Michael Palin
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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.
Known for
Credits
Monty 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!
The Magic Faraway Tree (2026)
as Know All
The Witches (1990)
as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
Life 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
Arthur Christmas (2011)
as Ernie Clicker (voice)
The Death of Stalin (2017)
as Vyacheslav Molotov
Brazil (1985)
as Jack Lint
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
as Ken Pile
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
as Various Roles
Absolutely Anything (2015)
as Kindly Alien (voice)
Jabberwocky (1977)
as Dennis Cooper
Time Bandits (1981)
as Vincent
Just Dandy (—)
as Self
Joke (2026)
Actor
And 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
David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth (2026)
as Self
50 Films to See Before You Die (2006)
as Self
Fierce Creatures (1997)
as Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
Attenborough at 90 (2016)
as Self
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
as Various Roles
Roger of the Raj (1979)
as Roger
Jeepers Creepers (2020)
as Newscaster (voice)
Secrets of the Bayeux Tapestry: Inside the Museum (2026)
as Narrator
The Secret Life of Brian (2007)
as Self
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar (2014)
as Self
Innes Lloyd: The Producer (2025)
as Self
The Wind in the Willows (1995)
as Rat (voice)
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Anatomy of a Liar (2012)
as Self
Euroshow '71: May Day Special (1971)
as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
The Wind in the Willows (1996)
as The Sun
How to Irritate People (1969)
as Various
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
The Missionary (1982)
as The Reverend Charles Fortescue
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (2010)
as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
My National Gallery, London (2024)
as Self
Concert for George (2003)
as Self
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python in Aberystwyth (2009)
as Self
Murder at Moorstones Manor (1977)
as Charles Chiddingford
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? (2004)
as Self
Meridian: The First Ten Minutes (1993)
as Self
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)
as Eric Manchester
Life Of Brian Screenplay (2008)
as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
The Meaning of Monty Python (2013)
as Self
An Accidental Studio (2019)
as Self
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988)
as Self
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation (2008)
as Self
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012)
as Various (voice)
Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” (1978)
as Commentator / Self
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 (1979)
as Self
A Private Function (1984)
as Gilbert Chilvers
Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014)
as Self, others
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi (2005)
as Host
The Philosophers' Football Match (1972)
as Nietzsche
The Unknown Peter Sellers (2000)
as Self
Produced by George Martin (2012)
as Self
The Fringe, Fame and Me (2022)
as Self
The Willows in Winter (1996)
as Rat
Monty Python Conquers America (2008)
as Self
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982)
as Self - Various Roles
New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days (2014)
as Self
The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983)
as Workman
Monty Python: Live at Aspen (1998)
as Self
The Wipers Times (2013)
as General Mitford
The Secret Policeman's Ball (2012)
as Self
Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute (2002)
as Self
30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation (1999)
as Self
Tomkinson's Schooldays (1976)
as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report (1974)
as Self
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World (2013)
as Self
Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007)
as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
Life of Python (1990)
as Self / Various Roles
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' (2004)
as Self
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind (2007)
as Gariiiiiii (voice)
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus (2008)
as Self
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release (2010)
as Self
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live (2014)
as Self
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python (1989)
as Self / Various Characters
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen (2018)
Actor
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened (2009)
as Self
The Roots of Monty Python (2005)
as Self (archive footage)
The Movie Life of George (1989)
as Self
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs (2023)
as Self
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations (2001)
as Self
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration (2024)
as Self
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule (2014)
as Self
Is This a Record? (1973)
as Various
The Grand Knockout Tournament (1987)
as Self
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia (2015)
as Self
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns (2014)
as Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
Generation '66 (2016)
Actor
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails (2019)
as Self (archive footage)
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball (1989)
as Self
Around the World in 20 Years (2008)
as Self
Comedians Do It On Stage (1986)
as Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
Whinfrey's Last Case (1979)
as Gerald Whinfrey
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy (2014)
as Self
Monty Python: Who's There? (1970)
as Ken
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated (2021)
as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 (1971)
Actor
When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain (2025)
as Self
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B (1977)
as Major Errol Phipps
What the Pythons Did Next... (2007)
as Self (archive footage)
John Peel's Record Box (2005)
as Self
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television (2002)
as Self - Presenter
Comic Roots: Michael Palin (1983)
as Self / Jealous Reporter
The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979)
as Various Roles
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
The Monty Python Story (1999)
as Self
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966)
as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)
as Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
The Academy of Armando (2025)
as Self
Monty Python In The Netherlands (1973)
as Pie Face 3
American Friends (1991)
as Rev. Francis Ashby
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' (2003)
as Self
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm (1999)
as Self
Three Men in a Boat (1975)
as Harris
Palin on Redpath (1997)
as Self - Presenter
The Box (1981)
as (voice)
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy (2020)
as Self
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite (1977)
as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best (2006)
as Fish-Slapping Guide / Various Roles (archive footage)
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation (2020)
as Self
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall (2010)
Actor
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' (2008)
as Self
Across the Andes by Frog (1977)
as Captain Walter Snetterton
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' (2008)
as Self
The Mystery of the Missing Morsel of Murder at Moorstones Manor (—)
as Charles Chiddingfold
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything (2014)
Actor
Golden Gordon (1979)
as Gordon Ottershaw
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace (2014)
as Self
Frost on Sketch Shows (2013)
as Self
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One (2008)
as Presenter
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch (—)
as salesman
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches (1999)
as Self
The Curse of the Claw (1977)
as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
The Dress (1984)
as Howard
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act (1993)
as Various
The Seventh Python (2008)
as Self
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes (2019)
as Self
Viz: The Documentary (1990)
as Self
Henry Cleans Up (1974)
as Henry
The Broken Bottle (1977)
Actor
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk (1991)
as Narrator (voice)
What Is Brazil? (2008)
as Self
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse (2003)
as Self - Presenter
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema (2011)
as Self
Making Qi (2011)
as Self
The First Night of Meridian (1993)
as Self - Host
Ending It All (1970)
Actor
The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin (1989)
as Self
Monty Python: Pythonland (1999)
Actor