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John Cleese is an English actor, comedian, producer, screenwriter and writer. He is known for his work on screen and stage. He was a member of the comedy sketch group Monty Python. This is a filmography of his work which consists of about 180 various roles.
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Interlude | TV Publicist | |
| The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom | Post Office Clerk | ||
| 1969 | The Magic Christian | Mr. Dougdale (director in Sotheby's) | |
| The Best House in London | Jones | Uncredited | |
| 1970 | The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer | Pummer | Also writer |
| 1971 | And Now for Something Completely Different | Various roles | |
| The Statue | Harry | ||
| 1973 | The Love Ban | Sex Therapist | |
| 1974 | Romance with a Double Bass | Musician Smychkov | Also writer |
| 1975 | Monty Python and the Holy Grail | Various roles | |
| 1976 | Meetings, Bloody Meetings | Manager, various roles | |
| 1977 | The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It | Arthur Sherlock Holmes | |
| 1979 | Monty Python's Life of Brian | Various roles | |
| 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper | Neville | Cameo |
| Time Bandits | Gormless Robin Hood | ||
| 1982 | Privates on Parade | Major Giles Flack | |
| Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl | Various roles | Concert film; also writer | |
| 1983 | Yellowbeard | Harvey "Blind" Pew | |
| Monty Python's The Meaning of Life | Various roles | Also writer | |
| 1985 | Silverado | Langston | |
| 1986 | Clockwise | Mr. Stimpson | |
| 1988 | A Fish Called Wanda | Barrister Archie Leach | Also writer and executive producer |
| 1989 | Erik the Viking | Halfdan the Black | |
| The Big Picture | Bartender | Cameo | |
| 1990 | Bullseye! | Man on the Beach Who Looks Like John Cleese | |
| 1991 | An American Tail: Fievel Goes West | Cat R. Waul | Voice |
| 1993 | Splitting Heirs | Raoul P. Shadgrind | |
| 1994 | Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | Professor Waldman | |
| The Jungle Book | Dr. Julius Plumford | ||
| The Swan Princess | Jean-Bob | Voice | |
| 1996 | The Wind in the Willows | Mr. Toad's Lawyer | Cameo |
| 1997 | Fierce Creatures | Rollo Lee | Also writer and producer |
| George of the Jungle | Ape | Voice | |
| 1998 | In the Wild: Operation Lemur with John Cleese | Narrator | Documentary |
| 1999 | The Out-of-Towners | Mr. Mersault | |
| The World Is Not Enough | R | ||
| 2000 | Isn't She Great | Henry Marcus | |
| The Magic Pudding | Albert The Magic Pudding | Voice | |
| 2001 | Quantum Project | Alexander Pentcho | |
| Here's Looking at You: The Evolution of the Human Face | Narrator | Documentary | |
| Rat Race | Donald P. Sinclair | ||
| Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | Nearly Headless Nick | ||
| 2002 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | ||
| Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio | The Talking Cricket | Voice; English dub | |
| Die Another Day | Q | ||
| The Adventures of Pluto Nash | James | ||
| 2003 | Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | Mr. Munday | |
| Scorched | Charles Merchant | ||
| George of the Jungle 2 | Ape | Voice | |
| 2004 | Shrek 2 | King Harold | |
| Around the World in 80 Days | Grizzled Sergeant | ||
| 2005 | Valiant | Mercury | Voice |
| 2006 | Charlotte's Web | Samuel the Sheep | |
| Man About Town | Dr. Primkin | ||
| 2007 | Shrek the Third | King Harold | Voice |
| 2008 | Igor | Dr. Glickenstein | |
| The Day the Earth Stood Still | Dr. Barnhardt | ||
| 2009 | The Pink Panther 2 | Chief-Inspector Charles Dreyfus | |
| Planet 51 | Professor Kipple | Voice | |
| 2010 | Spud | The Guv | |
| Shrek Forever After | King Harold | Voice | |
| 2011 | Beethoven's Christmas Adventure | Narrator | |
| The Big Year | Historical Montage Narrator | ||
| Winnie the Pooh | Narrator | ||
| 2012 | God Loves Caviar | McCormick | |
| A Liar's Autobiography | David Frost / Various roles | Voices | |
| 2013 | The Last Impresario | Himself | Documentary |
| The Croods | Story credit | ||
| Spud 2: The Madness Continues | The Guv | ||
| Planes | Bulldog | Voice | |
| 2014 | Spud 3: Learning to Fly | The Guv | |
| 2015 | Absolutely Anything | Chief Alien | Voice |
| 2016 | Get Squirrely | Mr. Bellwood | |
| Albion: The Enchanted Stallion | General Eeder | ||
| Trolls | King Gristle Sr. | Voice | |
| 2018 | Charming | The Fairy Godmother | |
| Elliot the Littlest Reindeer | Donner | ||
| 2019 | The Naked Wanderer | Brian King | |
| Arctic Dogs | Doc Walrus | Voice | |
| 2020 | The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee | John | |
| 2021 | Father Christmas Is Back | John Christmas | |
| Clifford the Big Red Dog | Mr. Bridwell | ||
| 2022 | Daddy Daughter Trip | Frank | |
| 2023 | Rally Road Racers | Archie Vainglorious | Voice |
| The Palace | Arthur William Dallas III | ||
| The Martini Shot | Dr. Auyeung |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962–1963 | That Was the Week That Was | Writer | |
| 1966–1967 | The Frost Report | Various roles | 28 episodes; also writer |
| 1967 | At Last the 1948 Show | 2 seasons; also writer | |
| 1968 | How to Irritate People | Television film; also writer | |
| The Avengers | Marcus Rugman | 1 episode | |
| 1969–1974 | Monty Python's Flying Circus | Various roles | 40 episodes; also co-creator and writer |
| 1971, 1974 | Sez Les | 18 episodes | |
| 1972 | Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus | 2 episodes; also co-creator and writer | |
| 1973 | The Goodies | The Genie | Episode: "The Goodies and the Beanstalk" |
| Comedy Playhouse | Sherlock Holmes | Episode: "Elementary, My Dear Watson" | |
| 1975–1979 | Fawlty Towers | Basil Fawlty | 12 episodes; also co-creator and writer |
| 1977 | The Muppet Show | Himself | Episode: "John Cleese" |
| 1979 | Ripping Yarns | Passer-by | Episode: "Golden Gordon" |
| To Norway, Home of Giants | Norman Fearless | Television film | |
| Doctor Who | Art Gallery Visitor | Cameo; City of Death Part 4 | |
| 1980 | The Taming of the Shrew | Petruchio | Television film |
| The Secret Policeman's Ball | Himself (host) | Television special | |
| 1982 | Whoops Apocalypse | Lacrobat | 3 episodes |
| 1987 | Cheers | Dr. Simon Finch-Royce | Episode: "Simon Says" |
| The Grand Knockout Tournament | Himself | Television special | |
| 1988 | True Stories: Peace in our Time? | Neville Chamberlain | Television film |
| 1993 | Last of the Summer Wine | Neighbour | Episode: "Welcome to Earth" |
| Dr. Seuss Video Classics | Narrator (voice) | Episode: "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?" | |
| 1998 | Monty Python Live at Aspen | Himself | Television special |
| 1998, 2001 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Dr. Liam Neesam | 4 episodes |
| 1999 | Casper & Mandrilaftalen | Various roles | Episode #2.2 |
| 2001 | The Human Face | Himself (host) | 4 episodes; also writer |
| 2002 | Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) | Red Lansing | 12 episodes |
| Disney's House of Mouse | Narrator (voice) | 4 episodes | |
| 2003–2004 | Will & Grace | Lyle Finster | 6 episodes |
| 2004 | Wine for the Confused | Himself (host) | Documentary; also writer |
| 2008 | Batteries Not Included | 6 episodes | |
| We Are Most Amused | Television special | ||
| 2010 | Entourage | Himself | Episode: "Lose Yourself" |
| 2012–2013 | Whitney | Dr. Grant | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Over the Garden Wall | Quincy Endicott / Adelaide (voices) | |
| 2018–2019 | Hold the Sunset | Phil | 13 episodes |
| 2018 | Speechless | Martin | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | LOL: Last One Laughing [de] | Himself | 1 episode |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Half a Sixpence | Young Walsingham | Broadway production |
| 2005 | Spamalot | God (voice) | |
| 2014 | Monty Python Live (Mostly) | Various roles | Also writer |
| 2017 | Bang Bang! | N/A | Writer, adapting Georges Feydeau's Monsieur Chasse! |
Video games
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time | Performer | Video |
| 1996 | Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail | ||
| 1997 | Monty Python's The Meaning of Life | ||
| 1998 | Starship Titanic | The Bomb | Credited as Kim Bread |
| 2000 | 007 Racing | R | |
| 007: The World Is Not Enough (Nintendo 64) | |||
| 007: The World Is Not Enough (PlayStation) | |||
| 2004 | James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing | Q | |
| Time Troopers | Special Agent Wormold | ||
| Trivial Pursuit: Unhinged | History | ||
| 2005 | Jade Empire | Sir Roderick | |
| 2007 | Shrek the Third | King Harold | |
| 2010 | Fable III | Jasper | |
| 2012 | Smart As | The Narrator | |
| 2014 | The Elder Scrolls Online | Sir Cadwell | |
| 2015 | The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited | ||
| 2016 | The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Edition | ||
| Payday 2 | The Butler (Aldstone) | ||
| 2017 | Raid: World War II | Control | |
| 2018 | The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset | Sir Cadwell | |
| 2019 | The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr | ||
| 2020 | The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor | ||
| 2021 | The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood |
Radio credits
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1964–1973 | I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again |
| 1972 | I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue |
Audiobooks
(list only includes audiobooks in which Cleese is sole reader, not those in which he is part of a cast)
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1997 | The Inferno of Dante |
| 1999 | The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis |
| 2006 | Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss |
| 2012 | The Comedy Greats by Russell Davies |
| Tom Thumb | |
| 2016 | So, Anyway... autobiography by John Cleese |
Television advertisements
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | Royal Mail | Pirate / Sir Betty |
| 1975 | Texaco | Himself |
| 1978 | Accurist | |
| 1980–82 | Sony | |
| 1981 | Giroblauw (Netherlands) | Interviewer |
| 1982 | Postbank (Netherlands) | Himself |
| EAC Multilist (Australia) | Estate agent | |
| American Express | Himself | |
| 1980s | Compaq | |
| Planters Pretzels (Australia) | ||
| 1986 | Maxwell House | |
| 1988 | Talking Pages | Man who wants to marry Princess |
| 1990–91 | Schweppes | Himself |
| 1991–94 | Magnavox | |
| 1992–93 | Talking Pages | Colin |
| 1993 | Nestlé Milk Chocolate (Australia) | Himself |
| Cellnet | Woman | |
| 1993–95 | Health Education Authority (Smoking Quitline) | Himself |
| 1996 | Norwich Union Direct | |
| Tele Danmark (Denmark) | ||
| 1998 | Tostitos | French chef |
| Lexus | Himself, voice only | |
| 1998–99 | Sainsbury's | Himself |
| 1999 | Melba toast | |
| Artistdirect.com | ||
| 2001 | 007: Agent Under Fire | R |
| 2001–08 | Titleist | Ian MacCallister |
| 2002 | Little Tikes | Himself |
| Heineken | ||
| 2003 | Westinghouse Unplugged vacuum cleaner | |
| 2005 | Intel | |
| 2006 | TBS | |
| TV Spielfilm (Germany) | ||
| 2006–08 | Kaupþing (Iceland) | |
| 2008 | Bank Zachodni WBK (Poland) | |
| 2009 | Elgiganten (Sweden) | |
| Hashahar Ha'oleh (Israel) | Western general | |
| Accurist | Himself | |
| 2010 | William Hill (Austria) | |
| 2010–11 | AA | |
| 2011 | Dogtober (Australia) | Himself, voice only |
| 2012 | Czech Olympic Team (Czech Republic) | Himself |
| DirecTV | ||
| Canadian Club (Australia) | Himself, voice only | |
| 2015 | Specsavers | Basil Fawlty |
Notes
- Previously named Edith
References
- Wiseman, Andreas (9 November 2020). "'Father Christmas Is Back': First Trailer For Comedy Starring Elizabeth Hurley, John Cleese, Kelsey Grammer –AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- "Edith". Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- "Hold the Sunset". Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- David Hinkle (14 August 2012). "John Cleese to crack wise in Smart As". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- PAYDAY 2: Hoxton's Housewarming Party Trailer. Overkill Software. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016 – via YouTube.
External links
- Official website
- John Cleese at the Museum of Broadcast Communications at the Wayback Machine (archived 10 November 2005)
- John Cleese at the BBC Guide to Comedy
- John Cleese at IMDb
- John Cleese on Charlie Rose
- John Cleese collected news and commentary at The Guardian
- John Cleese collected news and commentary at The New York Times
- Podcast to celebrate The Life of Brian (March 2008)
- Daily Llama: John Cleese Visits Lemurs at San Francisco Zoo Archived 2010-12-16 at the Wayback Machine
- John Cleese Speaking at the American School in London
- A Conversation with John Cleese at Cornell University (September 2017)