What's After the Movie
Eric Idle
Eric Idle (born 29 March 1943) is an English actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, screenwriter, and playwright. He earned recognition as part of the British comedy group Monty Python and the parody rock band, the Rutles. Idle studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and joined Cambridge University Footlights. He accumulated numerous accolades over the years, including a Grammy Award and nominations for two Tony Awards. Idle gained stardom for co-creating and acting in the sketch series Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974), and the films Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983). His noteworthy modus operandi is his elaborate wordplay and musical numbers; he composed and performed many songs featured in Python projects.
After his time with Monty Python's Flying Circus, he created the sketch show Rutland Weekend Television (1975–1976), hosted Saturday Night Live four times, and appeared in various films such as The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), Nuns on the Run (1990), Splitting Heirs (1993), and many more. Idle made his Broadway debut with his adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail into a musical, Spamalot (2005), which was lauded with the Tony Award for Best Musical, and Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. He also wrote Not the Messiah (2009), and performed at the London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Eric Idle, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Eric Idle rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Eric Idle
Born: South Shields, England
Citizenship: British
Birthday: March 29, 1943
Occupations: Actor, Comedian, Songwriter, Musician, Screenwriter, Playwright
Years Active: 1967-present
Children: 2
Spouses: Lyn Ashley, Tania Kosevich
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Eric Idle
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Meaning of Life
Casper
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Quest for Camelot
Yellowbeard
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Not the Messiah (He’s a Very Naughty Boy)
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music
The Meaning of Monty Python
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
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Monty Python Live (Mostly)
The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles
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Monty Python’s Best Bits (Mostly)
The Secret Policeman’s Ball
What About Dick?
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO
The Entire Universe
Terry Pratchett: Back in Black
An Accidental Studio
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
The Rutles 2: Can’t Buy Me Lunch
The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking
The Scream Team
David Bowie - Sound and Vision
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure
Earth to America
The Roots of Monty Python
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam’s Personal Best
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Michael Palin’s Personal Best
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Terry Jones’ Personal Best
Life of Python
Nuns on the Run
Too Much Sun
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Eric Idle’s Personal Best
Monty Python’s Personal Best
Steve Martin’s Best Show Ever
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
The Tale of the Frog Prince
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
The Mikado
Around the World in 80 Days
A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion
How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Euroshow ’71: May Day Special
Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus
Mom and Dad Save the World
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Missing Pieces
Yellow Submarine Sandwich
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
Hercules: Zero to Hero
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
The Seventh Python
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Splitting Heirs
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
The Wind in the Willows
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Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)
And Now for Something Completely Different
Monty Python Conquers America
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn
Alice in Wonderland
The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Eric Idle, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2019
An Accidental Studio
Self (archive footage)
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Self (archive footage)
2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Self, others
The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles
Self / Nigel Spasm
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Self
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self
2012
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music
Self
The Secret Policeman’s Ball
Self
What About Dick?
The Piano
Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELO
Self
2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self
The Seventh Python
Self
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen
Self - 'Berthold'
2006
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam’s Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Michael Palin’s Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Terry Jones’ Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Eric Idle’s Personal Best
Various Characters
2005
Earth to America
Self
The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live
Self
2003
The Rutles 2: Can’t Buy Me Lunch
Melvin/Dirk McQuickly/Lady Beth Mouse-Peddler
The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’
Self
David Bowie - Sound and Vision
Self
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure
English Victim
1998
Quest for Camelot
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Self
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
Evil Martin (voice)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie
Slyly (voice)
1989
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Male Love Bird (voice) (uncredited)
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Male Love Bird (voice) (uncredited)
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
1983
The Meaning of Life
Yellowbeard
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
Various Roles
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
Gunther (uncredited)
1978
Yellow Submarine Sandwich
Dirk McQuickly (dialogue voice)
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
Dirk McQuickly/The Narrator/S.J. Krammerhead
1971
Euroshow ’71: May Day Special
Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
And Now for Something Completely Different
Prosecutor / Marriage Counselor / Arthur Nudge / Self-defence student #4 (interested in pointed sticks) / 'Hell's Grannies' analyst / Arthur Wilson / Arthur Wilson Two / Nightclub Emcee / Linkman / First General / Restaurant Manager / Lingerie Shop Owner
1966
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
Jazz Band Chauffeur (uncredited)
Alice in Wonderland
Young Man (uncredited)
1000
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Self
Monty Python’s Best Bits (Mostly)
Self (archive footage)
Monty Python’s Personal Best
Self / Various Characters
Around the World in 80 Days
Jean Passepartout
Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus
Various Characters
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)
Self
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