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