

John Cleese
Actor · Director · WriterJohn 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.
More details at TMDB
KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
ACTOR222

The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2025

John Cleese Packs It In
2025

Fawlty Towers: The Play
2025
Self

The Roast of John Cleese
2024
Self

The Palace
2023
Arthur William Dallas III

The Martini Shot
2023
Dr. Auyeung

Rally Road Racers
2023
Archie Vainglorious (voice)

Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
2023
Self

Daddy Daughter Trip
2022
Frank

Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
2021
Interviewee

Why Are We (Not) Creative?
2021
Self

Father Christmas Is Back
2021
John Christmas

Clifford the Big Red Dog
2021
Mr. Bridwell

Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
2021
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)

Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
2020
Self

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
2020
John

Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
2020
Self

Arctic Dogs
2019
Otto von Walrus (voice)

An Accidental Studio
2019
Self (archive footage)

The Naked Wanderer
2019
Brian King

Assholes: A Theory
2019
Himself

Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
2019
Self (archive footage)

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
2018
Donner (voice)

Charming
2018
Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018

Why Are We Creative?
2018
Self

Trolls
2016
Roi Gristle (voice)

British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
2016
Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)

Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
2016
General Eeder

Absolutely Anything
2015
Chief Alien (voice)

A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
2015
Mr. Bellwood (voice)

Behind Over the Garden Wall
2015
Self

Monty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
Self, others

Spud 3: Learning to Fly
2014
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
2014
Self

Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
2014
Self

The Last Impresario
2014
Self

Planes
2013
Bulldog (voice)

Spud 2: The Madness Continues
2013
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

The Meaning of Monty Python
2013
Self

A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
2012
Various (voice)

Anatomy of a Liar
2012
Self

God Loves Caviar
2012
McCormick

The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
2012
Self

Winnie the Pooh
2011
Narrator (voice)

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
2011
Narrator

John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2011

The Undefeated
2011
Self (archive footage)

The Big Year
2011
Historical Montage Narrator (voice)

Shrek Forever After
2010
King Harold (voice)

Spud
2010
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
2010
Self

The Pink Panther 2
2009
Dreyfus

Planet 51
2009
Professor Kipple (voice)

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
2009
Self / Basil Fawlty

Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
2009
Self / Basil Fawlty

The Day the Earth Stood Still
2008
Professor Barnhardt
- Life Of Brian Screenplay
Life Of Brian Screenplay
2008
Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion

Igor
2008
Dr. Glickenstein (voice)

The Seventh Python
2008
Self

We Are Most Amused
2008
Self - Presenter

Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
2008
Self

Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
2008
Self

Monty Python Conquers America
2008
Self

Gaybo Laughs Back
2008
Self

Shrek the Third
2007
King Harold (voice)

Hitler: The Comedy Years
2007
Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)

The Secret Life of Brian
2007
Self

What the Pythons Did Next...
2007
Self (archive footage)

L'Entente cordiale
2006
Lord Conrad

Man About Town
2006
Dr. Primkin

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Charlotte's Web
2006
Samuel the Sheep (voice)

The Art of Football from A to Z
2006
Self

Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters

Aud go'hjerta
2006
Self (archive footage)

Valiant
2005
Mercury (voice)
- The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
Self

Fawlty Towers Revisited
2005
Himself

The Roots of Monty Python
2005
Self (archive footage)

Return of the Goodies
2005
Himself

Complete Guide to Guys
2005
Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon

Around the World in 80 Days
2004
Grizzled Sergeant

Shrek 2
2004
King Harold (voice)

Wine for the Confused
2004
Self

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
2004
Self

The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
2004
Self

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
2004
Self (archive footage)

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
2004
Self (archive footage)

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
2004
Self (archive footage)

Scorched
2003
Charles Merchant

George of the Jungle 2
2003
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
2003
Mr. Munday

Stupidity
2003
Self

The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
2003
Self

Concert for George
2003
Self

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2002
Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)

The Adventures of Pluto Nash
2002
James

Mickey's House of Villains
2002
Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)

Die Another Day
2002
Q

Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
2002
Self
- Best Ever Bond
Best Ever Bond
2002
Self / R

Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
2002
Self

Making Rat Race
2002
Himself

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
2001
Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2001
Nearly Headless Nick

Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
2001
Kendisi

Rat Race
2001
Donald P. Sinclair

Quantum Project
2000
Alexander Pentcho

The Magic Pudding
2000
Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)

Isn't She Great
2000
Henry Marcus

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
2000
The Giant Alien (voice)

Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn
2000
Self

Rockstar
2000
Interviewer in lounge

The Life of Python
2000
Self

The Out-of-Towners
1999
Mr. Mersault

The World Is Not Enough
1999
R

Parting Shots
1999
Maurice Walpole

The Monty Python Story
1999
Self

Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
1999
Self

Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
1999
Self

The Nutcracker
1999
Narrator

Mickey’s Mechanical House
1999
Narrator (voice)

In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
1998
Self

Monty Python: Live at Aspen
1998
Self

George of the Jungle
1997
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)

Fierce Creatures
1997
Rollo Lee

The Wind in the Willows
1996
Mr. Toad's Lawyer

Spike
1996
Self

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
1994
Prof. Waldman

The Jungle Book
1994
Dr. Julius Plumford

The Swan Princess
1994
Jean-Bob (voice)

Splitting Heirs
1993
Raoul P. Shadgrind

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1993

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
1991
Cat R. Waul (voice)

Amnesty International's Big 30
1991
Self
- Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
1991
Narrator (voice)

Creativity in Management
1991
Self

Life of Python
1990
Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)

Bullseye!
1990
Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
1990
Self

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
1989
Self

Quark the Dragon Slayer
1989

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
1989
Self / Various Characters

Erik the Viking
1989
Halfdan the Black

The Big Picture
1989
Bartender

The Movie Life of George
1989
Self

Bosses From Hell
1989
Brian

Customers From Hell
1989
Brian

Communicators From Hell
1989
Brian

Employees From Hell
1989
Brian

Customer Service From Hell
1989

Teams from Hell
1989

Sales People from Hell
1989

Colleagues From Hell
1989

Interviewers From Hell
1989

A Fish Called Wanda
1988
Archie Leach
- John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
1988
Self

The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
1987
Jim Cleese
- Baby Quark
Baby Quark
1987
- Dragonslayer Quark
Dragonslayer Quark
1987
- Quark and the Highway Robber
Quark and the Highway Robber
1987

The Grand Knockout Tournament
1987
Self

Clockwise
1986
Brian Stimpson

Silverado
1985
Sheriff John T. Langston

Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
1985
Self

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
1983
Various Roles

Yellowbeard
1983
Harvey 'Blind' Pew

Privates on Parade
1983
Major Giles Flack

Group Madness
1983
Self

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
Various Roles

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
1982
Self - Various Roles

Time Bandits
1981
Robin Hood

The Great Muppet Caper
1981
Neville

The Taming of the Shrew
1980
Petruchio
- The Tom Machine
The Tom Machine
1980
Computer (voice)

Peter Cook & Co.
1980
Himself / Various Characters

The Queen Special
1980
Man in Bar

Life of Brian
1979
Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur

The Secret Policeman's Ball
1979
Himself - Various Roles

The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
1979
Self

...To Norway, Home of Giants!
1979
Norman Fearless

Doctor Who: City of Death
1979
Art Gallery Visitor

Away from It All
1979
Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)

Golden Gordon
1979
Passerby

The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
1977
Sherlock Holmes

The Mermaid Frolics
1977
Self- Various roles

Three Piece Suite
1977
Kevin

Pleasure at Her Majesty's
1976
Self

Meetings, Bloody Meetings
1976

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975
Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
- How Not to Exhibit Yourself
How Not to Exhibit Yourself
1975
John Cleese

Awkward Customers
1975
Brian

More Awkward Customers
1975
Brian

Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
1974
Self

Romance with a Double Bass
1974
Smychkov

Is This a Record?
1973
Various

The Love Ban
1973
Contraceptives Lecturer

Elementary, My Dear Watson
1973
Sherlock Holmes

Monty Python In The Netherlands
1973

The Goodies and the Beanstalk
1973
The Genie

Who Sold You This, Then?
1972

The Philosophers' Football Match
1972
Archimedes

And Now for Something Completely Different
1971
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

The Statue
1971
Harry

Euroshow '71: May Day Special
1971
Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
1970
Pumer

Monty Python: Who's There?
1970
Timothy

The Magic Christian
1969
Director in Sotheby's

How to Irritate People
1969
Himself - Various

The Best House in London
1969
Jones (uncredited)

Interlude
1968
Television public relations man

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
1968
Post Office Clerk

How to Make Her Cheat
Terry
- Taking The Wheel
Taking The Wheel
Nathan
- The Splendid Thing
The Splendid Thing
DIRECTOR3
WRITER26

John Cleese Packs It In
2025
Writer

Fawlty Towers: The Play
2025
Writer

The Croods: A New Age
2020
Characters

Monty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
Writer

The Croods
2013
Story
- Life Of Brian Screenplay
Life Of Brian Screenplay
2008
Screenplay

Zum letzten Kliff
2001
Original Story

Fierce Creatures
1997
Screenplay

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
1989
Writer

A Fish Called Wanda
1988
Story, Screenplay

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
1983
Screenplay

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
Writer

Life of Brian
1979
Screenplay

Away from It All
1979
Writer

The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
1977
Screenplay

The Mermaid Frolics
1977
Writer

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975
Writer

More Awkward Customers
1975
Writer

Awkward Customers
1975
Writer

Romance with a Double Bass
1974
Adaptation

Rentadick
1972
Writer

And Now for Something Completely Different
1971
Screenplay

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
Writer

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
1970
Writer

How to Irritate People
1969
Writer

Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python
Writer






