Actor
John Cleese
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 ...

Known For
Movie

The Roast of John Cleese

Movie

The Palace

Movie

The Martini Shot

Movie

Rally Road Racers

Movie

Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

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