Michael Palin
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 5, 1943
- Birthplace
- Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK
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.
Filmography
Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python TBA
Writer
The Mystery of the Missing Morsel of Murder at Moorstones Manor TBA
as Charles Chiddingfold
Just Dandy TBA
as Self
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch TBA
as salesman
Secrets of the Bayeux Tapestry: Inside the Museum 2026
as Narrator
David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth 2026
as Self
The Magic Faraway Tree 2026
as Know All
Joke 2026
Actor
When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain 2025
as Self
Innes Lloyd: The Producer 2025
as Self
The Academy of Armando 2025
as Self
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration 2024
as Self
My National Gallery, London 2024
as Self
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs 2023
as Self
The Fringe, Fame and Me 2022
as Self
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated 2021
as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
Jeepers Creepers 2020
as Newscaster (voice)
- Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation 2020
as Self, Thanks
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy 2020
as Self
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails 2019
as Self (archive footage)
An Accidental Studio 2019
as Self
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes 2019
as Self
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen 2018
Actor
The Death of Stalin 2017
as Vyacheslav Molotov
Generation '66 2016
Actor
Attenborough at 90 2016
as Self
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia 2015
as Self
Absolutely Anything 2015
as Kindly Alien (voice)
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule 2014
as Self
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace 2014
as Self
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live 2014
as Self
Monty Python Live (Mostly) 2014
as Self, others, Writer
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar 2014
as Self
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy 2014
as Self
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything 2014
Actor
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns 2014
as Self
New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days 2014
as Self
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World 2013
as Self, Writer
The Meaning of Monty Python 2013
as Self
The Wipers Times 2013
as General Mitford
Frost on Sketch Shows 2013
as Self
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman 2012
as Various (voice)
Anatomy of a Liar 2012
as Self
Produced by George Martin 2012
as Self
Python Legs! 2012
Writer
The Secret Policeman's Ball 2012
as Self
Arthur Christmas 2011
as Ernie Clicker (voice)
Making Qi 2011
as Self
- The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema 2011
as Self
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall 2010
Actor
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) 2010
as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release 2010
as Self
Monty Python in Aberystwyth 2009
as Self
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened 2009
as Self
Around the World in 20 Years 2008
as Self, Writer
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One 2008
as Presenter
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' 2008
as Self
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' 2008
as Self
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus 2008
as Self
The Seventh Python 2008
as Self
What Is Brazil? 2008
as Self
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation 2008
as Self
- Life Of Brian Screenplay
Life Of Brian Screenplay 2008
as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper, Screenplay
Monty Python Conquers America 2008
as Self
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind 2007
as Gariiiiiii (voice)
Hitler: The Comedy Years 2007
as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Secret Life of Brian 2007
as Self
What the Pythons Did Next... 2007
as Self (archive footage)
50 Films to See Before You Die 2006
as Self
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best 2006
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best 2006
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best 2006
as Fish-Slapping Guide / Various Roles (archive footage), Writer
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best 2006
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best 2006
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best 2006
as Various Characters
The Roots of Monty Python 2005
as Self (archive footage)
John Peel's Record Box 2005
as Self
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi 2005
as Host
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? 2004
as Self
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' 2004
as Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 2004
as Self (archive footage)
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 2004
as Self (archive footage)
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 2004
as Self (archive footage)
Concert for George 2003
as Self
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' 2003
as Self
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse 2003
as Self - Presenter
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television 2002
as Self - Presenter
Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute 2002
as Self
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations 2001
as Self
The Unknown Peter Sellers 2000
as Self
30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation 1999
as Self
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm 1999
as Self
The Monty Python Story 1999
as Self
Monty Python: Pythonland 1999
Actor
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches 1999
as Self
Monty Python: Live at Aspen 1998
as Self
Palin on Redpath 1997
as Self - Presenter, Writer
Fierce Creatures 1997
as Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
The Willows in Winter 1996
as Rat
The Wind in the Willows 1996
as The Sun
The Wind in the Willows 1995
as Rat (voice)
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act 1993
as Various
- The First Night of Meridian
The First Night of Meridian 1993
as Self - Host
- Meridian: The First Ten Minutes
Meridian: The First Ten Minutes 1993
as Self
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk 1991
as Narrator (voice)
American Friends 1991
as Rev. Francis Ashby, Writer
The Witches 1990
as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
Viz: The Documentary 1990
as Self
Life of Python 1990
as Self / Various Roles
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python 1989
as Self / Various Characters, Writer
The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin 1989
as Self
The Movie Life of George 1989
as Self
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball 1989
as Self
Number 27 1988
Writer
A Fish Called Wanda 1988
as Ken Pile
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute 1988
as Self
Consuming Passions 1988
Theatre Play
The Grand Knockout Tournament 1987
as Self
East of Ipswich 1987
Writer
Comedians Do It On Stage 1986
as Self
Brazil 1985
as Jack Lint
A Private Function 1984
as Gilbert Chilvers
The Dress 1984
as Howard
Comic Roots: Michael Palin 1983
as Self / Jealous Reporter, Writer
The Crimson Permanent Assurance 1983
as Workman
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 1983
as Various Roles, Screenplay
The Missionary 1982
as The Reverend Charles Fortescue, Writer, Producer
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl 1982
as Various Roles, Writer
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball 1982
as Self - Various Roles
Time Bandits 1981
as Vincent, Writer
The Box 1981
as (voice), Screenplay
The Secret Policeman's Ball 1979
as Various Roles
Roger of the Raj 1979
as Roger, Writer
Golden Gordon 1979
as Gordon Ottershaw, Writer
Whinfrey's Last Case 1979
as Gerald Whinfrey, Writer
Life of Brian 1979
as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus, Screenplay
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 1979
as Self
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash 1978
as Eric Manchester
Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” 1978
as Commentator / Self, Director
The Curse of the Claw 1977
as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack, Writer
Across the Andes by Frog 1977
as Captain Walter Snetterton, Writer
Murder at Moorstones Manor 1977
as Charles Chiddingford, Writer
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B 1977
as Major Errol Phipps, Writer
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite 1977
as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager, Writer
The Broken Bottle 1977
Actor
Jabberwocky 1977
as Dennis Cooper
Pleasure at Her Majesty's 1976
as Self
Tomkinson's Schooldays 1976
as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt, Writer
Three Men in a Boat 1975
as Harris
Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1975
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!, Writer
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report 1974
as Self
Henry Cleans Up 1974
as Henry, Writer
Secrets 1973
Writer
Is This a Record? 1973
as Various, Additional Writing
Monty Python In The Netherlands 1973
as Pie Face 3
The Philosophers' Football Match 1972
as Nietzsche
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 1971
Actor, Writer
And Now for Something Completely Different 1971
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, Screenplay
Euroshow '71: May Day Special 1971
as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
Monty Python: Who's There? 1970
as Ken
Ending It All 1970
Actor
How to Irritate People 1969
as Various
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World 1966
as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
Credits from TMDB.