Michael Palin
Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. Palin wrote most of his comedic material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", and "The Spanish Inquisition". Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and, most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Palin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Credits
- 2024 · Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration as Self
- 2024 · Michael Palin in Nigeria as Self
- 2022 · Michael Palin: Into Iraq as
- 2021 · Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- 2020 · Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime as Self - Host
- 2020 · Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation as Self
- 2020 · Staged as Michael
- 2019 · Worzel Gummidge as The Green Man
- 2019 · An Accidental Studio as Self
- 2018 · Michael Palin in North Korea as Himself - Host
- 2018 · Vanity Fair as William Makepeace Thackeray
- 2017 · The Death of Stalin as Vyacheslav Molotov
- 2016 · Attenborough at 90 as Self
- 2015 · Artsnight as Self
- 2015 · Absolutely Anything as Kindly Alien (voice)
- 2014 · A Life on Screen as Himself
- 2014 · Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule as Self
- 2014 · Remember Me as Tom Parfitt
- 2014 · Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 2014 · Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 2013 · The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- 2012 · Brazil with Michael Palin as Self (Presenter)
- 2012 · A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- 2012 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- 2011 · Arthur Christmas as Ernie Clicker (voice)
- 2011 · The Jonathan Ross Show as Self
- 2010 · ZULU Comedy Galla as Michael Palin
- 2010 · Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
- 2009 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
- 2008 · Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
- 2008 · Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
- 2007 · Michael Palin's New Europe as Himself
- 2007 · Movie Connections as Self
- 2007 · The Alan Titchmarsh Show as Self
- 2007 · Hitler: The Comedy Years as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2007 · The Graham Norton Show as Self
- 2006 · Legends as Self
- 2006 · The One Show as Self - Guest
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as
- 2006 · Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2005 · John Peel's Record Box as Self
- 2004 · Himalaya with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter
- 2003 · Concert for George as Self
- 2002 · Sahara with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter
- 1999 · Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure as
- 1998 · Fantasy World Cup as Self
- 1998 · Parkinson as Self
- 1997 · Full Circle with Michael Palin as Himself
- 1997 · Fierce Creatures as Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone
- 1996 · The Wind in the Willows as The Sun
- 1996 · Clive Anderson All Talk as Self
- 1995 · The Wind in the Willows as Rat
- 1995 · The Frank Skinner Show as Self
- 1993 · Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- 1992 · Pole to Pole as Himself
- 1991 · G.B.H. as Jim Nelson
- 1991 · American Friends as Rev. Francis Ashby
- 1990 · The Witches as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
- 1989 · The Simpsons as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
- 1989 · Michael Palin: The Art of Travel as
- 1989 · Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days as Himself
- 1989 · The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1988 · A Fish Called Wanda as Ken Pile
- 1987 · Daytime Live as
- 1987 · Going Live! as Self
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1986 · Omnibus Presents Comic Relief as
- 1985 · Brazil as Jack Lint
- 1984 · A Private Function as Gilbert Chilvers
- 1983 · Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
- 1983 · The Crimson Permanent Assurance as Workman
- 1982 · The Missionary as The Reverend Charles Fortescue
- 1982 · Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- 1982 · Wogan as Self
- 1982 · The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- 1981 · Time Bandits as Vincent
- 1980 · Travels with Palin as Himself
- 1980 · Great Railway Journeys as Self - Presenter
- 1979 · Life of Brian as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
- 1978 · The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash as Eric Manchester
- 1977 · Jabberwocky as Dennis Cooper
- 1976 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as Gerald Whinfrey
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as Roger
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Host
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- 1975 · Monty Python and the Holy Grail as First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad the Pure / Narrator / King of Swamp Castle / Brother Maynard's Brother / Leader of The Knights Who Say NI!
- 1975 · Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
- 1972 · Pebble Mill at One as
- 1972 · Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- 1971 · And Now for Something Completely Different as Gumby / Man with tape recorder / Phrasebook Author / Arthur Pewtey / Second self - defence student / Second Tenant / Lost His Wallet / Shrill Petrol Announcer / Milkman / Ernest Scribbler / Pet shop employee / Lumberjack / Headwaiter Gilberto / Herbert Anchovy / Blackmail Presenter / Gervais Brookhamster / Town Guild Lady
- 1969 · Clangers as Narrator (voice)
- 1969 · Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / "It's" man
- 1969 · The Complete and Utter History of Britain as
- 1968 · Frost on Sunday as
- 1967 · Do Not Adjust Your Set as Various Characters
- 1967 · Twice a Fortnight as
- 1967 · A Series Of Bird's as
- 1966 · Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
- Future · The Magic Faraway Tree as
- 2025 · When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain as
- 2025 · The Academy of Armando as Self
- 2024 · How To Make It In Comedy as
- 2023 · Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
- 2022 · The Fringe, Fame and Me as Self
- 2020 · Jeepers Creepers as Newscaster (voice)
- 2020 · Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy as Self
- 2019 · Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes as Himself
- 2018 · Michael Palin: A Life on Screen as
- 2016 · Generation '66 as
- 2015 · Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia as Self
- 2014 · Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace as Himself
- 2014 · Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- 2014 · 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy as Self
- 2014 · The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything as
- 2014 · Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns as Self
- 2013 · Michael Palin In Wyeth's World as Himself
- 2013 · The Wipers Times as General Mitford
- 2013 · Frost on Sketch Shows as Self
- 2012 · Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- 2012 · Produced By George Martin as Self
- 2011 · Making Qi as Self
- 2011 · The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema as Self
- 2010 · Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall as
- 2010 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
- 2009 · Monty Python in Aberystwyth as Self
- 2009 · Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self
- 2008 · Around the World in 20 Years as Himself
- 2008 · Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' as Self
- 2008 · Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' as Self
- 2008 · The Last Day of World War One as Presenter
- 2008 · The Seventh Python as Self
- 2008 · What Is Brazil? as Self
- 2008 · Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
- 2008 · Monty Python Conquers America as Self
- 2007 · Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind as Gariiiiiii (voice)
- 2007 · What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
- 2007 · The Secret Life of Brian as Self
- 2006 · The South Bank Show: Spamalot as
- 2006 · 50 Films to See Before You Die as Self
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese'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—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2005 · The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
- 2005 · Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi as Host
- 2004 · Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
- 2004 · Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' as Self
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
- 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)
- 2003 · The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
- 2003 · Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse as Narrator
- 2002 · Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television as Himself - Presenter
- 2002 · Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute as Self
- 2001 · The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations as Self
- 2000 · The Unknown Peter Sellers as Himself
- 1999 · Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
- 1999 · The Monty Python Story as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: Pythonland as
- 1998 · Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
- 1997 · Palin on Redpath as Himself / Presenter
- 1996 · The Willows in Winter as Rat
- 1993 · Tracey Ullman: A Class Act as Various
- 1991 · The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam as
- 1991 · Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk as Narrator (voice)
- 1990 · Viz: The Documentary as Self
- 1990 · Life of Python as Self / Various Roles
- 1989 · Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
- 1989 · The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin as Self
- 1989 · The Movie Life of George as Self
- 1988 · John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1986 · Comedians Do It On Stage as Self
- 1984 · The Dress as Howard
- 1983 · Comic Roots: Michael Palin as
- 1981 · The Box as (voice)
- 1979 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Various Roles
- 1979 · Roger of the Raj as Roger
- 1979 · Golden Gordon as Gordon Ottershaw
- 1979 · Whinfrey's Last Case as Gerald Whinfrey
- 1979 · The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
- 1977 · The Curse of the Claw as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
- 1977 · Across the Andes by Frog as Captain Walter Snetterton
- 1977 · Murder at Moorstones Manor as Charles Chiddingford
- 1977 · Escape from Stalag Luft 112B as Major Errol Phipps
- 1977 · The Testing of Eric Olthwaite as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
- 1977 · The Broken Bottle as
- 1976 · Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- 1976 · Tomkinson's Schooldays as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
- 1975 · Three Men in a Boat as Harris
- 1974 · Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- 1974 · Henry Cleans Up as Henry
- 1973 · Is This a Record? as Various
- 1973 · Monty Python In The Netherlands as
- 1971 · The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 as
- 1971 · Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- 1970 · Monty Python: Who's There? as Ken
- 1969 · How to Irritate People as Various
- Future · Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch as salesman
- 1970 · Ending It All as