Personal Info
Known ForActing
Born1939-10-27
BirthplaceWeston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
John Cleese
Acting
Biography
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
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring John Cleese
Shrek 2
2004
The Croods
2013
Filmography
Acting (224)
2025
Fawlty Towers: The Playas Self
7.3
2024
The Roast of John Cleeseas Self
3.7
2023
The Palaceas Arthur William Dallas III
5.4
2023
The Martini Shotas Dr. Auyeung
6.5
2023
Rally Road Racersas Archie Vainglorious (voice)
6.4
2023
9.0
2022
Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedomas Self (archive footage)
7.1
2022
Daddy Daughter Tripas Frank
6.9
2021
Clifford the Big Red Dogas Bridwell
7.1
2021
Father Christmas Is Backas John Christmas
4.6
2021
Why Are We (Not) Creative?as Self
6.0
2021
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Geniusas Interviewee
2021
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebratedas Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2020
4.7
2020
6.8
2020
6.0
2019
Assholes: A Theoryas Himself
4.0
2019
Arctic Dogsas Otto von Walrus (voice)
6.0
2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grailsas Self (archive footage)
9.0
2019
The Naked Wandereras Brian King
4.8
2019
An Accidental Studioas Self (archive footage)
6.4
2018
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeeras Donner (voice)
5.7
2018
Why Are We Creative?as Self
7.5
2018
Charmingas Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
6.4
2016
Trollsas Roi Gristle (voice)
6.6
2016
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselvesas Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
5.7
2016
Albion: The Enchanted Stallionas General Eeder
5.7
2015
Behind Over the Garden Wallas Self
8.5
2015
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdownas Mr. Bellwood (voice)
4.7
2015
Absolutely Anythingas Chief Alien (voice)
5.9
2014
Spud 3: Learning to Flyas Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
6.0
2014
7.4
2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly)as Self, others
7.1
6.0
2014
The Last Impresarioas Self
5.5
2013
The Meaning of Monty Pythonas Self
7.4
2013
Planesas Bulldog (voice)
5.9
2013
Spud 2: The Madness Continuesas Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
6.9
2012
8.0
2012
5.9
2012
Anatomy of a Liaras Self
6.3
2012
God Loves Caviaras McCormick
5.4
2011
The Big Yearas Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
6.0
2011
Beethoven's Christmas Adventureas Narrator
6.0
2011
The Undefeatedas Self (archive footage)
2.7
2011
Winnie the Poohas Narrator (voice)
6.9
2010
Spudas Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
7.0
2010
Shrek Forever Afteras King Harold (voice)
6.4
2009
Planet 51as Professor Kipple (voice)
5.9
2009
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bitsas Self / Basil Fawlty
2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Openedas Self / Basil Fawlty
8.4
2009
The Pink Panther 2as Dreyfus
5.7
2008
The Day the Earth Stood Stillas Professor Barnhardt
5.7
2008
We Are Most Amusedas Self - Presenter
7.2
2008
Gaybo Laughs Backas Self
2008
Igoras Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
6.1
2008
7.7
2008
The Seventh Pythonas Self
2008
7.8
2008
Life Of Brian Screenplayas Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
2008
6.3
2007
Shrek the Thirdas King Harold (voice)
6.3
2007
Hitler: The Comedy Yearsas Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
5.0
2007
The Secret Life of Brianas Self
7.7
2007
What the Pythons Did Next...as Self (archive footage)
2006
Aud go'hjertaas Self (archive footage)
2006
Charlotte's Webas Samuel the Sheep (voice)
6.2
2006
L'Entente cordialeas Lord Conrad
4.8
2006
Man About Townas Dr. Primkin
5.2
2006
4.8
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Bestas Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Bestas Various Roles (archive footage)
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Bestas Various Characters
7.0
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Bestas Various Characters
10.0
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Bestas Various Characters
8.0
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Bestas Various Characters
2005
Return of the Goodiesas Himself
6.9
2005
Fawlty Towers Revisitedas Himself
7.5
2005
The Roots of Monty Pythonas Self (archive footage)
2005
Valiantas Mercury (voice)
5.7
2005
6.5
2005
Complete Guide to Guysas Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
5.4
2004
4.8
2004
Wine for the Confusedas Self
8.8
2004
Around the World in 80 Daysas Grizzled Sergeant
6.0
2004
7.6
2004
Shrek 2as King Harold (voice)
7.3
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1as Self (archive footage)
9.0
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2as Self (archive footage)
9.0
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3as Self (archive footage)
2003
Concert for Georgeas Self
8.1
2003
8.0
2003
George of the Jungle 2as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
4.5
2003
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttleas Mr. Munday
5.5
2003
Scorchedas Charles Merchant
5.5
2003
Stupidityas Self
5.4
2002
Best Ever Bondas Self / R
5.7
2002
6.5
2002
Die Another Dayas Q
6.0
2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsas Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
7.7
2002
Mickey's House of Villainsas Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
7.3
2002
The Adventures of Pluto Nashas James
4.4
2002
Making Rat Raceas Himself
2001
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stoneas Nearly Headless Nick
7.9
2001
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouseas Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
7.0
2001
Rat Raceas Donald P. Sinclair
6.3
2001
2000
The Magic Puddingas Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
5.2
2000
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Bigas The Giant Alien (voice)
2000
The Life of Pythonas Self
2000
Quantum Projectas Alexander Pentcho
10.0
2000
Isn't She Greatas Henry Marcus
4.9
2000
Rockstaras Interviewer in lounge
5.3
1999
6.3
1999
The Nutcrackeras Narrator
6.1
1999
The Monty Python Storyas Self
1999
1999
1999
1999
Mickey’s Mechanical Houseas Narrator (voice)
1999
Parting Shotsas Maurice Walpole
5.5
1999
The Out-of-Townersas Mr. Mersault
5.8
1998
Monty Python: Live at Aspenas Self
7.1
1997
George of the Jungleas An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
5.7
1997
Fierce Creaturesas Rollo Lee
6.2
1996
The Wind in the Willowsas Mr. Toad's Lawyer
5.8
1996
Spikeas Self
10.0
1994
The Jungle Bookas Dr. Julius Plumford
6.0
1994
The Swan Princessas Jean-Bob (voice)
6.6
1994
Mary Shelley's Frankensteinas Prof. Waldman
6.4
1993
Splitting Heirsas Raoul P. Shadgrind
5.2
1991
4.0
1991
An American Tail: Fievel Goes Westas Cat R. Waul (voice)
6.3
1991
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumbas Narrator (voice)
1991
Creativity in Managementas Self
1990
6.8
1990
Bullseye!as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
5.1
1990
Life of Pythonas Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
6.3
1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Pythonas Self / Various Characters
7.2
1989
The Big Pictureas Bartender
5.9
1989
Erik the Vikingas Halfdan the Black
5.9
1989
The Movie Life of Georgeas Self
1989
7.7
1989
Bosses From Hellas Brian
1989
Customers From Hellas Brian
1989
Communicators From Hellas Brian
1989
Employees From Hellas Brian
1989
1988
A Fish Called Wandaas Archie Leach
7.2
7.0
1987
10.0
10.0
1987
6.8
1987
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ballas Jim Cleese
7.5
1986
Clockwiseas Brian Stimpson
6.2
1985
Silveradoas Sheriff John T. Langston
6.9
1985
8.5
1983
Yellowbeardas Harvey 'Blind' Pew
5.6
1983
Group Madnessas Self
9.0
1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of Lifeas Various Roles
7.3
1983
Privates on Paradeas Major Giles Flack
4.9
1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowlas Various Roles
7.4
1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ballas Self - Various Roles
6.3
1981
Time Banditsas Robin Hood
6.6
1981
The Great Muppet Caperas Neville
6.9
1980
The Tom Machineas Computer (voice)
1980
Peter Cook & Co.as Himself / Various Characters
7.8
1980
The Queen Specialas Man in Bar
1980
The Taming of the Shrewas Petruchio
8.0
1979
The Secret Policeman's Ballas Himself - Various Roles
6.4
1979
Doctor Who: City of Deathas Art Gallery Visitor
9.0
1979
Golden Gordonas Passerby
8.0
1979
Life of Brianas Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
7.8
7.3
1979
...To Norway, Home of Giants!as Norman Fearless
8.5
1979
Away from It Allas Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
6.6
1978
1977
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know Itas Sherlock Holmes
6.3
1977
The Mermaid Frolicsas Self- Various roles
5.3
1977
Three Piece Suiteas Kevin
6.0
1976
Pleasure at Her Majesty'sas Self
7.0
6.5
1975
How Not to Exhibit Yourselfas John Cleese
8.0
1975
More Awkward Customersas Brian
9.0
1975
Awkward Customersas Brian
9.0
1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grailas Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
7.8
8.0
1974
Romance with a Double Bassas Smychkov
6.1
1973
The Goodies and the Beanstalkas The Genie
1973
Is This a Record?as Various
6.0
1973
Elementary, My Dear Watsonas Sherlock Holmes
7.0
1973
Monty Python In The Netherlandsas Narrator / Pie Face 2
6.0
1973
The Love Banas Contraceptives Lecturer
3.6
1972
The Philosophers' Football Matchas Archimedes
10.0
6.5
1971
And Now for Something Completely Differentas 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
7.2
1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Specialas Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
10.0
1971
The Statueas Harry
4.8
1970
6.0
1970
Monty Python: Who's There?as Timothy
6.0
1969
The Magic Christianas Director in Sotheby's
5.8
1969
The Best House in Londonas Jones (uncredited)
4.0
1969
How to Irritate Peopleas Himself - Various
6.6
1968
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossomas Post Office Clerk
6.8
1968
Interludeas Television public relations man
5.5
—
How to Make Her Cheatas Terry
—
Taking The Wheelas Nathan
9.0
—
The Making of Shrek 2as Self
Production & Directing (41)
2025
John Cleese Packs It InWriter
2025
Fawlty Towers: The PlayWriter
7.3
2020
The Croods: A New AgeThanks
7.4
2020
The Croods: A New AgeCharacters
7.4
2014
7.1
2013
The CroodsStory
6.9
2008
Life Of Brian ScreenplayScreenplay
2006
The Art of Football from A to ZExecutive Producer
4.8
2001
Zum letzten KliffOriginal Story
2001
Zum letzten KliffCreative Consultant
1997
Fierce CreaturesScreenplay
6.2
1997
Fierce CreaturesProducer
6.2
1988
A Fish Called WandaExecutive Producer
7.2
1988
A Fish Called WandaStory
7.2
1988
A Fish Called WandaScreenplay
7.2
1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of LifeScreenplay
7.3
1982
7.4
1982
6.3
1982
The Secret Policeman's Other BallAssistant Director
6.3
1979
The Secret Policeman's BallProducer
6.4
1979
The Secret Policeman's BallStage Director
6.4
1979
Life of BrianScreenplay
7.8
1979
Away from It AllDirector
6.6
1979
Away from It AllWriter
6.6
1978
SnavelyCreator
6.3
1977
The Mermaid FrolicsWriter
5.3
1975
More Awkward CustomersWriter
9.0
1975
Awkward CustomersWriter
9.0
1975
7.8
1974
Romance with a Double BassAdaptation
6.1
1973
Is This a Record?Additional Writing
6.0
1972
RentadickWriter
4.2
1972
Who Sold You This, Then?Script
6.5
1971
1971
7.2
1970
6.0
1969
The Magic ChristianAdditional Writing
5.8
1969
How to Irritate PeopleWriter
6.6