What's After the Movie
John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese, born on October 27, 1939, is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and presenter. Known for his roles in the comedy troupe Monty Python, Cleese's works were highly influential in the world of comedy. He first gained success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report. He was a key figure in co-founding Monty Python, a comedy troupe responsible for the sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. Alongside his Python co-stars Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Graham Chapman, he starred in Monty Python films including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life.
In the mid-1970s, Cleese and his first wife Connie Booth co-wrote the sitcom Fawlty Towers, in which he starred as hotel owner Basil Fawlty. The show topped British Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes. Cleese co-starred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda and Fierce Creatures, both of which he also wrote. For A Fish Called Wanda, he received Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award nominations. He continued to star in various films such as Time Bandits, Clockwise, and Rat Race and was part of popular franchises including two James Bond films, two Harry Potter films, and the last three Shrek films. His contribution to comedy and the film industry has earned him an enduring legacy worldwide.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about John Cleese, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how John Cleese rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: John Marwood Cleese
Born: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England
Citizenship: British
Birthday: October 27, 1939
Occupations: Actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, presenter
Years Active: 1961-present
Children: 2
Spouses: Connie Booth, Barbara Trentham, Alyce Eichelberger, Jennifer Wade
External Links and Streaming Options
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Awards and Nominations Received by John Cleese
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations John Cleese has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Movies Featuring John Cleese
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Father Christmas Is Back
A Fish Called Wanda
The Meaning of Life
Fierce Creatures
Time Bandits
Arctic Dogs
The Great Muppet Caper
The Jungle Book
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Clifford the Big Red Dog
The Swan Princess
Rally Road Racers
Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All-Time- Vol. 3 Comedy and Camp
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
God Loves Caviar
Spud 2: The Madness Continues
Spud
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
The Meaning of Monty Python
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
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Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Anatomy of a Liar
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Monty Python’s Best Bits (Mostly)
Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
Behind Over the Garden Wall
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
Charming
Why Are We Creative?
An Accidental Studio
The Naked Wanderer
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Mickey’s House of Villains
Assholes: A Theory
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
The Magic Pudding
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Best Ever Bond
Scorched
The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’
Wine for the Confused
Stupidity
George of the Jungle 2
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Remember the Secret Policeman’s Ball?
The Roots of Monty Python
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Return of the Goodies
The Art of Football from A to Z
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Complete Guide to Guys
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
Man About Town
Life of Python
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Eric Idle’s Personal Best
Monty Python’s Personal Best
L’Entente cordiale
Bullseye!
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
Amnesty International’s Big 30
The Taming of the Shrew
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Privates on Parade
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
John Cleese’s First Farewell Performance
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Erik the Viking
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
Clockwise
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
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Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Romance with a Double Bass
Euroshow ’71: May Day Special
Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
…To Norway, Home of Giants!
The Love Ban
The Magic Christian
The Best House in London
Away from It All
Interlude
Is This a Record?
Monty Python: Who’s There?
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
The Seventh Python
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Doctor Who: City of Death
The Secret Policeman’s Ball
Splitting Heirs
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
The Wind in the Willows
Parting Shots
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Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Pleasure at Her Majesty’s
And Now for Something Completely Different
Daddy Daughter Trip
Monty Python Conquers America
The Mermaid Frolics
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
The Martini Shot
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Golden Gordon
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of John Cleese, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2023
Rally Road Racers
Archie Vainglorious
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Self
The Martini Shot
Dr. Auyeung
2021
Father Christmas Is Back
John Christmas
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Bridwell
Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Self
2020
Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All-Time- Vol. 3 Comedy and Camp
Self
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
Self
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
Self
2019
Arctic Dogs
Otto Von Walrus
An Accidental Studio
Self (archive footage)
The Naked Wanderer
Brian King
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Self (archive footage)
Assholes: A Theory
Himself
2018
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Donner
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
Charming
Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Why Are We Creative?
Self
2016
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
General Eeder
2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Self, others
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self
The Seventh Python
Self
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Self
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
2006
The Art of Football from A to Z
Self
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
Man About Town
Dr. Primkin
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Eric Idle’s Personal Best
Various Characters
L’Entente cordiale
Lord Conrad
2005
The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Himself
Return of the Goodies
Himself
Complete Guide to Guys
Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
2004
Wine for the Confused
Self
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Self
Remember the Secret Policeman’s Ball?
Self
2003
Scorched
Charles Merchant
The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’
Self
Stupidity
Self
George of the Jungle 2
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
2002
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Self
Best Ever Bond
Self / R
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Self
2001
Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
Mickey’s House of Villains
Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
2000
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
The Giant Alien (voice)
The Magic Pudding
Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
1990
Life of Python
Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
Bullseye!
Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Self
1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self
Erik the Viking
Halfdan the Black
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
1983
The Meaning of Life
Privates on Parade
Major Giles Flack
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
Various Roles
1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Various Roles
The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball
Self - Various Roles
1979
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Self
…To Norway, Home of Giants!
Norman Fearless
Away from It All
Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
Doctor Who: City of Death
Art Gallery Visitor
The Secret Policeman’s Ball
Himself - Various Roles
Golden Gordon
Passerby
1977
The Mermaid Frolics
Self- Various roles
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Sherlock Holmes
1971
Euroshow ’71: May Day Special
Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
And Now for Something Completely Different
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 Counse…
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