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
- 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 · Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Adelaide (voice)
- 2014 · The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Himself
- 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 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
- 2009 · Skavlan as Self - Guest
- 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)
- 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 · 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
- 1988 · A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
- 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
- 1969 · Sez Les as
- 1969 · Sez Les as self
- 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)
- 2021 · Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
- 2020 · Why there is no hope as Actor
- 2019 · Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
- 2018 · Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
- 2018 · Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
- 2015 · Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
- 2014 · A Life on Screen as Himself
- 2014 · Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- 2013 · Planes as Bulldog (voice)
- 2011 · The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 2009 · Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
- 2009 · The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
- 2008 · The Day the Earth Stood Still as Professor Barnhardt
- 2008 · Igor as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
- 2006 · Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
- 2005 · Valiant as Mercury (voice)
- 2004 · Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
- 2002 · The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
- 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
- 1991 · An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as Cat R. Waul (voice)
- 1989 · The Big Picture as Bartender
- 1988 · This Morning as Self
- 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
- 1972 · Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- Future · Cancel Me as Self - Host / Presenter
- 2025 · Fawlty Towers: A Very British Comedy as
- 2024 · The Roast of John Cleese as Self
- 2023 · Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
- 2021 · Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
- 2018 · Michael Palin: A Life on Screen as
- 2014 · Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- 2012 · Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- 2010 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
- 2008 · We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
- 2006 · The South Bank Show: Spamalot as
- 2006 · The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
- 2005 · Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
- 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 · The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
- 2003 · Stupidity as Self
- 2000 · Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big as The Giant Alien (voice)
- 2000 · Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
- 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
- 1989 · Communicators From Hell as Brian
- 1988 · John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1983 · Group Madness as Self
- 1980 · Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
- 1979 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
- 1979 · ...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
- 1979 · Away from It All as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
- 1977 · The Mermaid Frolics as Self- Various roles
- 1977 · Three Piece Suite as Kevin
- 1976 · Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- 1974 · Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- 1973 · Is This a Record? as Various
- 1973 · The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
- Future · Nuclear Bogeyheads as bogeyhead
- 2025 · John Cleese Packs It In as
- 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
- 2022 · Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
- 2021 · Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
- 2021 · Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
- 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 · 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 · Why Are We Creative? as Self
- 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 Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 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 · 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 · John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live as
- 2011 · The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2009 · Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2009 · Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2008 · Gaybo Laughs Back 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
- 2008 · Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
- 2008 · Monty Python Conquers America as Self
- 2007 · More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy as
- 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 · 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—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin'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 · Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
- 2004 · Wine for the Confused as Self
- 1996 · Spike as Himself
- 1989 · Employees From Hell as Brian
- Future · How to Make Her Cheat as Terry
- 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 · The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
- 2003 · Concert for George as Self
- 2003 · George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- 2003 · Scorched as Charles Merchant
- 2002 · Best Ever Bond as Self / R
- 2002 · Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
- 2002 · Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
- 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 · Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
- 1999 · Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999 · The Monty Python Story as Self
- 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
- 1995 · Look at the State We're In! as Minister
- 1993 · Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? as
- 1993 · Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
- 1992 · Funny Business as
- 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 · Erik the Viking as Halfdan the Black
- 1989 · The Movie Life of George as Self
- 1989 · The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1989 · Bosses From Hell as Brian
- 1989 · Customers From Hell as Brian
- 1987 · Quark and the Highway Robber as
- 1987 · Baby Quark as
- 1987 · Dragonslayer Quark as
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1987 · The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
- 1986 · Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
- 1986 · The South Bank Show: John Cleese as
- 1985 · Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
- 1983 · Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
- 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 · The Queen Special as Man in Bar
- 1980 · The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
- 1979 · Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
- 1979 · Golden Gordon as Passerby
- 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
- 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 · Who Sold You This, Then? as
- 1971 · The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 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 · Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- 1971 · The Statue as Harry
- 1970 · The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
- 1970 · Monty Python: Who's There? as Timothy
- 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 · Taking The Wheel as Nathan