John Cleese
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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
Known for
Credits
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
as Nearly Headless Nick
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Shrek the Third (2007)
as King Harold (voice)
Shrek 2 (2004)
as King Harold (voice)
Shrek Forever After (2010)
as King Harold (voice)
Trolls (2016)
as Roi Gristle (voice)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
as Professor Barnhardt
Die Another Day (2002)
as Q
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
as R
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
as Narrator (voice)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)
as Bridwell
Monty 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
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
as Mr. Munday
Life of Brian (1979)
as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
Charming (2018)
as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Igor (2008)
as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
as Grizzled Sergeant
The Swan Princess (1994)
as Jean-Bob (voice)
George of the Jungle (1997)
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Planes (2013)
as Bulldog (voice)
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
as Archie Leach
Charlotte's Web (2006)
as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
as Various Roles
Silverado (1985)
as Sheriff John T. Langston
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
as Cat R. Waul (voice)
The Big Year (2011)
as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Arctic Dogs (2019)
as Otto von Walrus (voice)
Rat Race (2001)
as Donald P. Sinclair
Planet 51 (2009)
as Professor Kipple (voice)
The Nutcracker (1999)
as Narrator
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer (2018)
as Donner (voice)
Time Bandits (1981)
as Robin Hood
Valiant (2005)
as Mercury (voice)
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)
as Prof. Waldman
Erik the Viking (1989)
as Halfdan the Black
Scorched (2003)
as Charles Merchant
The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
as Dreyfus
Mickey's House of Villains (2002)
as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
The Jungle Book (1994)
as Dr. Julius Plumford
Absolutely Anything (2015)
as Chief Alien (voice)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
as James
George of the Jungle 2 (2003)
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)
as Narrator
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
as Neville
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)
as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
Rally Road Racers (2023)
as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
Isn't She Great (2000)
as Henry Marcus
Spud (2010)
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
And 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
The Magic Christian (1969)
as Director in Sotheby's
The Big Picture (1989)
as Bartender
Father Christmas Is Back (2021)
as John Christmas
The Out-of-Towners (1999)
as Mr. Mersault
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff (1985)
as Self
Splitting Heirs (1993)
as Raoul P. Shadgrind
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005)
as Self
The Last Impresario (2014)
as Self
Fierce Creatures (1997)
as Rollo Lee
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown (2015)
as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
Why Are We Creative? (2018)
as Self
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020)
as John
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion (2016)
as General Eeder
Yellowbeard (1983)
as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
as Various Roles
Man About Town (2006)
as Dr. Primkin
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar (2014)
as Self
Daddy Daughter Trip (2022)
as Frank
The Palace (2023)
as Arthur William Dallas III
The Secret Life of Brian (2007)
as Self
Sales People from Hell (1989)
Actor
How to Make Her Cheat (—)
as Terry
How to Irritate People (1969)
as Himself - Various
The Wind in the Willows (1996)
as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
Bosses From Hell (1989)
as Brian
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Clockwise (1986)
as Brian Stimpson
Interviewers From Hell (1989)
Actor
Fawlty Towers: The Play (2025)
as Self
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers (2025)
Actor
Customer Service From Hell (1989)
Actor
God Loves Caviar (2012)
as McCormick
The Making of Shrek 2 (—)
as Self
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Anatomy of a Liar (2012)
as Self
The Meaning of Monty Python (2013)
as Self
Spud 3: Learning to Fly (2014)
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Dragonslayer Quark (1987)
Actor
Euroshow '71: May Day Special (1971)
as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
Who Sold You This, Then? (1972)
Actor
Teams from Hell (1989)
Actor
Rockstar (2000)
as Interviewer in lounge
The Magic Pudding (2000)
as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
Bullseye! (1990)
as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
Best Ever Bond (2002)
as Self / R
L'Entente cordiale (2006)
as Lord Conrad
Peter Cook & Co. (1980)
as Himself / Various Characters
Concert for George (2003)
as Self
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977)
as Sherlock Holmes
John Cleese Packs It In (2025)
Actor
The Goodies and the Beanstalk (1973)
as The Genie
The Life of Python (2000)
as Self
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)
as Self
Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014)
as Self, others
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012)
as Various (voice)
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation (2008)
as Self
The Splendid Thing (—)
Actor
Spud 2: The Madness Continues (2013)
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 (1979)
as Self
Wine for the Confused (2004)
as Self
Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom (2022)
as Self (archive footage)
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness (2020)
as Self
The Art of Football from A to Z (2006)
as Self
The Philosophers' Football Match (1972)
as Archimedes
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves (2016)
as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Doctor Who: City of Death (1979)
as Art Gallery Visitor
The Mermaid Frolics (1977)
as Self- Various roles
Monty Python Conquers America (2008)
as Self
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? (2004)
as Self
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe (2002)
as Self
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release (2010)
as Self
Romance with a Double Bass (1974)
as Smychkov
Fawlty Towers Revisited (2005)
as Himself
The Queen Special (1980)
as Man in Bar
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968)
as Post Office Clerk
Colleagues From Hell (1989)
Actor
An Accidental Studio (2019)
as Self (archive footage)
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982)
as Self - Various Roles
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live (2014)
as Self
More Awkward Customers (1975)
as Brian
Employees From Hell (1989)
as Brian
The Best House in London (1969)
as Jones (uncredited)
Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” (1978)
as Self
The Grand Knockout Tournament (1987)
as Self
Monty Python: Live at Aspen (1998)
as Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
Making Rat Race (2002)
as Himself
Parting Shots (1999)
as Maurice Walpole
The Undefeated (2011)
as Self (archive footage)
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp (2020)
as Self
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen (2018)
Actor
Amnesty International's Big 30 (1991)
as Self
The Movie Life of George (1989)
as Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
The Roots of Monty Python (2005)
as Self (archive footage)
30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation (1999)
as Self
We Are Most Amused (2008)
as Self - Presenter
Meetings, Bloody Meetings (1976)
Actor
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus (2008)
as Self
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated (2021)
as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live (2011)
Actor
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb (1991)
as Narrator (voice)
The Taming of the Shrew (1980)
as Petruchio
Life Of Brian Screenplay (2008)
as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
The Naked Wanderer (2019)
as Brian King
Is This a Record? (1973)
as Various
Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007)
as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970)
as Pumer
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen (2002)
as Self
Away from It All (1979)
as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Roles (archive footage)
Behind Over the Garden Wall (2015)
as Self
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big (2000)
as The Giant Alien (voice)
The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979)
as Himself - Various Roles
Life of Python (1990)
as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
Customers From Hell (1989)
as Brian
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened (2009)
as Self / Basil Fawlty
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits (2009)
as Self / Basil Fawlty
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball (1989)
as Self
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report (1974)
as Self
The Roast of John Cleese (2024)
as Self
The Statue (1971)
as Harry
Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)
as Self
What the Pythons Did Next... (2007)
as Self (archive footage)
The Martini Shot (2023)
as Dr. Auyeung
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python (1989)
as Self / Various Characters
Complete Guide to Guys (2005)
as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 (1971)
Actor
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python In The Netherlands (1973)
as Narrator / Pie Face 2
Monty Python: Who's There? (1970)
as Timothy
The Monty Python Story (1999)
as Self
...To Norway, Home of Giants! (1979)
as Norman Fearless
Creativity in Management (1991)
as Self
Interlude (1968)
as Television public relations man
Assholes: A Theory (2019)
as Himself
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches (1999)
as Self
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius (2021)
as Interviewee
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball (1987)
as Jim Cleese
Awkward Customers (1975)
as Brian
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' (2003)
as Self
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter (2004)
as Self
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker (2012)
as Self
Mickey’s Mechanical House (1999)
as Narrator (voice)
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm (1999)
as Self
Return of the Goodies (2005)
as Himself
Quark the Dragon Slayer (1989)
Actor
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006)
as Various Characters
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails (2019)
as Self (archive footage)
Golden Gordon (1979)
as Passerby
Why Are We (Not) Creative? (2021)
as Self
Elementary, My Dear Watson (1973)
as Sherlock Holmes
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs (2023)
as Self
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? (1993)
Actor
Privates on Parade (1983)
as Major Giles Flack
The Love Ban (1973)
as Contraceptives Lecturer
The Seventh Python (2008)
as Self
Gaybo Laughs Back (2008)
as Self
Group Madness (1983)
as Self
Aud go'hjerta (2006)
as Self (archive footage)
The Tom Machine (1980)
as Computer (voice)
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn (2000)
as Self
Spike (1996)
as Self
Stupidity (2003)
as Self
Quark and the Highway Robber (1987)
Actor
Communicators From Hell (1989)
as Brian
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese (1998)
as Self
How Not to Exhibit Yourself (1975)
as John Cleese
Three Piece Suite (1977)
as Kevin
Quantum Project (2000)
as Alexander Pentcho
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese (2001)
as Kendisi
Baby Quark (1987)
Actor
Taking The Wheel (—)
as Nathan