Acting · Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK · Born May 5, 1943
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.
MovieDavid Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth
2026
as Self
MovieThe Magic Faraway Tree
2026
as Know All
TVSmall Prophets
2026
as Brian Sleep
MovieJoke
2026
TVMichael Palin in Venezuela
2025
as Self - Host
TVThe Secret Life of Trees
2025
as Self - Narrator
MovieWhen Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain
2025
as Self
MovieInnes Lloyd: The Producer
2025
as Self
MovieThe Academy of Armando
2025
as Self
TVDavid Frost Vs
2025
as self
MovieDame Maggie Smith - A Celebration
2024
as Self
MovieMy National Gallery, London
2024
as Self
TVMichael Palin in Nigeria
2024
as Self
How To Make It In Comedy
2024
MovieFawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
2023
as Self
TVMichael Palin: Into Iraq
2022
MovieThe Fringe, Fame and Me
2022
as Self
TVRemembers…
2022
MovieMonty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
2021
as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
MovieJeepers Creepers
2020
as Newscaster (voice)
TVMichael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime
2020
as Self - Host
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
2020
as Self
TVStaged
2020
as Michael
MoviePeter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
2020
as Self
TVWorzel Gummidge
2019
as The Green Man
MoviePython at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieAn Accidental Studio
2019
as Self
MovieFinal Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
2019
as Self
TVMichael Palin in North Korea
2018
as Self - Host
TVVanity Fair
2018
as William Makepeace Thackeray
MovieMichael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018
MovieThe Death of Stalin
2017
as Vyacheslav Molotov
MovieGeneration '66
2016
MovieAttenborough at 90
2016
as Self
MovieMichael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
2015
as Self
TVClangers
2015
as Narrator (voice)
Artsnight
2015
as Self
MovieAbsolutely Anything
2015
as Kindly Alien (voice)
TVA Life on Screen
2014
as Self
MovieRik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
2014
as Self
MovieSpike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
2014
as Self
TVRemember Me
2014
as Tom Parfitt
MovieMonty Python: The Meaning of Live
2014
as Self
TVMonty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
2014
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMonty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
as Self, others
MovieMonty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
2014
as Self
Movie50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
2014
as Self
MovieThe New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
2014
MovieAlexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns
2014
as Self
MovieNew Tales from Around the World in 80 Days
2014
as Self
MovieMichael Palin In Wyeth's World
2013
as Self
MovieThe Meaning of Monty Python
2013
as Self
MovieThe Wipers Times
2013
as General Mitford
MovieFrost on Sketch Shows
2013
as Self
MovieA Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
2012
as Various (voice)
MovieAnatomy of a Liar
2012
as Self
TVBrazil with Michael Palin
2012
as Self (Presenter)
MovieProduced by George Martin
2012
as Self
MovieThe Secret Policeman's Ball
2012
as Self
MovieArthur Christmas
2011
as Ernie Clicker (voice)
MovieMaking Qi
2011
as Self
TVThe Jonathan Ross Show
2011
as Self
TVPerspectives
2011
as Self
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema
2011
as Self
TVZULU Comedy Galla
2010
as Michael Palin
MovieNot The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
2010
MovieNot the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
2010
as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
MovieMonty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
2010
as Self
TVMonty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
2009
as Self
MovieMonty Python in Aberystwyth
2009
as Self
MovieFawlty Towers: Re-Opened
2009
as Self
MovieAround the World in 20 Years
2008
as Self
MovieInside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
2008
as Self
MovieGet Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
2008
as Self
MovieTimewatch: The Last Day of World War One
2008
as Presenter
MovieMonty Python: Before the Flying Circus
2008
as Self
MovieThe Seventh Python
2008
as Self
MovieWhat Is Brazil?
2008
as Self
MovieMarty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
2008
as Self
Life Of Brian Screenplay
2008
as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
MovieMonty Python Conquers America
2008
as Self
MovieRobbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
2007
as Gariiiiiii (voice)
TVMichael Palin's New Europe
2007
as Self
TVMovie Connections
2007
as Self
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
2007
as Self
MovieHitler: The Comedy Years
2007
as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
TVThe Graham Norton Show
2007
as Self
MovieWhat the Pythons Did Next...
2007
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Secret Life of Brian
2007
as Self
TVLegends
2006
as Self
TVThe One Show
2006
as Self - Guest
Movie50 Films to See Before You Die
2006
as Self
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
2006
as Various Characters
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
2006
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
2006
as Various Characters
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
2006
as Various Characters
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
as Various Characters
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
2006
as Various Characters
MovieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
as Various Characters
TVMonty Python's Personal Best
2006
as Self / Various Characters
MovieThe Roots of Monty Python
2005
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJohn Peel's Record Box
2005
as Self
MovieMichael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
2005
as Host
MovieRemember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
2004
as Self
MovieBest Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
2004
as Self
TVHimalaya with Michael Palin
2004
as Self - Presenter
MovieThe Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieConcert for George
2003
as Self
MovieThe Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
2003
as Self
MovieMichael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
2003
as Narrator
MovieLife on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
2002
as Self - Presenter
TVSahara with Michael Palin
2002
as Self - Presenter
MovieSpike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute
2002
as Self
MovieThe Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
2001
as Self
MovieThe Unknown Peter Sellers
2000
as Self
TVMichael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
1999
MovieMonty Python: From Spam to Sperm
1999
as Self
MovieThe Monty Python Story
1999
as Self
MovieMonty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
1999
as Self
MovieMonty Python: Pythonland
1999
Fantasy World Cup
1998
as Self
MovieMonty Python: Live at Aspen
1998
as Self
TVParkinson
1998
as Self
MoviePalin on Redpath
1997
as Self - Presenter
TVFull Circle with Michael Palin
1997
as Self
MovieFierce Creatures
1997
as Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
MovieThe Willows in Winter
1996
as Rat
MovieThe Wind in the Willows
1996
as The Sun
Clive Anderson All Talk
1996
as Self
MovieThe Wind in the Willows
1995
as Rat
TVThe Frank Skinner Show
1995
as Self
TVLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self - Guest
MovieTracey Ullman: A Class Act
1993
as Various
Meridian: The First Ten Minutes
1993
as Self
The First Night of Meridian
1993
as Self - Host
TVPole to Pole
1992
as Self
MovieRabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
1991
as Narrator (voice)
TVG.B.H.
1991
as Jim Nelson
MovieAmerican Friends
1991
as Rev. Francis Ashby
MovieThe Witches
1990
as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
MovieViz: The Documentary
1990
as Self
MovieLife of Python
1990
as Self / Various Roles
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
MovieParrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
1989
as Self / Various Characters
MovieThe Art Of Travel With Michael Palin
1989
as Self
TVMichael Palin: The Art of Travel
1989
TVMichael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
1989
as Self
MovieThe Movie Life of George
1989
as Self
MovieThe Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
1989
as Self
MovieA Fish Called Wanda
1988
as Ken Pile
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
1988
as Self
MovieNelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988
as Self
Daytime Live
1987
TVGoing Live!
1987
as Self
MovieThe Grand Knockout Tournament
1987
as Self
TVOmnibus Presents Comic Relief
1986
MovieComedians Do It On Stage
1986
as Self
MovieBrazil
1985
as Jack Lint
Friday People
1985
MovieA Private Function
1984
as Gilbert Chilvers
MovieThe Dress
1984
as Howard
MovieComic Roots: Michael Palin
1983
MovieMonty Python's The Meaning of Life
1983
as Various Roles
MovieThe Crimson Permanent Assurance
1983
as Workman
MovieThe Missionary
1982
as The Reverend Charles Fortescue
MovieMonty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
as Various Roles
TVWogan
1982
as Self
MovieThe Secret Policeman's Other Ball
1982
as Self - Various Roles
MovieTime Bandits
1981
as Vincent
MovieThe Box
1981
as (voice)
TVTravels with Palin
1980
as Self
TVGreat Railway Journeys
1980
as Self - Presenter
MovieThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1979
as Various Roles
MovieRoger of the Raj
1979
as Roger
MovieGolden Gordon
1979
as Gordon Ottershaw
MovieWhinfrey's Last Case
1979
as Gerald Whinfrey
TVFriday Night, Saturday Morning
1979
MovieLife 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
MovieThe Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
1979
as Self
MovieThe Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
1978
as Eric Manchester
MovieThe Curse of the Claw
1977
as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
MovieAcross the Andes by Frog
1977
as Captain Walter Snetterton
MovieMurder at Moorstones Manor
1977
as Charles Chiddingford
MovieEscape from Stalag Luft 112B
1977
as Major Errol Phipps
MovieThe Testing of Eric Olthwaite
1977
as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
MovieThe Broken Bottle
1977
MovieJabberwocky
1977
as Dennis Cooper
MoviePleasure at Her Majesty's
1976
as Self
TVThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1976
as Self
MovieTomkinson's Schooldays
1976
as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
TVRipping Yarns
1976
MovieThree Men in a Boat
1975
as Harris
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Co-Host
MovieMonty 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!
TVLes Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975
as Self
MovieMonty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
1974
as Self
MovieHenry Cleans Up
1974
as Henry
MovieIs This a Record?
1973
as Various
MovieMonty Python In The Netherlands
1973
Full House
1972
as Various
TVPebble Mill at One
1972
MovieThe Philosophers' Football Match
1972
as Nietzsche
TVMonty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
1972
as Various Characters
MovieThe Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
Film '72
1971
as Self
MovieAnd 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
MovieEuroshow '71: May Day Special
1971
as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
MovieMonty Python: Who's There?
1970
as Ken
MovieEnding It All
1970
TVMonty Python's Flying Circus
1969
as Various / "It's" man
MovieHow to Irritate People
1969
as Various
TVThe Complete and Utter History of Britain
1969
Frost on Sunday
1968
as Self / Various Characters
TVDo Not Adjust Your Set
1967
as Various Characters
Twice a Fortnight
1967
A Series of Bird's
1967
MovieIsadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
1966
as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
MovieClose-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
as salesman
