Acting · Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK · Born October 27, 1939
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
TVSoccer's American Dream
2026
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJohn Cleese Packs It In
2025
MovieFawlty Towers: The Play
2025
as Self
MovieThe Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2025
MovieThe Roast of John Cleese
2024
as Self
The Dinosaur Hour Extra
2023
TVThe Dinosaur Hour
2023
as Self
MovieThe Palace
2023
as Arthur William Dallas III
MovieThe Martini Shot
2023
as Dr. Auyeung
MovieRally Road Racers
2023
as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
MovieFawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
2023
as Self
MovieJamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieDaddy Daughter Trip
2022
as Frank
MovieClifford the Big Red Dog
2021
as Mr. Bridwell
MovieFather Christmas Is Back
2021
as John Christmas
MovieWhy Are We (Not) Creative?
2021
as Self
MovieAlexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
2021
as Interviewee
MovieMonty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
2021
as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
TVLOL: Last One Laughing
2021
as Self
MovieThe Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
2020
as John
TVWhy there is no hope
2020
as Actor
Gay Byrne's Late Late Moments
2020
as Self (archive footage)
MovieTime Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
2020
as Self
MovieTime Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
2020
as Self
TVTime Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time
2020
as Self
MovieAssholes: A Theory
2019
as Himself
MovieArctic Dogs
2019
as Otto von Walrus (voice)
MoviePython at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Naked Wanderer
2019
as Brian King
MovieAn Accidental Studio
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieElliot: The Littlest Reindeer
2018
as Donner (voice)
MovieWhy Are We Creative?
2018
as Self
MovieCharming
2018
as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
TVHold the Sunset
2018
as Phil
MovieMichael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018
MovieTrolls
2016
as Roi Gristle (voice)
TVSpeechless
2016
as Martin
MovieBritish Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
2016
as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
TVJohn Bishop: In Conversation with...
2016
as Self
MovieAlbion: The Enchanted Stallion
2016
as General Eeder
TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
as Self
MovieBehind Over the Garden Wall
2015
as Self
MovieA.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
2015
as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
MovieAbsolutely Anything
2015
as Chief Alien (voice)
TVA Life on Screen
2014
as Self
MovieSpud 3: Learning to Fly
2014
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
MovieMonty Python: The Meaning of Live
2014
as Self
TVMonty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
2014
as Self (archive footage)
TVOver the Garden Wall
2014
as Quincy Endicott (voice)
MovieMonty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
as Self, others
MovieMonty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
2014
as Self
MovieThe Last Impresario
2014
as Self
TVLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
as Self - Guest
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
as Self
MovieThe Meaning of Monty Python
2013
as Self
MoviePlanes
2013
as Bulldog (voice)
MovieSpud 2: The Madness Continues
2013
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
TVThe Last Leg
2013
as Self
MovieThe Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
2012
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
MovieGod Loves Caviar
2012
as McCormick
MovieThe Big Year
2011
as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
MovieBeethoven's Christmas Adventure
2011
as Narrator
TVWhitney
2011
as Dr. Grant
TVMini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
2011
as Narrator (voice)
MovieJohn Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2011
MovieThe Undefeated
2011
as Self (archive footage)
MovieWinnie the Pooh
2011
as Narrator (voice)
MovieSpud
2010
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
TVConan
2010
as Self - Guest
MovieShrek Forever After
2010
as King Harold (voice)
MovieMonty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
2010
as Self
MoviePlanet 51
2009
as Professor Kipple (voice)
TVMonty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
2009
as Self
MovieFawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
2009
as Self / Basil Fawlty
MovieFawlty Towers: Re-Opened
2009
as Self / Basil Fawlty
TVTalkin' 'Bout Your Generation
2009
as Self - Contestant
MovieThe Pink Panther 2
2009
as Dreyfus
TVSkavlan
2009
as Self - Guest
MovieThe Day the Earth Stood Still
2008
as Professor Barnhardt
MovieWe Are Most Amused
2008
as Self - Presenter
MovieGaybo Laughs Back
2008
as Self
MovieIgor
2008
as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
MovieMonty Python: Before the Flying Circus
2008
as Self
MovieThe Seventh Python
2008
as Self
TVMarkus Lanz
2008
as Self
MovieMarty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
2008
as Self
Life Of Brian Screenplay
2008
as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
MovieMonty Python Conquers America
2008
as Self
TVMore Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
2007
TVMovie Connections
2007
as Self
MovieShrek the Third
2007
as King Harold (voice)
MovieHitler: The Comedy Years
2007
as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
TVThe Graham Norton Show
2007
as Self - Guest
MovieThe Secret Life of Brian
2007
as Self
MovieWhat the Pythons Did Next...
2007
as Self (archive footage)
MovieAud go'hjerta
2006
as Self (archive footage)
MovieCharlotte's Web
2006
as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
TVLegends
2006
as Self
TVRobins
2006
as Self - Guest
TVThe One Show
2006
as Self - Guest
MovieL'Entente cordiale
2006
as Lord Conrad
MovieMan About Town
2006
as Dr. Primkin
MovieThe Art of Football from A to Z
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
as Various Characters
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
MovieReturn of the Goodies
2005
as Himself
MovieFawlty Towers Revisited
2005
as Himself
MovieThe Roots of Monty Python
2005
as Self (archive footage)
MovieValiant
2005
as Mercury (voice)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
as Self
MovieComplete Guide to Guys
2005
as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
MovieRemember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
2004
as Self
MovieWine for the Confused
2004
as Self
TVEntourage
2004
as John Cleese
MovieAround the World in 80 Days
2004
as Grizzled Sergeant
MovieThe Magic Touch of Harry Potter
2004
as Self
MovieShrek 2
2004
as King Harold (voice)
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
TVCanterbury Tales
2003
as Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThe Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
2003
as Self
MovieGeorge of the Jungle 2
2003
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
MovieCharlie's Angels: Full Throttle
2003
as Mr. Munday
MovieScorched
2003
as Charles Merchant
TVReal Time with Bill Maher
2003
as Self
MovieStupidity
2003
as Self
Best Ever Bond
2002
as Self / R
MovieDie Another Day: From Script to Screen
2002
as Self
MovieDie Another Day
2002
as Q
MovieHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2002
as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
MovieMickey's House of Villains
2002
as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
MovieThe Adventures of Pluto Nash
2002
as James
NDR Kultur – Das Journal
2002
as Self
TVWednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
2002
as Red Lansing
MovieMaking Rat Race
2002
as Himself
MoviePeter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
2002
as Self
TVRichard & Judy
2001
as Self
MovieHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2001
as Nearly Headless Nick
MovieMickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
2001
as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
MovieRat Race
2001
as Donald P. Sinclair
TVThe Human Face
2001
as Presenter
TVDisney's House of Mouse
2001
MovieFawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
2001
as Kendisi
MovieThe Magic Pudding
2000
as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
MovieEdwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
2000
as The Giant Alien (voice)
MovieThe Life of Python
2000
as Self
MovieQuantum Project
2000
as Alexander Pentcho
MovieIsn't She Great
2000
as Henry Marcus
MovieNow Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn
2000
as Self
MovieRockstar
2000
as Interviewer in lounge
MovieThe World Is Not Enough
1999
as R
MovieThe Nutcracker
1999
as Narrator
MovieMonty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
1999
as Self
MovieMonty Python: From Spam to Sperm
1999
as Self
MovieThe Monty Python Story
1999
as Self
MovieMickey’s Mechanical House
1999
as Narrator (voice)
MovieParting Shots
1999
as Maurice Walpole
TVMickey Mouse Works
1999
as Narrator (voice)
MovieThe Out-of-Towners
1999
as Mr. Mersault
TVThe Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
1999
as Self
TVCasper & Mandrilaftalen
1999
as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
TVWill & Grace
1998
as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
MovieIn The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
1998
as Self
MovieMonty Python: Live at Aspen
1998
as Self
TVParkinson
1998
as Self
MovieGeorge of the Jungle
1997
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
MovieFierce Creatures
1997
as Rollo Lee
MovieThe Wind in the Willows
1996
as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
TVE! True Hollywood Story
1996
TVThe Daily Show
1996
as Self
MovieSpike
1996
as Self
TV3rd Rock from the Sun
1996
as Dr. Liam Neesam
TVMADtv
1995
as Self
Look at the State We're In!
1995
as Harold Kingsby
MovieThe Jungle Book
1994
as Dr. Julius Plumford
MovieThe Swan Princess
1994
as Jean-Bob (voice)
MovieMary Shelley's Frankenstein
1994
as Prof. Waldman
TVThe Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
1994
as Self
MovieDid I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1993
MovieSplitting Heirs
1993
as Raoul P. Shadgrind
TVFunny Business
1992
MovieAmnesty International's Big 30
1991
as Self
MovieAn American Tail: Fievel Goes West
1991
as Cat R. Waul (voice)
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
1991
as Narrator (voice)
MovieCreativity in Management
1991
as Self
MovieThe Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
1990
as Self
MovieBullseye!
1990
as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
MovieLife of Python
1990
as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
MovieQuark the Dragon Slayer
1989
MovieParrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
1989
as Self / Various Characters
MovieThe Big Picture
1989
as Bartender
MovieErik the Viking
1989
as Halfdan the Black
MovieThe Movie Life of George
1989
as Self
MovieThe Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
1989
as Self
MovieBosses From Hell
1989
as Brian
MovieCustomers From Hell
1989
as Brian
MovieCommunicators From Hell
1989
as Brian
MovieEmployees From Hell
1989
as Brian
MovieCustomer Service From Hell
1989
MovieTeams from Hell
1989
MovieSales People from Hell
1989
MovieColleagues From Hell
1989
MovieInterviewers From Hell
1989
TVThis Morning
1988
as Self
MovieA Fish Called Wanda
1988
as Archie Leach
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
1988
as Self
Dragonslayer Quark
1987
Baby Quark
1987
Quark and the Highway Robber
1987
MovieThe Grand Knockout Tournament
1987
as Self
MovieThe Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
1987
as Jim Cleese
MovieClockwise
1986
as Brian Stimpson
MovieSilverado
1985
as Sheriff John T. Langston
MovieGonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
1985
as Self
MovieYellowbeard
1983
as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
MovieGroup Madness
1983
as Self
MovieMonty Python's The Meaning of Life
1983
as Various Roles
MoviePrivates on Parade
1983
as Major Giles Flack
TVCheers
1982
as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
MovieMonty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
as Various Roles
TVWogan
1982
as Self
TVWhoops Apocalypse
1982
as Lacrobat
MovieThe Secret Policeman's Other Ball
1982
as Self - Various Roles
MovieTime Bandits
1981
as Robin Hood
MovieThe Great Muppet Caper
1981
as Neville
TVWetten, dass..?
1981
as Self
The Tom Machine
1980
as Computer (voice)
MoviePeter Cook & Co.
1980
as Himself / Various Characters
MovieThe Queen Special
1980
as Man in Bar
MovieThe Taming of the Shrew
1980
as Petruchio
MovieThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1979
as Himself - Various Roles
MovieDoctor Who: City of Death
1979
as Art Gallery Visitor
MovieGolden Gordon
1979
as Passerby
TVNot the Nine O'Clock News
1979
TVFriday Night, Saturday Morning
1979
MovieLife of Brian
1979
as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
MovieThe Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
1979
as Self
Movie...To Norway, Home of Giants!
1979
as Norman Fearless
MovieAway from It All
1979
as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
TVAn Audience with...
1978
as Self
MovieThe Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
1977
as Sherlock Holmes
MovieThe Mermaid Frolics
1977
as Self- Various roles
TVThree Piece Suite
1977
as Kevin
MovieThree Piece Suite
1977
as Kevin
MoviePleasure at Her Majesty's
1976
as Self
TVThe Muppet Show
1976
as Self - Special Guest Star
TVThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1976
as Self
TVRipping Yarns
1976
MovieMeetings, Bloody Meetings
1976
How Not to Exhibit Yourself
1975
as John Cleese
MovieMore Awkward Customers
1975
as Brian
MovieAwkward Customers
1975
as Brian
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited)
TVFawlty Towers
1975
as Basil Fawlty
MovieMonty 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
TVLes Rendez-vous du dimanche
1975
as Self
MovieMonty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
1974
as Self
MovieRomance with a Double Bass
1974
as Smychkov
MovieThe Goodies and the Beanstalk
1973
as The Genie
MovieIs This a Record?
1973
as Various
MovieElementary, My Dear Watson
1973
as Sherlock Holmes
MovieMonty Python In The Netherlands
1973
MovieThe Love Ban
1973
as Contraceptives Lecturer
MovieThe Philosophers' Football Match
1972
as Archimedes
TVMonty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
1972
as Various Characters
MovieWho Sold You This, Then?
1972
MovieThe Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
Film '72
1971
as Self
MovieAnd 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
MovieEuroshow '71: May Day Special
1971
as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
MovieThe Statue
1971
as Harry
MovieThe Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
1970
as Pumer
MovieMonty Python: Who's There?
1970
as Timothy
MovieThe Magic Christian
1969
as Director in Sotheby's
TVMonty Python's Flying Circus
1969
as Various / Announcer
MovieThe Best House in London
1969
as Jones (uncredited)
TVSez Les
1969
MovieHow to Irritate People
1969
as Himself - Various
MovieThe Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
1968
as Post Office Clerk
MovieInterlude
1968
as Television public relations man
Titel, Thesen, Temperamente
1967
as Self (archive footage)
TVOmnibus
1967
as Self
Misleading Cases
1967
as Mr. Partridge
TVAt Last the 1948 Show
1967
The Frost Report
1966
TVDoctor Who
1963
as Art Gallery Visitor
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Avengers
1961
as Marcus Rugman
MovieHow to Make Her Cheat
as Terry
Taking The Wheel
as Nathan
The Splendid Thing
Cancel Me
as Self - Host / Presenter
