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John Cleese

Personal Information

Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birth DateOct 27, 1939 (86 years old)
Zodiac Sign♏Scorpio
Place of BirthWeston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
Career Span1961 – Present (66 yrs)
Known Credits302 Titles
ActingPopularity Score 3.3

John Cleese

Also known as:John Marwood CleeseCleesey
Total Works

302

222 movies • 80 shows

Avg Rating

6.5 / 10

across rated releases

Box Office

—

worldwide gross

Global Reach

#3

TMDB star index

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

Signature Roles & Milestones

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
7.9
as Nearly Headless Nick
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
7.7
as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Shrek 2
7.3
Shrek 2
2004•movie
as King Harold (voice)
Shrek the Third
6.3
Shrek the Third
2007•movie
as King Harold (voice)

Full Filmography & Credits

Showing 302 titles featuring John Cleese

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
7.9

as Nearly Headless Nick

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
7.7

as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)

Shrek 2
7.3
Shrek 2
2004•movie

as King Harold (voice)

Shrek the Third
6.3
Shrek the Third
2007•movie

as King Harold (voice)

Shrek Forever After
6.4

as King Harold (voice)

The Croods
7.0
The Croods
2013•movie

Role: Story

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
7.8

as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter

Life of Brian
7.8
Life of Brian
1979•movie

as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur

The Croods: A New Age
7.4

Role: Thanks

Die Another Day
6.0
Die Another Day
2002•movie

as Q

Trolls
6.6
Trolls
2016•movie

as Roi Gristle (voice)

The Day the Earth Stood Still
5.7

as Professor Barnhardt

The World Is Not Enough
6.3

as R

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
5.5

as Mr. Munday

Around the World in 80 Days
6.0

as Grizzled Sergeant

A Fish Called Wanda
7.2

as Archie Leach

George of the Jungle
5.7

as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)

Planet 51
5.9
Planet 51
2009•movie

as Professor Kipple (voice)

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
7.3

as Various Roles

Rat Race
6.3
Rat Race
2001•movie

as Donald P. Sinclair

Planes
5.9
Planes
2013•movie

as Bulldog (voice)

Clifford the Big Red Dog
7.2

as Bridwell

Over the Garden Wall
8.6
1 eps

as Quincy Endicott (voice)

Absolutely Anything
5.9

as Chief Alien (voice)

Charlotte's Web
6.2
Charlotte's Web
2006•movie

as Samuel the Sheep (voice)

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
6.4

as Prof. Waldman

The Pink Panther 2
5.7
The Pink Panther 2
2009•movie

as Dreyfus

Time Bandits
6.6
Time Bandits
1981•movie

as Robin Hood

The Swan Princess
6.6
The Swan Princess
1994•movie

as Jean-Bob (voice)

Valiant
5.7
Valiant
2005•movie

as Mercury (voice)

Winnie the Pooh
6.9
Winnie the Pooh
2011•movie

as Narrator (voice)

The Big Year
6.0
The Big Year
2011•movie

as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)

Fawlty Towers
8.3
12 eps
Fawlty Towers
1975•series

as Basil Fawlty

Silverado
6.9
Silverado
1985•movie

as Sheriff John T. Langston

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
6.3

as Cat R. Waul (voice)

The Croods: Family Tree
7.2

Role: Creator

Monty Python's Flying Circus
8.3
39 eps

as Various / Announcer

Doctor Who
7.9
1 eps
Doctor Who
1963•series

as Art Gallery Visitor

Cheers
7.6
1 eps
Cheers
1982•series

as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce

Entourage
7.4
1 eps
Entourage
2004•series

as John Cleese

The Daily Show
6.4
1 eps
The Daily Show
1996•series

as Self

Igor
6.1
Igor
2008•movie

as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)

And Now for Something Completely Different
7.2

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

Will & Grace
6.9
4 eps
Will & Grace
1998•series

as Lyle Finster (uncredited)

3rd Rock from the Sun
7.5
4 eps

as Dr. Liam Neesam

The Adventures of Pluto Nash
4.4

as James

Saturday Night Live
6.9
1 eps
Saturday Night Live
1975•series

as Self / Various / Mr. Praline (uncredited)

The Jungle Book
6.0
The Jungle Book
1994•movie

as Dr. Julius Plumford

George of the Jungle 2
4.5

as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)

Fierce Creatures
6.2
Fierce Creatures
1997•movie

as Rollo Lee

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
5.8
1 eps
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
6.1
1 eps
The Muppet Show
8.0
1 eps
The Muppet Show
1976•series

as Self - Special Guest Star

The Great Muppet Caper
6.9

as Neville

Mickey's House of Villains
7.3

as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)

The Graham Norton Show
7.2
1 eps

as Self - Guest

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
7.0

as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)

Charming
6.3
Charming
2018•movie

as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)

Conan
7.2
1 eps
Conan
2010•series

as Self - Guest

The Out-of-Towners
5.8
The Out-of-Towners
1999•movie

as Mr. Mersault

Erik the Viking
5.9
Erik the Viking
1989•movie

as Halfdan the Black

Real Time with Bill Maher
6.0
2 eps

as Self

Clockwise
6.2
Clockwise
1986•movie

as Brian Stimpson

The Palace
5.4
The Palace
2023•movie

as Arthur William Dallas III

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
7.4

as Various Roles

Father Christmas Is Back
4.6

as John Christmas

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
6.0

as Narrator

Yellowbeard
5.6
Yellowbeard
1983•movie

as Harvey 'Blind' Pew

The Avengers
7.8
1 eps
The Avengers
1961•series

as Marcus Rugman

Man About Town
5.2
Man About Town
2006•movie

as Dr. Primkin

Arctic Dogs
6.0
Arctic Dogs
2019•movie

as Otto von Walrus (voice)

MADtv
7.1
2 eps
MADtv
1995•series

as Self

Scorched
5.5
Scorched
2003•movie

as Charles Merchant

Late Night with Seth Meyers
5.1
1 eps

as Self - Guest

The Big Picture
5.9
The Big Picture
1989•movie

as Bartender

Speechless
6.9
2 eps
Speechless
2016•series

as Martin

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.6
1 eps
Disney's House of Mouse
7.7
0
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion
5.7

as General Eeder

Monty Python Live (Mostly)
7.2

as Self, others

LOL: Last One Laughing
7.5
1 eps

as Self

Splitting Heirs
5.2
Splitting Heirs
1993•movie

as Raoul P. Shadgrind

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
5.7

as Donner (voice)

E! True Hollywood Story
8.1
1 eps
Whitney
5.2
2 eps
Whitney
2011•series

as Dr. Grant

Concert for George
8.1
Concert for George
2003•movie

as Self

The Wind in the Willows
5.8

as Mr. Toad's Lawyer

Spud
7.0
Spud
2010•movie

as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

L'Entente cordiale
4.8
L'Entente cordiale
2006•movie

as Lord Conrad

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee
4.7
The Magic Christian
5.8

as Director in Sotheby's

Rally Road Racers
6.4
Rally Road Racers
2023•movie

as Archie Vainglorious (voice)

How to Irritate People
6.6

as Himself - Various

The Secret Life of Brian
7.7

as Self

Isn't She Great
4.9
Isn't She Great
2000•movie

as Henry Marcus

God Loves Caviar
5.4
God Loves Caviar
2012•movie

as McCormick

Daddy Daughter Trip
6.9

as Frank

Bullseye!
5.1
Bullseye!
1990•movie

as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese

Spud 2: The Madness Continues
6.9

as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
7.4
The One Show
4.3
1 eps
The One Show
2006•series

as Self - Guest

Spud 3: Learning to Fly
6.0

as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly

The Two Ronnies
7.8
The Two Ronnies
1971•series

Role: Writer

Not the Nine O'Clock News
7.3
1 eps
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
6.8
The Last Leg
5.7
2 eps
The Last Leg
2013•series

as Self

Return of the Goodies
6.9

as Himself

Ripping Yarns
7.7
1 eps
Ripping Yarns
1976•series
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
7.2

as Self / Various Characters

Wetten, dass..?
5.6
1 eps
Wetten, dass..?
1981•series

as Self

This Morning
5.2
1 eps
This Morning
1988•series

as Self

Privates on Parade
4.9
Privates on Parade
1983•movie

as Major Giles Flack

The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
7.6
Why Are We Creative?
7.5

as Self

Monty Python: Live at Aspen
7.1

as Self

Mickey Mouse Works
7.1
1 eps
Mickey Mouse Works
1999•series

as Narrator (voice)

A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown
4.7

as Mr. Bellwood (voice)

At Last the 1948 Show
7.5
13 eps
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
5.3
1 eps
The Magic Pudding
5.2
The Magic Pudding
2000•movie

as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)

Parting Shots
5.5
Parting Shots
1999•movie

as Maurice Walpole

The Nutcracker
6.1
The Nutcracker
1999•movie

as Narrator

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
6.8

as Post Office Clerk

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
7.6
2 eps

as Various Characters

Markus Lanz
5.5
1 eps
Markus Lanz
2008•series

as Self

Romance with a Double Bass
6.1

as Smychkov

Stupidity
5.4
Stupidity
2003•movie

as Self

The Naked Wanderer
4.8
The Naked Wanderer
2019•movie

as Brian King

Richard & Judy
3.4
1 eps
Richard & Judy
2001•series

as Self

The Statue
4.8
The Statue
1971•movie

as Harry

Interlude
5.5
Interlude
1968•movie

as Television public relations man

Rentadick
4.2
Rentadick
1972•movie

Role: Writer

The Undefeated
2.7
The Undefeated
2011•movie

as Self (archive footage)

Whoops Apocalypse
6.9
3 eps
Whoops Apocalypse
1982•series

as Lacrobat

Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom
7.1

as Self (archive footage)

Skavlan
5.0
1 eps
Skavlan
2009•series

as Self - Guest

Hold the Sunset
6.4
12 eps
Hold the Sunset
2018•series

as Phil

Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
7.6
40 eps

as Narrator (voice)

TFI Friday
7.1
1 eps
TFI Friday
1996•series
The Best House in London
4.0

as Jones (uncredited)

An Accidental Studio
6.4

as Self (archive footage)

Casper & Mandrilaftalen
7.7
1 eps

as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson

Omnibus
7.2
1 eps
Omnibus
1967•series

as Self

Canterbury Tales
6.4
1 eps
Canterbury Tales
2003•series

as Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)

The Secret Policeman's Ball
6.4

as Himself - Various Roles

The Love Ban
3.6
The Love Ban
1973•movie

as Contraceptives Lecturer

Doctor Who: City of Death
9.0

as Art Gallery Visitor

Wogan
5.6
3 eps
Wogan
1982•series

as Self

The Taming of the Shrew
8.0

as Petruchio

Away from It All
6.6
Away from It All
1979•movie

as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)

The Meaning of Monty Python
7.4

as Self

The South Bank Show
5.6
1 eps
The South Bank Show
1978•series
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
6.3

as Self - Various Roles

The Martini Shot
6.5
The Martini Shot
2023•movie

as Dr. Auyeung

Best Ever Bond
5.7
Best Ever Bond
2002•movie

as Self / R

Fawlty Towers: The Play
6.9

as Self

The Human Face
7.3
4 eps
The Human Face
2001•series

as Presenter

ABC Stage 67
6.8
ABC Stage 67
1966•series

Role: Writer

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
8.4

as Self / Basil Fawlty

Peter Cook & Co.
7.8
Peter Cook & Co.
1980•movie

as Himself / Various Characters

Complete Guide to Guys
5.4

as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon

Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
6.8
Monty Python's Personal Best
5.7
6 eps

as Self / Various Characters

The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
7.2
1 eps
Six Dates with Barker
7.4

Role: Writer

The Art of Football from A to Z
4.8
Life of Python
6.2
Life of Python
1990•movie

as Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)

The Grand Knockout Tournament
6.8
Monty Python Conquers America
6.2
The Mermaid Frolics
5.3

as Self- Various roles

The Last Impresario
5.5

as Self

Robins
7.8
1 eps
Robins
2006•series

as Self - Guest

Wine for the Confused
8.8

as Self

Pleasure at Her Majesty's
7.0

as Self

Anatomy of a Liar
6.3
Anatomy of a Liar
2012•movie

as Self

Fawlty Towers Revisited
8.0

as Himself

The Roast of John Cleese
3.7

as Self

Rockstar
5.3
Rockstar
2000•movie

as Interviewer in lounge

Assholes: A Theory
4.0
Assholes: A Theory
2019•movie

as Himself

Sez Les
6.3
7 eps
Sez Les
1969•series
An Audience with...
5.3
1 eps
An Audience with...
1978•series

as Self

Funny Business
7.3
6 eps
Funny Business
1992•series
John Bishop: In Conversation with...
7.0
1 eps
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
3.3
1 eps

as Self - Contestant

Joe & David's Magical Sitcom Tour
8.3
1 eps
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
8.5
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
7.5

as Jim Cleese

...To Norway, Home of Giants!
8.5

as Norman Fearless

We Are Most Amused
7.2
We Are Most Amused
2008•movie

as Self - Presenter

Golden Gordon
8.0
Golden Gordon
1979•movie

as Passerby

British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
5.7

as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
6.0
1 eps

as Self

Friday Night, Saturday Morning
7.5
1 eps
Titel, Thesen, Temperamente
6.5
1 eps

as Self (archive footage)

Three Piece Suite
5.5
1 eps
Three Piece Suite
1977•series

as Kevin (segment "Every Day in Every Way")

That Was the Week That Was
8.5

Role: Writer

Quantum Project
10.0
Quantum Project
2000•movie

as Alexander Pentcho

Hitler: The Comedy Years
5.0

as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)

Is This a Record?
6.0
Is This a Record?
1973•movie

as Various

Why Are We (Not) Creative?
6.0

as Self

Euroshow '71: May Day Special
10.0

as Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)

Amnesty International's Big 30
4.0
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
9.0
Elementary, My Dear Watson
7.0

as Sherlock Holmes

Awkward Customers
9.0
Awkward Customers
1975•movie

as Brian

More Awkward Customers
9.0

as Brian

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
9.0

as Self (archive footage)

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
9.0

as Self (archive footage)

The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
8.0
Group Madness
9.0
Group Madness
1983•movie

as Self

Spike
10.0
Spike
1996•movie

as Self

Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
9.0

as Self (archive footage)

Monty Python: Who's There?
6.0

as Timothy

Behind Over the Garden Wall
7.0

as Self

Three Piece Suite
6.0
Three Piece Suite
1977•movie

as Kevin

The Philosophers' Football Match
10.0

as Archimedes

Monty Python In The Netherlands
6.0

as Narrator / Pie Face 2

The Secret Policeman's Ball
5.0
15 eps

as Self

Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
8.0
6 eps

as Red Lansing

A Life on Screen
8.0
1 eps
A Life on Screen
2014•series

as Self

Legends
5.0
1 eps
Legends
2006•series

as Self

Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
2.0
5 eps

as Self (archive footage)

Monty Python: Live at Aspen
6.0

Role: Creator

as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion

Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius

as Interviewee

The Seventh Python
The Seventh Python
2008•movie

as Self

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big

as The Giant Alien (voice)

The Movie Life of George

as Self

The Roots of Monty Python

as Self (archive footage)

What the Pythons Did Next...

as Self (archive footage)

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

as Self (archive footage)

The Monty Python Story

as Self

The Life of Python
The Life of Python
2000•movie

as Self

The Queen Special
The Queen Special
1980•movie

as Man in Bar

Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits

as Self / Basil Fawlty

Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)

Making Rat Race
Making Rat Race
2002•movie

as Himself

Bosses From Hell
Bosses From Hell
1989•movie

as Brian

Customers From Hell

as Brian

Communicators From Hell

as Brian

Employees From Hell

as Brian

Gaybo Laughs Back
Gaybo Laughs Back
2008•movie

as Self

Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best

as Various Roles (archive footage)

Aud go'hjerta
Aud go'hjerta
2006•movie

as Self (archive footage)

Mickey’s Mechanical House

as Narrator (voice)

The Goodies and the Beanstalk

as The Genie

Teams from Hell
Teams from Hell
1989•movie
Creativity in Management

as Self

Movie Connections
1 eps
Movie Connections
2007•series

as Self

The Dinosaur Hour
1 eps
The Dinosaur Hour
2023•series

as Self

Why there is no hope
1 eps

as Actor

Parkinson
1 eps
Parkinson
1998•series

as Self

Soccer's American Dream
1 eps

as Self (archive footage)

Snavely
Snavely
1978•movie

Role: Creator

Zum letzten Kliff
Zum letzten Kliff
2001•movie

Role: Original Story