John Cleese
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 27, 1939
- Birthplace
- Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
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
Filmography
Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python TBA
Writer
- The Reception
The Reception TBA
Actor
- The Splendid Thing
The Splendid Thing TBA
Actor
- Taking The Wheel
Taking The Wheel TBA
as Nathan
How to Make Her Cheat TBA
as Terry
John Cleese Packs It In 2025
Actor, Writer
Fawlty Towers: The Play 2025
as Self, Writer, Adaptation
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers 2025
Actor
The Roast of John Cleese 2024
as Self
The Palace 2023
as Arthur William Dallas III
The Martini Shot 2023
as Dr. Auyeung
Rally Road Racers 2023
as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs 2023
as Self
Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom 2022
as Self (archive footage)
Daddy Daughter Trip 2022
as Frank
Clifford the Big Red Dog 2021
as Bridwell
Father Christmas Is Back 2021
as John Christmas
Why Are We (Not) Creative? 2021
as Self
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius 2021
as Interviewee
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated 2021
as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee 2020
as John
The Croods: A New Age 2020
Thanks, Characters
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp 2020
as Self
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness 2020
as Self
Assholes: A Theory 2019
as Himself
Arctic Dogs 2019
as Otto von Walrus (voice)
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails 2019
as Self (archive footage)
The Naked Wanderer 2019
as Brian King
An Accidental Studio 2019
as Self (archive footage)
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer 2018
as Donner (voice)
Why Are We Creative? 2018
as Self
Charming 2018
as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen 2018
Actor
Trolls 2016
as Roi Gristle (voice)
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves 2016
as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion 2016
as General Eeder
Behind Over the Garden Wall 2015
as Self
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown 2015
as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
Absolutely Anything 2015
as Chief Alien (voice)
Spud 3: Learning to Fly 2014
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
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
The Last Impresario 2014
as Self
The Meaning of Monty Python 2013
as Self
Planes 2013
as Bulldog (voice)
Spud 2: The Madness Continues 2013
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
The Croods 2013
Story
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker 2012
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
God Loves Caviar 2012
as McCormick
The Big Year 2011
as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure 2011
as Narrator
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live 2011
Actor
The Undefeated 2011
as Self (archive footage)
Winnie the Pooh 2011
as Narrator (voice)
Spud 2010
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Shrek Forever After 2010
as King Harold (voice)
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release 2010
as Self
Planet 51 2009
as Professor Kipple (voice)
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits 2009
as Self / Basil Fawlty
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened 2009
as Self / Basil Fawlty
The Pink Panther 2 2009
as Dreyfus
The Day the Earth Stood Still 2008
as Professor Barnhardt
We Are Most Amused 2008
as Self - Presenter
Gaybo Laughs Back 2008
as Self
Igor 2008
as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus 2008
as Self
The Seventh Python 2008
as Self
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation 2008
as Self
- Life Of Brian Screenplay
Life Of Brian Screenplay 2008
as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion, Screenplay
Monty Python Conquers America 2008
as Self
Shrek the Third 2007
as King Harold (voice)
Hitler: The Comedy Years 2007
as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
What the Pythons Did Next... 2007
as Self (archive footage)
The Secret Life of Brian 2007
as Self
Aud go'hjerta 2006
as Self (archive footage)
Charlotte's Web 2006
as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
L'Entente cordiale 2006
as Lord Conrad
Man About Town 2006
as Dr. Primkin
The Art of Football from A to Z 2006
as Self, Executive Producer
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 Various Roles (archive footage)
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
Return of the Goodies 2005
as Himself
Fawlty Towers Revisited 2005
as Himself
The Roots of Monty Python 2005
as Self (archive footage)
Valiant 2005
as Mercury (voice)
- The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy 2005
as Self
Complete Guide to Guys 2005
as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? 2004
as Self
The Making of Shrek 2 2004
as Self
Wine for the Confused 2004
as Self
Around the World in 80 Days 2004
as Grizzled Sergeant
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter 2004
as Self - Nearly Headless Nick
Shrek 2 2004
as King Harold (voice)
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
George of the Jungle 2 2003
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle 2003
as Mr. Munday
Scorched 2003
as Charles Merchant
Stupidity 2003
as Self
Best Ever Bond 2002
as Self / R
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen 2002
as Self
Die Another Day 2002
as Q
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2002
as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Mickey's House of Villains 2002
as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash 2002
as James
Making Rat Race 2002
as Himself
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe 2002
as Self
Zum letzten Kliff 2001
Original Story, Creative Consultant
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 2001
as Nearly Headless Nick
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse 2001
as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
Rat Race 2001
as Donald P. Sinclair
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese 2001
as Kendisi
The Magic Pudding 2000
as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big 2000
as The Giant Alien (voice)
The Life of Python 2000
as Self
Quantum Project 2000
as Alexander Pentcho
Isn't She Great 2000
as Henry Marcus
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn 2000
as Self
Rockstar 2000
as Interviewer in lounge
The World Is Not Enough 1999
as R
The Nutcracker 1999
as Narrator
30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation 1999
as Self
The Monty Python Story 1999
as Self
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm 1999
as Self
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches 1999
as Self
Mickey’s Mechanical House 1999
as Narrator (voice)
Parting Shots 1999
as Maurice Walpole
The Out-of-Towners 1999
as Mr. Mersault
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese 1998
as Self
Monty Python: Live at Aspen 1998
as Self
George of the Jungle 1997
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Fierce Creatures 1997
as Rollo Lee, Screenplay, Producer
The Wind in the Willows 1996
as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
Spike 1996
as Self
The Jungle Book 1994
as Dr. Julius Plumford
The Swan Princess 1994
as Jean-Bob (voice)
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein 1994
as Prof. Waldman
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? 1993
Actor
Splitting Heirs 1993
as Raoul P. Shadgrind
Amnesty International's Big 30 1991
as Self
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West 1991
as Cat R. Waul (voice)
- Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb 1991
as Narrator (voice)
Creativity in Management 1991
as Self
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson 1990
as Self
Bullseye! 1990
as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
Life of Python 1990
as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
Quark the Dragon Slayer 1989
Actor
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python 1989
as Self / Various Characters, Writer
The Big Picture 1989
as Bartender
Erik the Viking 1989
as Halfdan the Black
The Movie Life of George 1989
as Self
Interviewers From Hell 1989
Actor
Colleagues From Hell 1989
Actor
Sales People from Hell 1989
Actor
Teams from Hell 1989
Actor
Customer Service From Hell 1989
Actor
Employees From Hell 1989
as Brian
Communicators From Hell 1989
as Brian
Customers From Hell 1989
as Brian
Bosses From Hell 1989
as Brian
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball 1989
as Self
A Fish Called Wanda 1988
as Archie Leach, Executive Producer, Story, Screenplay
- Quark and the Highway Robber
Quark and the Highway Robber 1987
Actor
- Baby Quark
Baby Quark 1987
Actor
- Dragonslayer Quark
Dragonslayer Quark 1987
Actor
The Grand Knockout Tournament 1987
as Self
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball 1987
as Jim Cleese
Clockwise 1986
as Brian Stimpson
Silverado 1985
as Sheriff John T. Langston
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff 1985
as Self
Yellowbeard 1983
as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
Group Madness 1983
as Self
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 1983
as Various Roles, Screenplay
Privates on Parade 1983
as Major Giles Flack
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl 1982
as Various Roles, Writer
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball 1982
as Self - Various Roles, Assistant Director, Producer
Time Bandits 1981
as Robin Hood
The Great Muppet Caper 1981
as Neville
- The Tom Machine
The Tom Machine 1980
as Computer (voice)
Peter Cook & Co. 1980
as Himself / Various Characters
The Queen Special 1980
as Man in Bar
The Taming of the Shrew 1980
as Petruchio
The Secret Policeman's Ball 1979
as Himself - Various Roles, Producer, Stage Director
Doctor Who: City of Death 1979
as Art Gallery Visitor
Golden Gordon 1979
as Passerby
Life of Brian 1979
as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur, Screenplay
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 1979
as Self
...To Norway, Home of Giants! 1979
as Norman Fearless
Away from It All 1979
as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice), Director, Writer
Snavely 1978
Creator
Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” 1978
as Self
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It 1977
as Sherlock Holmes, Screenplay
The Mermaid Frolics 1977
as Self- Various roles, Writer
Three Piece Suite 1977
as Kevin
Pleasure at Her Majesty's 1976
as Self
Meetings, Bloody Meetings 1976
Actor
- How Not to Exhibit Yourself
How Not to Exhibit Yourself 1975
as John Cleese
More Awkward Customers 1975
as Brian, Writer
Awkward Customers 1975
as Brian, Writer
Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1975
as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter, Writer
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report 1974
as Self
Romance with a Double Bass 1974
as Smychkov, Adaptation
The Goodies and the Beanstalk 1973
as The Genie
Is This a Record? 1973
as Various, Additional Writing
Monty Python In The Netherlands 1973
as Narrator / Pie Face 2
Elementary, My Dear Watson 1973
as Sherlock Holmes
The Love Ban 1973
as Contraceptives Lecturer
Rentadick 1972
Writer
The Philosophers' Football Match 1972
as Archimedes
Who Sold You This, Then? 1972
Actor, Script
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 1971
Actor, Writer
And Now for Something Completely Different 1971
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, Screenplay
Euroshow '71: May Day Special 1971
as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
The Statue 1971
as Harry
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer 1970
as Pumer, Writer
Monty Python: Who's There? 1970
as Timothy
The Magic Christian 1969
as Director in Sotheby's, Additional Writing
The Best House in London 1969
as Jones (uncredited)
How to Irritate People 1969
as Himself - Various, Writer
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom 1968
as Post Office Clerk
Interlude 1968
as Television public relations man
Credits from TMDB.