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