John Cleese
Known for: Acting
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
Filmography
Series
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self
2015
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
2014
Series
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest
2014
Series
The Daily Show
Self
1996
Series
Saturday Night Live
Self / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited)
1975
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
Conan
Self - Guest
2010
Series
Real Time with Bill Maher
Self
2003
Series
The Graham Norton Show
Self - Guest
2007
Series
The Graham Norton Show
Self
2007
Film
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Nearly Headless Nick
2001
Series
Entourage
John Cleese
2004
Series
Cheers
Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
1982
Series
Doctor Who
Art Gallery Visitor
1963
Series
The Avengers
Marcus Rugman
1961
Series
Wetten, dass..?
Self
1981
Film
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
2002
Series
Markus Lanz
Self
2008
Series
The One Show
Self - Guest
2006
Series
Will & Grace
Lyle Finster (uncredited)
1998
Series
3rd Rock from the Sun
Dr. Liam Neesam
1996
Series
Wogan
Self
1982
Film
Shrek 2
King Harold (voice)
2004
Film
Shrek the Third
King Harold (voice)
2007
Series
Skavlan
Self - Guest
2009
Series
Parkinson
Self
1998
Film '72
Self
1971
Series
Omnibus
Self
1967
Series
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self
1975
Series
The Last Leg
Self
2013
Series
TFI Friday
1996
Film
Shrek Forever After
King Harold (voice)
2010
Series
Speechless
Martin
2016
Series
An Audience with...
Self
1978
Series
Richard & Judy
Self
2001
Series
Over the Garden Wall
Quincy Endicott (voice)
2014
Series
Over the Garden Wall
Adelaide (voice)
2014
Series
The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Series
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Various / Announcer
1969
Series
Disney's House of Mouse
2001
Series
Disney's House of Mouse
Narrator (voice)
2001
Film
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
1975
Film
Trolls
Roi Gristle (voice)
2016
Film
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Mr. Munday
2003
Film
Die Another Day
Q
2002
Titel, Thesen, Temperamente
Self (archive footage)
1967
Film
Life of Brian
Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
1979
Film
The World Is Not Enough
R
1999
Series
Fawlty Towers
Basil Fawlty
1975
Film
Planet 51
Professor Kipple (voice)
2009
Series
Mickey Mouse Works
Narrator (voice)
1999
Film
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Professor Barnhardt
2008
Series
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Self
1999
Film
Planes
Bulldog (voice)
2013
Film
Rat Race
Donald P. Sinclair
2001
Film
Around the World in 80 Days
Grizzled Sergeant
2004
Film
Winnie the Pooh
Narrator (voice)
2011
Film
Charlotte's Web
Samuel the Sheep (voice)
2006
Film
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Mr. Bridwell
2021
Film
George of the Jungle
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
1997
Series
Whitney
Dr. Grant
2011
Series
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
Self - Contestant
2009
Film
A Fish Called Wanda
Archie Leach
1988
Series
LOL: Last One Laughing
Self
2021
Film
Arctic Dogs
Otto von Walrus (voice)
2019
Series
Robins
Self - Guest
2006
Series
Legends
Self
2006
Film
The Jungle Book
Dr. Julius Plumford
1994
Film
Valiant
Mercury (voice)
2005
Film
The Big Year
Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
2011
Film
Silverado
Sheriff John T. Langston
1985
Film
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Various Roles
1983
Film
Time Bandits
Robin Hood
1981
Film
Igor
Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
2008
Film
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
Cat R. Waul (voice)
1991
Film
The Pink Panther 2
Dreyfus
2009
Film
Absolutely Anything
Chief Alien (voice)
2015
Film
The Swan Princess
Jean-Bob (voice)
1994
Film
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Prof. Waldman
1994
Film
Charming
Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
2018
Series
Not the Nine O'Clock News
1979
Film
Mickey's House of Villains
Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
2002
Series
John Bishop: In Conversation with...
Self
2016
Series
Canterbury Tales
Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
2003
Series
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self
1976
Film
The Palace
Arthur William Dallas III
2023
Series
Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time
Self
2020
Series
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
1979
Series
Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Narrator (voice)
2011
NDR Kultur – Das Journal
Self
2002
Film
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
2001
Film
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Donner (voice)
2018
Series
Casper & Mandrilaftalen
Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
1999
Film
Erik the Viking
Halfdan the Black
1989
Film
The Adventures of Pluto Nash
James
2002
Film
The Great Muppet Caper
Neville
1981
Film
George of the Jungle 2
An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
2003
Film
Rally Road Racers
Archie Vainglorious (voice)
2023
Film
Scorched
Charles Merchant
2003
Film
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
Narrator
2011
Film
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
Misleading Cases
Mr. Partridge
1967
Series
Ripping Yarns
1976
Series
Sez Les
1969
Series
Sez Les
self
1969
Series
Soccer's American Dream
Self (archive footage)
2026
Film
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
John
2020
Film
The Wind in the Willows
Mr. Toad's Lawyer
1996
Series
Hold the Sunset
Phil
2018
Film
Amnesty International's Big 30
Self
1991
Gay Byrne's Late Late Moments
Self (archive footage)
2020
Film
Isn't She Great
Henry Marcus
2000
Look at the State We're In!
Harold Kingsby
1995
Look at the State We're In!
Politician
1995
Series
At Last the 1948 Show
1967
Film
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1971
Film
The Big Picture
Bartender
1989
Film
Yellowbeard
Harvey 'Blind' Pew
1983
Film
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
Mr. Bellwood (voice)
2015
Film
Fierce Creatures
Rollo Lee
1997
Series
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
Series
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Self
2009
Film
Father Christmas Is Back
John Christmas
2021
Series
Whoops Apocalypse
Lacrobat
1982
Series
A Life on Screen
Self
2014
Film
Spud
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2010
The Frost Report
1966
Film
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
General Eeder
2016
Series
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Self (archive footage)
2014
Film
Man About Town
Dr. Primkin
2006
Film
The Magic Christian
Director in Sotheby's
1969
Series
This Morning
Self
1988
Series
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
Red Lansing
2002
Series
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
2007
Series
MADtv
Self
1995
Film
The Out-of-Towners
Mr. Mersault
1999
Film
Why Are We Creative?
Self
2018
Film
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
Self
1985
Film
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Various Roles
1982
Series
Movie Connections
Self
2007
Film
The Magic Pudding
Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
2000
Series
Monty Python's Personal Best
Self / Various Characters
2006
Film
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Jim Cleese
1987
Film
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
Self
2020
Film
Employees From Hell
Brian
1989
Film
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2021
Film
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
Self
2020
Film
Splitting Heirs
Raoul P. Shadgrind
1993
Series
Funny Business
1992
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Self
2005
Film
Daddy Daughter Trip
Frank
2022
Film
An Accidental Studio
Self (archive footage)
2019
Film
We Are Most Amused
Self - Presenter
2008
Film
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Self
1990
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Film
The Movie Life of George
Self
1989
Film
Parting Shots
Maurice Walpole
1999
Film
Concert for George
Self
2003
Film
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
1987
Film
The Martini Shot
Dr. Auyeung
2023
Film
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Self
2004
Film
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self
2014
Film
The Secret Life of Brian
Self
2007
Film
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Self, others
2014
Film
The Art of Football from A to Z
Self
2006
Film
Clockwise
Brian Stimpson
1986
Film
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
2008
Series
Three Piece Suite
Kevin
1977
Film
Best Ever Bond
Self / R
2002
Film
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
Post Office Clerk
1968
Series
The Dinosaur Hour
Self
2023
Film
The Nutcracker
Narrator
1999
Film
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self / Basil Fawlty
2009
Film
The Last Impresario
Self
2014
Film
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
The Giant Alien (voice)
2000
Film
Bullseye!
Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
1990
Film
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Self
2002
Film
The Naked Wanderer
Brian King
2019
Film
God Loves Caviar
McCormick
2012
Film
What the Pythons Did Next...
Self (archive footage)
2007
Film
The Undefeated
Self (archive footage)
2011
Film
Doctor Who: City of Death
Art Gallery Visitor
1979
Film
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self - Various Roles
1982
Film
Spud 2: The Madness Continues
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2013
Film
Golden Gordon
Passerby
1979
Film
L'Entente cordiale
Lord Conrad
2006
Film
John Cleese Packs It In
2025
Series
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
Various Characters
1972
Film
Return of the Goodies
Himself
2005
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
The Dinosaur Hour Extra
2023
Film
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Self
1998
Series
The Human Face
Presenter
2001
Series
The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
Self
1994
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Series
Why there is no hope
Actor
2020
Film
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Self
2002
Film
Behind Over the Garden Wall
Self
2015
Film
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007
Film
The Life of Python
Self
2000
Film
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2014
Film
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
2016
Film
The Best House in London
Jones (uncredited)
1969
Film
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Self
1976
Film
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Pumer
1970
Film
Anatomy of a Liar
Self
2012
Film
The Mermaid Frolics
Self- Various roles
1977
Film
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Self
2012
Film
Romance with a Double Bass
Smychkov
1974
Film
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self
2014
Film
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Himself - Various Roles
1979
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Film
How to Make Her Cheat
Terry
Film
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Various (voice)
2012
Film
The Meaning of Monty Python
Self
2013
Film
Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom
Self (archive footage)
2022
Film
More Awkward Customers
Brian
1975
Film
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self
1989
Film
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self
2008
Film
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Self
1999
Dragonslayer Quark
1987
Film
Bosses From Hell
Brian
1989
Film
How to Irritate People
Himself - Various
1969
Film
Peter Cook & Co.
Himself / Various Characters
1980
Film
Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Self
2021
Film
Privates on Parade
Major Giles Flack
1983
Film
Fawlty Towers: The Play
Self
2025
Film
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Self
1979
Film
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self
2004
Film
Interlude
Television public relations man
1968
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
2008
Film
The Queen Special
Man in Bar
1980
Film
Complete Guide to Guys
Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
2005
Film
Customers From Hell
Brian
1989
Film
Monty Python In The Netherlands
1973
Cancel Me
Self - Host / Presenter
Film
Making Rat Race
Himself
2002
Film
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2025
Film
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018
Film
Stupidity
Self
2003
Film
The Statue
Harry
1971
Film
Life of Python
Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
1990
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Film
Teams from Hell
1989
Film
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Himself
2005
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb
Narrator (voice)
1991
Film
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
2011
Film
Group Madness
Self
1983
Film
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
Self / Basil Fawlty
2009
Film
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Sherlock Holmes
1977
Film
The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)
2005
Film
Customer Service From Hell
1989
Film
Meetings, Bloody Meetings
1976
Film
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn
Self
2000
Film
Rockstar
Interviewer in lounge
2000
Film
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
Self
1998
Film
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Self
2008
Film
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Self (archive footage)
2004
The Splendid Thing
Film
Who Sold You This, Then?
1972
Film
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Self (archive footage)
2004
Film
Communicators From Hell
Brian
1989
Film
The Taming of the Shrew
Petruchio
1980
Film
Wine for the Confused
Self
2004
Film
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
1989
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
Self
1988
Film
The Love Ban
Contraceptives Lecturer
1973
Film
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
Interviewee
2021
Film
The Seventh Python
Self
2008
Film
The Goodies and the Beanstalk
The Genie
1973
Film
The Monty Python Story
Self
1999
Film
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Self
1974
Film
...To Norway, Home of Giants!
Norman Fearless
1979
Film
Interviewers From Hell
1989
Film
The Philosophers' Football Match
Archimedes
1972
Film
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Self
2003
Film
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
Self
2010
Film
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Self (archive footage)
2019
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Film
Colleagues From Hell
1989
Film
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
Film
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
Self (archive footage)
2004
Quark and the Highway Robber
1987
Film
Assholes: A Theory
Himself
2019
Film
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Self
1999
Film
Away from It All
Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
1979
Film
Three Piece Suite
Kevin
1977
Film
Sales People from Hell
1989
Film
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Self
2023
Film
Mickey’s Mechanical House
Narrator (voice)
1999
Film
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Film
Monty Python: Who's There?
Timothy
1970
How Not to Exhibit Yourself
John Cleese
1975
Film
Creativity in Management
Self
1991
Film
Spike
Self
1996
Film
Gaybo Laughs Back
Self
2008
Film
Aud go'hjerta
Self (archive footage)
2006
Film
The Roast of John Cleese
Self
2024
Taking The Wheel
Nathan
Film
Awkward Customers
Brian
1975
Film
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
Kendisi
2001
Film
Quark the Dragon Slayer
1989
The Tom Machine
Computer (voice)
1980
Film
Is This a Record?
Various
1973
Film
Quantum Project
Alexander Pentcho
2000
Baby Quark
1987
Film
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Sherlock Holmes
1973
Film
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
1993