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
- 2023 · The Dinosaur Hour Extra as
- 2023 · The Palace as Arthur William Dallas III
- 2023 · Rally Road Racers as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
- 2021 · Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
- 2021 · LOL: Last One Laughing as Self
- 2020 · Why there is no hope as Actor
- 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
- 2015 · Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
- 2014 · A Life on Screen as Himself
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Adelaide (voice)
- 2014 · Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Himself
- 2013 · Planes as Bulldog (voice)
- 2013 · The Last Leg as Self
- 2011 · Whitney as Dr. Grant
- 2011 · Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 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 · 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 · Markus Lanz as Self
- 2007 · More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy as
- 2007 · Movie Connections 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 · Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- 2005 · Valiant as Mercury (voice)
- 2004 · Entourage as John Cleese
- 2004 · Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
- 2004 · Shrek 2 as King Harold (voice)
- 2003 · George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (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
- 2002 · Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
- 2001 · Richard & Judy as Self
- 2001 · Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
- 2001 · Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
- 2001 · Rat Race as Donald P. Sinclair
- 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
- 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)
- 1982 · Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
- 1982 · Wogan as Self
- 1981 · Wetten, dass..? as Self
- 1979 · Not the Nine O'Clock News as
- 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
- 1970 · The Goodies as
- 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
- 1997 · George of the Jungle as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- 1988 · This Morning as Self
- 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
- 1982 · Whoops Apocalypse as
- 1979 · Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
- Future · Cancel Me as Self - Host / Presenter
- 2024 · The Roast of John Cleese as Self
- 2023 · The Martini Shot as Dr. Auyeung
- 2021 · Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
- 2021 · Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- 2020 · Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp as Self
- 2019 · Assholes: A Theory as Himself
- 2019 · Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
- 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)
- 2014 · Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 2013 · The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- 2013 · Spud 2: The Madness Continues as The Guv
- 2011 · John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live as
- 2011 · The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
- 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 · The Seventh Python as Self
- 2008 · Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
- 2008 · Monty Python Conquers America 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 · The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
- 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 · 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
- 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 · Concert for George as Self
- 2003 · The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
- 2003 · Scorched as Charles Merchant
- 2002 · Best Ever Bond as Self / R
- 2002 · Making Rat Race as Himself
- 2000 · The Life of Python as Self
- 2000 · Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
- 1999 · The Nutcracker as Narrator
- 1999 · The Monty Python Story as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999 · Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
- 1998 · Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
- 1996 · Spike as Himself
- 1991 · Amnesty International's Big 30 as Self
- 1990 · The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson as Self
- 1990 · Life of Python as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
- 1989 · Quark the Dragon Slayer as
- 1989 · The Movie Life of George as Self
- 1989 · The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1989 · Employees From Hell as Brian
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1987 · The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
- 1986 · Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
- 1983 · Group Madness as Self
- 1983 · Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack
- 1982 · The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- 1980 · Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
- 1980 · The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
- 1971 · The Statue as Harry
- 1970 · The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
- Future · Nuclear Bogeyheads as bogeyhead
- 2025 · Fawlty Towers: A Very British Comedy as
- 2023 · The Dinosaur Hour as
- 2023 · Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
- 2022 · Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
- 2021 · Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
- 2021 · Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
- 2020 · The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
- 2020 · Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness as Self
- 2019 · Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
- 2019 · The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
- 2018 · Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
- 2018 · Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
- 2018 · Michael Palin: A Life on Screen as
- 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 The Guv
- 2014 · Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 2014 · Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- 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)
- 2010 · Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2010 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
- 2009 · Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2008 · Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
- 2006 · The South Bank Show: Spamalot as
- 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 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—Terry Gilliam'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 · Return of the Goodies as Himself
- 2005 · Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
- 2005 · The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Himself
- 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 3 as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Stupidity as Self
- 2002 · Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
- 2002 · The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
- 2002 · Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self
- 2001 · Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
- 2001 · Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi
- 2000 · The Magic Pudding as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
- 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 Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
- 1998 · In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
- 1997 · Fierce Creatures as Rollo Lee
- 1996 · The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
- 1993 · Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? as
- 1993 · Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
- 1991 · Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb as Narrator (voice)
- 1990 · Bullseye! as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
- 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 · Bosses From Hell as Brian
- 1989 · Communicators From Hell as Brian
- 1989 · Customers From Hell as Brian
- 1988 · John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1987 · Dragonslayer Quark as
- 1987 · Baby Quark as
- 1987 · Quark and the Highway Robber as
- 1986 · The South Bank Show: John Cleese as
- 1985 · Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
- 1983 · Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
- 1982 · Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- 1981 · Time Bandits as Robin Hood
- 1981 · The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
- 1980 · The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
- 1980 · The Queen Special as Man in Bar
- 1979 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
- 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
- 1979 · ...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
- 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
- 1977 · Three Piece Suite as Kevin
- 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 · Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- 1974 · Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
- 1973 · Is This a Record? as Various
- 1973 · Monty Python In The Netherlands as
- 1973 · Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
- 1973 · The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
- 1972 · Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- 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)
- 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 · How to Make Her Cheat as Terry
- Future · Taking The Wheel as Nathan