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.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Michael Palin in Venezuela as Self - Host
- 2024 · How To Make It In Comedy as
- 2022 · The Fringe, Fame and Me as Self
- 2020 · Staged as Michael
- 2015 · Absolutely Anything as Kindly Alien (voice)
- 2014 · Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 2013 · Frost on Sketch Shows as Self
- 2012 · A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- 2011 · Arthur Christmas as Ernie Clicker (voice)
- 2011 · The Jonathan Ross Show as Self
- 2010 · ZULU Comedy Galla as Michael Palin
- 2010 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
- 2008 · Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' as Self
- 2008 · Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' as Self
- 2008 · Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
- 2008 · The Seventh Python as Self
- 2008 · Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation 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
- 2003 · Concert for George as Self
- 2001 · The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations as Self
- 1998 · Parkinson as Self
- 1997 · Fierce Creatures as Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone
- 1996 · The Wind in the Willows as The Sun
- 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
- 1990 · The Witches as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
- 1989 · The Simpsons as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
- 1988 · A Fish Called Wanda as Ken Pile
- 1987 · Daytime Live as
- 1987 · Going Live! as Self
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1985 · Brazil as Jack Lint
- 1983 · Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
- 1982 · Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- 1982 · Wogan as Self
- 1981 · Time Bandits as Vincent
- 1979 · Golden Gordon as Gordon Ottershaw
- 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 · Across the Andes by Frog as Captain Walter Snetterton
- 1977 · The Testing of Eric Olthwaite as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
- 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
- 1971 · Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- 1969 · Clangers as Narrator (voice)
- 1969 · Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / "It's" man
- Future · The Magic Faraway Tree as
- 2025 · The Secret Life of Trees as Self - Narrator
- 2025 · When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain as Self
- 2025 · The Academy of Armando as Self
- 2024 · Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration as Self
- 2024 · Michael Palin in Nigeria as Self
- 2023 · Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
- 2022 · Michael Palin: Into Iraq as
- 2021 · Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- 2020 · Jeepers Creepers as Newscaster (voice)
- 2020 · Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime as Self - Host
- 2020 · Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation as Self
- 2020 · Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy as Self
- 2019 · Worzel Gummidge as The Green Man
- 2019 · Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · An Accidental Studio as Self
- 2019 · Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes as Himself
- 2018 · Michael Palin in North Korea as Himself - Host
- 2018 · Vanity Fair as William Makepeace Thackeray
- 2018 · Michael Palin: A Life on Screen as
- 2017 · The Death of Stalin as Vyacheslav Molotov
- 2016 · Generation '66 as
- 2016 · Attenborough at 90 as Self
- 2015 · Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia as Self
- 2015 · Artsnight as Self
- 2014 · A Life on Screen as Himself
- 2014 · Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule as Self
- 2014 · Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace as Himself
- 2014 · Remember Me as Tom Parfitt
- 2014 · Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 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
- 2014 · New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days as Himself.
- 2013 · Michael Palin In Wyeth's World as Himself
- 2013 · The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- 2013 · The Wipers Times as General Mitford
- 2012 · Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- 2012 · Brazil with Michael Palin as Self (Presenter)
- 2012 · Produced By George Martin as Self
- 2012 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- 2011 · Making Qi as Self
- 2011 · Perspectives as Self
- 2011 · The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema as Self
- 2010 · Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall as
- 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
- 2009 · Monty Python in Aberystwyth as Self
- 2009 · Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self
- 2008 · Around the World in 20 Years as Himself
- 2008 · Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One as Presenter
- 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 · Michael Palin's New Europe as Himself
- 2007 · Movie Connections as Self
- 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 Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle'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 · John Peel's Record Box as Self
- 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 · Himalaya with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter
- 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 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 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 · Sahara with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter
- 2002 · Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute as Self
- 2000 · The Unknown Peter Sellers as Himself
- 1999 · Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure as
- 1999 · Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
- 1999 · The Monty Python Story as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: Pythonland as
- 1998 · Fantasy World Cup as Self
- 1998 · Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
- 1997 · Palin on Redpath as Himself / Presenter
- 1997 · Full Circle with Michael Palin as Himself
- 1996 · The Willows in Winter as Rat
- 1996 · Clive Anderson All Talk as Self
- 1993 · Tracey Ullman: A Class Act as Various
- 1993 · Meridian: The First Ten Minutes as Self
- 1993 · The First Night of Meridian as Self - Host
- 1992 · Pole to Pole as Himself
- 1991 · The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam as
- 1991 · Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk as Narrator (voice)
- 1991 · G.B.H. as Jim Nelson
- 1991 · American Friends as Rev. Francis Ashby
- 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 · Michael Palin: The Art of Travel as
- 1989 · The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin as Self
- 1989 · Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days as Himself
- 1989 · The Movie Life of George as Self
- 1989 · The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1988 · John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1986 · Omnibus Presents Comic Relief as
- 1985 · Friday People as
- 1983 · Comic Roots: Michael Palin as
- 1983 · The Crimson Permanent Assurance as Workman
- 1982 · The Missionary as The Reverend Charles Fortescue
- 1982 · The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- 1979 · Roger of the Raj as Roger
- 1979 · The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
- 1977 · The Curse of the Claw as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
- 1977 · Murder at Moorstones Manor as Charles Chiddingford
- 1977 · Escape from Stalag Luft 112B as Major Errol Phipps
- 1976 · Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- 1976 · Tomkinson's Schooldays as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
- 1973 · Is This a Record? as Various
- 1972 · Full House as Various
- 1972 · Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- 1970 · Monty Python: Who's There? as Ken
- 1969 · How to Irritate People as Various
- 1969 · The Complete and Utter History of Britain as
- 1968 · Frost on Sunday as
- 1967 · Twice a Fortnight as
- 1967 · A Series of Bird's as
- Future · Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch as salesman
- 1986 · Comedians Do It On Stage as Self
- 1984 · A Private Function as Gilbert Chilvers
- 1984 · The Dress as Howard
- 1981 · The Box as (voice)
- 1980 · Travels with Palin as Himself
- 1980 · Great Railway Journeys as Self - Presenter
- 1979 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Various Roles
- 1979 · Whinfrey's Last Case as Gerald Whinfrey
- 1977 · The Broken Bottle as
- 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 Roger
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
- 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 · Monty Python In The Netherlands as
- 1971 · The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 as
- 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
- 1970 · Ending It All as
- 1967 · Do Not Adjust Your Set as Various Characters
- 1966 · Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
- Future · The Philosophers' Football Match as Nietzsche