John Cleese
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
- 2023 · The Palace as Arthur William Dallas III
- 2023 · Rally Road Racers as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
- 2022 · Daddy Daughter Trip as Frank
- 2021 · Clifford the Big Red Dog as Mr. Bridwell
- 2021 · Father Christmas Is Back as John Christmas
- 2021 · LOL: Last One Laughing as Self
- 2020 · The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee as John
- 2019 · Arctic Dogs as Otto von Walrus (voice)
- 2019 · The Naked Wanderer as Brian King
- 2019 · An Accidental Studio as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer as Donner (voice)
- 2018 · Charming as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
- 2018 · Hold the Sunset as Phil
- 2016 · Trolls as Roi Gristle (voice)
- 2016 · Speechless as Martin
- 2016 · John Bishop: In Conversation with... as Self
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- 2015 · A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
- 2015 · Absolutely Anything as Chief Alien (voice)
- 2014 · A Life on Screen as Self
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Quincy Endicott (voice)
- 2014 · Over the Garden Wall as Adelaide (voice)
- 2014 · Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
- 2013 · Planes as Bulldog (voice)
- 2013 · The Last Leg as Self
- 2012 · God Loves Caviar as McCormick
- 2011 · The Big Year as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · Beethoven's Christmas Adventure as Narrator
- 2011 · Whitney as Dr. Grant
- 2011 · Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · Winnie the Pooh as Narrator (voice)
- 2010 · Spud as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2010 · Shrek Forever After as King Harold (voice)
- 2009 · Planet 51 as Professor Kipple (voice)
- 2009 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) as Self
- 2009 · Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation as Self - Contestant
- 2009 · The Pink Panther 2 as Dreyfus
- 2009 · Skavlan as Self - Guest
- 2008 · The Day the Earth Stood Still as Professor Barnhardt
- 2008 · Igor as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
- 2008 · Markus Lanz as Self
- 2007 · Movie Connections as Self
- 2007 · Shrek the Third as King Harold (voice)
- 2007 · The Graham Norton Show as Self - Guest
- 2007 · The Graham Norton Show as Self
- 2006 · Charlotte's Web as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
- 2006 · Legends as Self
- 2006 · Robins as Self - Guest
- 2006 · The One Show as Self - Guest
- 2006 · Man About Town as Dr. Primkin
- 2006 · Monty Python's Personal Best as Self / Various Characters
- 2005 · Valiant as Mercury (voice)
- 2004 · Entourage as John Cleese
- 2004 · Around the World in 80 Days as Grizzled Sergeant
- 2004 · The Magic Touch of Harry Potter as Self
- 2004 · Shrek 2 as King Harold (voice)
- 2003 · Concert for George as Self
- 2003 · George of the Jungle 2 as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- 2003 · Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle as Mr. Munday
- 2003 · Scorched as Charles Merchant
- 2003 · Real Time with Bill Maher as Self
- 2002 · Die Another Day as Q
- 2002 · Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
- 2002 · Mickey's House of Villains as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
- 2002 · The Adventures of Pluto Nash as James
- 2002 · NDR Kultur – Das Journal as Self
- 2002 · Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) as Red Lansing
- 2001 · Richard & Judy as Self
- 2001 · Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as Nearly Headless Nick
- 2001 · Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
- 2001 · Rat Race as Donald P. Sinclair
- 2001 · The Human Face as Presenter
- 2001 · Disney's House of Mouse as
- 2001 · Disney's House of Mouse as Narrator (voice)
- 1999 · The World Is Not Enough as R
- 1999 · The Nutcracker as Narrator
- 1999 · Parting Shots as Maurice Walpole
- 1999 · Mickey Mouse Works as Narrator (voice)
- 1999 · The Out-of-Towners as Mr. Mersault
- 1999 · The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
- 1999 · Casper & Mandrilaftalen as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
- 1998 · Will & Grace as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
- 1998 · Parkinson as Self
- 1997 · George of the Jungle as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
- 1997 · Fierce Creatures as Rollo Lee
- 1996 · The Wind in the Willows as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
- 1996 · E! True Hollywood Story as
- 1996 · The Daily Show as Self
- 1996 · 3rd Rock from the Sun as Dr. Liam Neesam
- 1995 · MADtv as Self
- 1995 · Look at the State We're In! as Harold Kingsby
- 1995 · Look at the State We're In! as Politician
- 1994 · The Jungle Book as Dr. Julius Plumford
- 1994 · The Swan Princess as Jean-Bob (voice)
- 1994 · Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as Prof. Waldman
- 1994 · The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller as Self
- 1993 · Splitting Heirs as Raoul P. Shadgrind
- 1992 · Funny Business as
- 1991 · An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as Cat R. Waul (voice)
- 1990 · The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson as Self
- 1990 · Bullseye! as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
- 1989 · The Big Picture as Bartender
- 1989 · Erik the Viking as Halfdan the Black
- 1988 · This Morning as Self
- 1988 · A Fish Called Wanda as Archie Leach
- 1987 · Baby Quark as
- 1986 · Clockwise as Brian Stimpson
- 1985 · Silverado as Sheriff John T. Langston
- 1983 · Yellowbeard as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
- 1983 · Monty Python's The Meaning of Life as Various Roles
- 1982 · Cheers as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
- 1982 · Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles
- 1982 · Wogan as Self
- 1982 · Whoops Apocalypse as Lacrobat
- 1981 · Time Bandits as Robin Hood
- 1981 · The Great Muppet Caper as Neville
- 1981 · Wetten, dass..? as Self
- 1980 · Peter Cook & Co. as Himself / Various Characters
- 1979 · Not the Nine O'Clock News as
- 1979 · Life of Brian as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
- 1978 · An Audience with... as Self
- 1976 · The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
- 1976 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- 1976 · Ripping Yarns as
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- 1975 · Fawlty Towers as Basil Fawlty
- 1975 · Monty Python and the Holy Grail as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
- 1975 · Les Rendez-vous du dimanche as Self
- 1973 · Elementary, My Dear Watson as Sherlock Holmes
- 1972 · Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters
- 1971 · And Now for Something Completely Different 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
- 1971 · The Statue as Harry
- 1969 · The Magic Christian as Director in Sotheby's
- 1969 · Monty Python's Flying Circus as Various / Announcer
- 1969 · Sez Les as
- 1969 · Sez Les as self
- 1968 · Interlude as Television public relations man
- 1967 · Omnibus as Self
- 1967 · Misleading Cases as Mr. Partridge
- 1967 · At Last the 1948 Show as
- 1966 · The Frost Report as
- 1963 · Doctor Who as Art Gallery Visitor
- 1962 · The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
- 1961 · The Avengers as Marcus Rugman
- Future · Untitled Fawlty Towers Reboot as Basil Fawlty
- 2023 · The Dinosaur Hour as Self
- 2020 · Why there is no hope as Actor
- 2020 · Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp as Self
- 2020 · Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness as Self
- 2018 · Why Are We Creative? as Self
- 2016 · British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2016 · Albion: The Enchanted Stallion as General Eeder
- 2014 · Spud 3: Learning to Fly as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2014 · Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self
- 2014 · Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others
- 2013 · Spud 2: The Madness Continues as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2012 · A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman as Various (voice)
- 2011 · The Undefeated as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2008 · We Are Most Amused as Self - Presenter
- 2008 · Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self
- 2007 · More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy as
- 2007 · Hitler: The Comedy Years as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2007 · The Secret Life of Brian as Self
- 2006 · L'Entente cordiale as Lord Conrad
- 2002 · Best Ever Bond as Self / R
- 2002 · Die Another Day: From Script to Screen as Self
- 2002 · Making Rat Race as Himself
- 2000 · The Magic Pudding as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
- 2000 · Isn't She Great as Henry Marcus
- 2000 · Rockstar as Interviewer in lounge
- 1990 · Life of Python as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
- 1989 · Customers From Hell as Brian
- 1983 · Privates on Parade as Major Giles Flack
- 1975 · More Awkward Customers as Brian
- 1974 · Romance with a Double Bass as Smychkov
- 1969 · The Best House in London as Jones (uncredited)
- 1968 · The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom as Post Office Clerk
- Future · Cancel Me as Self - Host / Presenter
- 2025 · Fawlty Towers: The Play as Self
- 2025 · The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers as
- 2023 · Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self
- 2021 · Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius as Interviewee
- 2021 · Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- 2015 · Behind Over the Garden Wall as Self
- 2014 · Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self
- 2013 · The Meaning of Monty Python as Self
- 2012 · The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
- 2010 · Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release as Self
- 2008 · Gaybo Laughs Back as Self
- 2008 · Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self
- 2008 · The Seventh Python as Self
- 2005 · The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? as Self
- 2001 · Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese as Kendisi
- 2000 · Quantum Project as Alexander Pentcho
- 1999 · Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm as Self
- 1999 · The Monty Python Story as Self
- 1999 · Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches as Self
- 1996 · Spike as Himself
- 1989 · Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters
- 1989 · Communicators From Hell as Brian
- 1988 · John Cleese's First Farewell Performance as Self
- 1987 · The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Jim Cleese
- 1983 · Group Madness as Self
- 1982 · The Secret Policeman's Other Ball as Self - Various Roles
- 1980 · The Queen Special as Man in Bar
- 1980 · The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio
- 1979 · Doctor Who: City of Death as Art Gallery Visitor
- 1979 · The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self
- 1979 · ...To Norway, Home of Giants! as Norman Fearless
- 1976 · Pleasure at Her Majesty's as Self
- 1974 · Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self
- 1970 · Monty Python: Who's There? as Timothy
- Future · The Philosophers' Football Match as Archimedes
- 2025 · John Cleese Packs It In as
- 2024 · The Roast of John Cleese as Self
- 2023 · The Dinosaur Hour Extra as
- 2023 · The Martini Shot as Dr. Auyeung
- 2021 · Why Are We (Not) Creative? as Self
- 2019 · Assholes: A Theory as Himself
- 2019 · Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Michael Palin: A Life on Screen as
- 2012 · Anatomy of a Liar as Self
- 2011 · John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live as
- 2009 · Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits as Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2008 · Life Of Brian Screenplay as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
- 2008 · Monty Python Conquers America as Self
- 2007 · What the Pythons Did Next... as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · Aud go'hjerta as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · The Art of Football from A to Z as Self
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2006 · Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best as Various Characters
- 2005 · Return of the Goodies as Himself
- 2005 · Fawlty Towers Revisited as Himself
- 2005 · The Funny Blokes of British Comedy as Himself
- 2005 · Complete Guide to Guys as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
- 2004 · Wine for the Confused as Self
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' as Self
- 2003 · Stupidity as Self
- 2002 · Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe as Self
- 2000 · Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big as The Giant Alien (voice)
- 2000 · The Life of Python as Self
- 2000 · Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn as Self
- 1999 · Mickey’s Mechanical House as Narrator (voice)
- 1998 · In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese as Self
- 1998 · Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self
- 1993 · Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? as
- 1991 · Amnesty International's Big 30 as Self
- 1991 · Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb as Narrator (voice)
- 1989 · Quark the Dragon Slayer as
- 1989 · The Movie Life of George as Self
- 1989 · Bosses From Hell as Brian
- 1989 · The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
- 1989 · Employees From Hell as Brian
- 1987 · Dragonslayer Quark as
- 1987 · Quark and the Highway Robber as
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1985 · Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff as Self
- 1980 · The Tom Machine as Computer (voice)
- 1979 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Himself - Various Roles
- 1979 · Golden Gordon as Passerby
- 1979 · Away from It All as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
- 1977 · The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It as Sherlock Holmes
- 1977 · The Mermaid Frolics as Self- Various roles
- 1977 · Three Piece Suite as Kevin
- 1976 · Meetings, Bloody Meetings as
- 1975 · How Not to Exhibit Yourself as John Cleese
- 1975 · Awkward Customers as Brian
- 1973 · Is This a Record? as Various
- 1973 · Monty Python In The Netherlands as
- 1973 · The Love Ban as Contraceptives Lecturer
- 1972 · Who Sold You This, Then? as
- 1971 · The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 as
- 1971 · Euroshow '71: May Day Special as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- 1970 · The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as Pumer
- 1969 · How to Irritate People as Himself - Various
- Future · Taking The Wheel as Nathan
- Future · How to Make Her Cheat as Terry




