Brian
Customers From Hell
Movie • 1989
Brian
Communicators From Hell
Movie • 1989
Brian
Employees From Hell
Movie • 1989
Brian
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
Movie • 2010
Self
Gaybo Laughs Back
Movie • 2008
Self
Why Are We Creative?
Movie • 2018
Self
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
Movie • 2001
Kendisi
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Movie • 1990
Self
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
Movie • 2025
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Movie • 2006
Various Characters
John Cleese Packs It In
Movie • 2025
Aud go'hjerta
Movie • 2006
Self (archive footage)
The Philosophers' Football Match
Movie
Archimedes
Fawlty Towers: The Play
Movie • 2025
Self
Mickey’s Mechanical House
Movie • 1999
Narrator (voice)
Rat Race
Movie • 2001
Donald P. Sinclair
The Goodies and the Beanstalk
Movie • 1973
The Genie
Customer Service From Hell
Movie • 1989
Teams from Hell
Movie • 1989
Sales People from Hell
Movie • 1989
Colleagues From Hell
Movie • 1989
Interviewers From Hell
Movie • 1989
Creativity in Management
Movie • 1991
Self
Monty Python's Flying Circus
TV • 1969
Various / Announcer
At Last the 1948 Show
TV • 1967
The One Show
TV • 2006
Self - Guest
Doctor Who
TV • 1963
Art Gallery Visitor
Monty Python's Personal Best
TV • 2006
Self / Various Characters
Entourage
TV • 2004
John Cleese
Fawlty Towers
TV • 1975
Basil Fawlty
Disney's House of Mouse
TV • 2001
The Avengers
TV • 1961
Marcus Rugman
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
The Secret Policeman's Ball
TV • 1976
Self
Richard & Judy
TV • 2001
Self
Will & Grace
TV • 1998
Lyle Finster (uncredited)
The Muppet Show
TV • 1976
Self - Special Guest Star
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV • 2015
Self
MADtv
TV • 1995
Self
Robins
TV • 2006
Self - Guest
The Frost Report
TV • 1966
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
TV • 2002
Red Lansing
Movie Connections
TV • 2007
Self
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
TV • 2007
The Human Face
TV • 2001
Presenter
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
TV • 1999
Self
Casper & Mandrilaftalen
TV • 1999
Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
LOL: Last One Laughing
TV • 2021
Self
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
TV • 2009
Self
Whitney
TV • 2011
Dr. Grant
Misleading Cases
TV • 1967
Mr. Partridge
The Daily Show
TV • 1996
Self
Skavlan
TV • 2009
Self - Guest
The Graham Norton Show
TV • 2007
Self - Guest
Sez Les
TV • 1969
Wetten, dass..?
TV • 1981
Self
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
TV • 1972
Various Characters
Not the Nine O'Clock News
TV • 1979
Ripping Yarns
TV • 1976
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
An Audience with...
TV • 1978
Self
The Graham Norton Show
TV • 2007
Self
Funny Business
TV • 1992
Mickey Mouse Works
TV • 1999
Narrator (voice)
Hold the Sunset
TV • 2018
Phil
Wogan
TV • 1982
Self
The Dinosaur Hour
TV • 2023
Self
The Dinosaur Hour Extra
TV • 2023
A Life on Screen
TV • 2014
Self
3rd Rock from the Sun
TV • 1996
Dr. Liam Neesam
Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
TV • 2011
Narrator (voice)
Cancel Me
TV
Self - Host / Presenter
John Bishop: In Conversation with...
TV • 2016
Self
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
TV • 1975
Self
Omnibus
TV • 1967
Self
Speechless
TV • 2016
Martin
Markus Lanz
TV • 2008
Self
Legends
TV • 2006
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV • 2014
Self
Real Time with Bill Maher
TV • 2003
Self
Untitled Fawlty Towers Reboot
TV
Basil Fawlty
NDR Kultur – Das Journal
TV • 2002
Self
Cheers
TV • 1982
Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
Why there is no hope
TV • 2020
Actor
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
TV • 2014
Self (archive footage)
Over the Garden Wall
TV • 2014
Quincy Endicott (voice)
Over the Garden Wall
TV • 2014
Adelaide (voice)
Sez Les
TV • 1969
self
Parkinson
TV • 1998
Self
This Morning
TV • 1988
Self
The Last Leg
TV • 2013
Self
Disney's House of Mouse
TV • 2001
Narrator (voice)
Whoops Apocalypse
TV • 1982
Lacrobat
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
TV • 2009
Self - Contestant
Look at the State We're In!
TV • 1995
Harold Kingsby
Look at the State We're In!
TV • 1995
Politician
The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
TV • 1994
Self