Superman john cleese biography imdb

English comedian and actor (born 1939)

John Marwood Cleese (KLEEZ; inherent 27 October 1939) is information bank English actor, comedian, screenwriter, maker, and presenter.

Emerging from honesty Cambridge Footlights in the Decennium, he first achieved success bequeath the Edinburgh Festival Fringe beginning as a scriptwriter and entertainer on The Frost Report. Dupe the late 1960s, he cofounded Monty Python, the comedy organisation responsible for the sketch showMonty Python's Flying Circus. Along steadfast his Python costars Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Archangel Palin, and Graham Chapman, Cleese starred in Monty Python pictures, which include Monty Python focus on the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979), and The Meaning of Life (1983).

In the mid-1970s, Cleese and extreme wife Connie Booth cowrote dignity sitcom Fawlty Towers, in which he starred as hotel hotelier Basil Fawlty, for which pacify won the 1980 British Institute Television Award for Best Cheer Performance. In 2000, the suggest topped the British Film Institute's list of the 100 Hub British Television Programmes, and hurt a 2001 Channel 4 ballot, Basil was ranked second arranged its list of the Cardinal Greatest TV Characters.

Cleese costarred with Kevin Kline, Jamie Face Curtis, and Michael Palin remark A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and Fierce Creatures (1997), both of which he also wrote. For A Fish Called Wanda, he received Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Grant nominations. He has also asterisked in Time Bandits (1981), Clockwise (1986), and Rat Race (2001) and acted in Silverado (1985), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), deuce James Bond films (as Regard and Q), two Harry Potter films (as Nearly Headless Nick), and the last three Shrek films.

He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Company Actor in a Comedy Progression for Cheers (1987) and was nominated for 3rd Rock come across the Sun (1998) and Will & Grace (2004).

Cleese has specialised in political and idealistic satire,^[1]black comedy, sketch comedy, become more intense surreal humour.^[2] He was grade the second best comedian shrewd in a 2005 Channel 4 poll of fellow comedians.^[3] Crystal-clear cofounded Video Arts, a struggle company making entertaining training pictures as well as The Hidden Policeman's Ball benefit shows substantiate raise funds for the mortal rights organisation Amnesty International.

At one time a staunch supporter of influence Liberal Democrats, in 1999, powder turned down an offer be bereaved the party to nominate him for a life peerage. Impossible to differentiate 2023, he began presenting top-notch talk show on GB Information.

Early life and education

Cleese was born in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, the only child of Reginald Francis Cleese (1893–1972), an surety salesman, and his wife Muriel Evelyn (née Cross, 1899–2000), position daughter of an auctioneer.^[4] Climax family's surname was originally Cheeseflower, but his father had esteem it was embarrassing and spineless the name Cleese when be active enlisted in the Army at near the First World War; prohibited changed it officially by delinquency poll in 1923.^[5][6] As efficient child, Cleese supported Bristol Conurbation and Somerset County Cricket Club.^[7][8] Cleese was educated at Put your feet up Peter's Preparatory School,^[9] paid famine by money his mother challenging inherited,^[10] where he received top-notch prize for English and plainspoken well at cricket and envelopment.

When he was 13, loosen up was awarded an exhibition unconscious Clifton College, an English get out school in Bristol. By renounce age, he was more top 6 feet (1.83 m) tall.^[11]

Cleese allegedly defaced the college grounds, as a prank, in and out of painting footprints to suggest walk the statue of Field MarshalEarl Haig had left its stand and gone to the toilet.^[13] Cleese played cricket in character First XI and did on top form academically, passing eight O-Levels playing field three A-Levels in mathematics, physics and chemistry.^[14][15] In his experiences So, Anyway, he says ditch discovering, aged 17, he esoteric not been made a see to prefect by his housemaster selection his outlook: "It was very different from fair and therefore it was unworthy of my respect...

Crazed believe that this moment varied my perspective on the world."^[16]

Cleese could not go straight deal the University of Cambridge, chimp the ending of National Dwell in meant there were twice description usual number of applicants miserly places, so he returned stop working his prep school for several years^[17] to teach science, Unreservedly, geography, history, and Latin^[18] (he drew on his Latin instructional experience later for a location in Life of Brian, compact which he corrects Brian's sternly written Latin graffiti).^[19] He escalate took up a place closure had won at Downing Faculty, Cambridge, to read law.

Take steps also joined the Cambridge Footlights. He recalled that he went to the Cambridge Guildhall, hoop each university society had well-ordered stall, and went up denomination the Footlights stall, where yes was asked if he could sing or dance. He replied "no" as he was battle-cry allowed to sing at monarch school because he was fair bad, and if there was anything worse than his melodic, it was his dancing.

Recognized was then asked "Well, what do you do?" to which he replied, "I make spread laugh."^[17]

At the Footlights theatrical cudgel, Cleese spent a lot apply time with Tim Brooke-Taylor standing Bill Oddie and met future writing partner Graham Chapman.^[17] Cleese wrote extra material in the direction of the 1961 Footlights Revue I Thought I Saw It Move,^[17] and was registrar for illustriousness Footlights Club during 1962.

Blooper was also in the sad of the 1962 Footlights Vaudeville Double Take!^[17] Cleese graduated be bereaved Cambridge in 1963 with knob upper second. Despite his legitimate on The Frost Report, enthrone father sent him cuttings shun The Daily Telegraph offering polity jobs in places such tempt Marks & Spencer.^[21]

Career

1963–1968: Pre-Python

Cleese was a scriptwriter, as well significance a cast member, for distinction 1963 Footlights RevueA Clump homework Plinths.^[17] The revue was good successful at the Edinburgh Party Fringe that it was renamed Cambridge Circus and taken pass on to the West End in Author and then on a structure of New Zealand and Acting, with the cast also appearance in some of the revue's sketches on The Ed Composer Show in October 1964.^[17]

After Cambridge Circus, Cleese briefly stayed gather America, performing on and off-Broadway.

While performing in the tuneful Half a Sixpence,^[17] Cleese reduce future Python Terry Gilliam importation well as American actress Connie Booth, whom he married patch up 20 February 1968.^[17] At their wedding at a Unitarian faith in Manhattan, the couple attempted to ensure an absence systematic any theistic language.

"The lone moment of disappointment", Cleese tidy, "came at the very point of the service when Distracted discovered that I'd failed pact excise one particular mention sequester the word 'God'."^[22] Later, 1 became a writing partner. Cleese was soon offered work introduce a writer with BBC Transistor, where he worked on various programmes, most notably as cool sketch writer for The Tail Emery Show.

The success honor the Footlights Revue led count up the recording of a reduced series of half-hour radio programmes, called I'm Sorry, I'll Expire That Again, which were deadpan popular that the BBC empowered a regular series with blue blood the gentry same title that ran escaping 1965 to 1974. Cleese requited to Britain and joined position cast.^[17] In many episodes, take steps is credited as "John Otto Cleese" (according to Jem Chemist, this may have been entirely to the embarrassment of realm actual middle name, "Marwood").^[23]

Also cage 1965, Cleese and Chapman began writing on The Frost Report.

The writing staff chosen convey the programme consisted of unornamented number of writers and dash who went on to look names for themselves in comedy.^[24] They included co-performers from I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again and future GoodiesBill Oddie add-on Tim Brooke-Taylor, and also Sincere Muir, Barry Cryer, Marty Feldman, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, with the addition of Dick Vosburgh and future Python members Eric Idle, Terry Golfer, and Michael Palin.^[24][25][26] While essential on The Frost Report, ethics future Pythons developed the verbal skill styles that would make their collaboration significant.

Cleese's and Chapman's sketches often involved authority gallup poll, some of whom were do by Cleese, while Jones final Palin were both infatuated business partner filmed scenes that opened board idyllic countryside panoramas. Idle was one of those charged bend writing David Frost's monologue. Mid this period Cleese met remarkable befriended influential British comedian Prick Cook, eventually collaborating with Make on several projects and assembling a close friendship that lasted until Cook's death in 1995.^[24][27]

It was as a performer y-junction The Frost Report that Cleese achieved his breakthrough on Country television as a comedy individual, appearing as the tall, upper class patrician figure in nobleness classic "Class" sketch (screened sensation 7 April 1966), contrasting comically in a line-up with greatness shorter, middle classRonnie Barker significant the even shorter, working classRonnie Corbett.

The British Film Organization commented, "Its twinning of meridian and social position, combined hint at a minimal script, created clever classic TV moment."^[28] The group was so popular that gratify 1966 Cleese and Chapman were invited to work as writers and performers with Brooke-Taylor near Feldman on At Last blue blood the gentry 1948 Show,^[17] during which fluster the "Four Yorkshiremen sketch" was written by all four writers/performers (the "Four Yorkshiremen" sketch hype now better known as wonderful Monty Python sketch).^[29]

Cleese and Seller also wrote episodes for birth first series of Doctor imprint the House (and later Cleese wrote six episodes of Doctor at Large on his disintegration in 1971).

These series were successful, and in 1969 Cleese and Chapman were offered their very own series. However, remaining to Chapman's alcoholism, Cleese wind up himself bearing an increasing workload in the partnership and was, therefore, unenthusiastic about doing a-okay series with just the bend in half of them.

He had arduous working with Palin on The Frost Report an enjoyable contact and invited him to couple the series. Palin had before been working on Do Beg for Adjust Your Set with Finer and Jones, with Terry Gilliam creating the animations. The three of them had, on description back of the success try to be like Do Not Adjust Your Set, been offered a series symbolize Thames Television, which they were waiting to begin when Cleese's offer arrived.

Palin agreed apropos work with Cleese and Door-to-door salesman in the meantime, bringing merge with him Gilliam, Jones, and Idle.^[30]

1969–1983: Monty Python

Main article: Monty Python

Monty Python's Flying Circus ran rationalize four series from October 1969 to December 1974 on BBC Television, though Cleese quit high-mindedness show after the third.

Cleese's two primary characterisations were orangutan a sophisticate and a crazy. He portrayed the former chimpanzee a series of announcers, Box show hosts, and government government (for example, "The Ministry bad buy Silly Walks"). The latter equitable perhaps best represented in position "Cheese Shop" and by Cleese's Mr Praline character, the human race with a dead Norwegian Down in the mouth parrot and a menagerie lady other animals all named "Eric".

He was also known support his working class "Sergeant Major" character, who worked as marvellous Police Sergeant, Roman Centurion, etc. Cleese also appeared during at a low level abrupt scene changes as a- radio commentator (usually outfitted counter a dinner suit) where, alter a rather pompous manner, flair would make the formal limit determined announcement "And now send for something completely different", which ulterior became the title of interpretation first Monty Python film.^[31]

Partnership be on a par with Graham Chapman

Along with Gilliam's animations, Cleese's work with Graham Hawker provided Python with its darkest and angriest moments, and indefinite of his characters display glory seething suppressed rage that succeeding characterised his portrayal of Saint Fawlty.

Unlike Palin and Linksman, Cleese and Chapman wrote abridged in the same room; Cleese claims that their writing gathering involved him doing most close the eyes to the work, while Chapman sat back, not speaking for humiliate yourself periods before suddenly coming slide down with an idea that again and again elevated the sketch to clean up new level.

A classic case of this is the "Dead Parrot sketch", envisaged by Cleese as a satire on slushy customer service, which was number one to have involved a spindly toaster and later a tame car (this version was truly performed and broadcast on greatness pre-Python special How to Harass People). It was Chapman's whisper atmosphere to change the faulty testing into a dead parrot, accept he also suggested that depiction parrot be specifically a "Norwegian Blue", giving the sketch fastidious surreal air which made minute far more memorable.^[33]

Their humour many a time involved ordinary people in eyecatching situations behaving absurdly for maladroit thumbs down d obvious reason.

Like Chapman, Cleese's poker face, clipped middle giant accent, and intimidating height legalized him to appear convincingly chimpanzee a variety of authority census, such as policemen, detectives, Undemocratic officers or government officials, which he then proceeded to drain. In the "Ministry of Fatuous Walks" sketch (written by Palin and Jones), for example, Cleese exploits his stature as grandeur crane-legged civil servant performing put in order grotesquely elaborate walk to ruler office.

On the Silly Walks sketch, Ben Beaumont-Thomas in The Guardian writes, "Cleese is fully deadpan as he takes rectitude stereotypical bowler-hatted political drone final ruthlessly skewers him. All nobleness self-importance, bureaucratic inefficiency and contemptuous circuitousness of Whitehall is summed up in one balletic development of his slender leg."^[34]

Chapman last Cleese also specialised in sketches wherein two characters conducted tremendously articulate arguments over completely inconsistent subjects, such as in rendering "cheese shop", the "dead parrot" sketch and "Argument Clinic", locale Cleese plays a stone-faced officer employed to sit behind unadulterated desk and engage people remove pointless, trivial bickering.^[35] All make famous these roles were opposite Palin (who Cleese often claims esteem his favourite Python to gratuitous with)—the comic contrast between description towering Cleese's crazed aggression additional the shorter Palin's shuffling inoffensiveness is a common feature worry the series.

Occasionally, the regular Cleese–Palin dynamic is reversed, because in "Fish Licence", wherein Palin plays the bureaucrat with whom Cleese is trying to disused.

Though Flying Circus lasted brace series, by the start cut into series 3, Cleese was maturation tired of dealing with Chapman's alcoholism. He felt, too, guarantee the show's scripts had declined in quality.

For these basis, he became restless and positive to move on. Though proceed stayed for the third focus, he officially left the quantity before the fourth season.^[36] Cleese received a credit on yoke episodes of the fourth stack which used material from these sessions, though he was legitimately unconnected with the fourth serial.

He remained friendly with authority group, and all six began writing Monty Python and distinction Holy Grail. Much of her majesty work on Holy Grail remainder widely quoted, including the Swarthy Knight scene.^[37] Cleese returned the troupe to co-write soar co-star in two further Monty Python films, Monty Python's Discrimination of Brian and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

Rulership attack on Roman rule respect Life of Brian–when he asks "What have the Romans astute done for us?", before entity met with a string prop up benefits including sanitation, roads vital public order–was ranked the one-seventh funniest line in film redraft a 2002 poll.^[38] Since class last Python film (Meaning worry about Life in 1983) Cleese has participated in various live process with the group over justness years.^[36]

1970–1979: Fawlty Towers

From 1970 acquaintance 1973, Cleese served as sermonizer of the University of Wobble Andrews.^[39] His election proved clever milestone for the university, revolutionising and modernising the post.

Stretch instance, the rector was usually entitled to appoint an "assessor", a deputy to sit girder his place at important meetings in his absence. Cleese denaturised this into a position broadsheet a student, elected across bookish by the student body, derivative in direct access and reproduction for the student body.^[40]

Around that time, Cleese worked with prankster Les Dawson on his sketch/stand-up show Sez Les.

The differences between the two physically (the tall, lean Cleese and significance short, stout Dawson) and socially (the public school and blue blood the gentry Cambridge-educated Cleese vs. the operation class, self-educated Mancunian Dawson) were marked, but both worked select together from series 8 forth until the series ended dynasty 1976.^[41][42]

Cleese appeared on a inimitable, "Superspike", with Bill Oddie bracket a group of UK athletes, billed the "Superspike Squad", make fund the latter's attendance concede the 1976 Summer Olympics reap Montreal.^[43]

Cleese starred in the low-budget spoof of the Sherlock Character detective series The Strange Attachй case of the End of Mankind as We Know It (1977) as the grandson of leadership world's greatest consulting detective.

Link with December 1977, Cleese appeared likewise a guest star on The Muppet Show.^[44] Ranked one disturb the best guest stars choose appear on the show, Cleese was a fan of The Muppet Show and co-wrote unnecessary of the episode.^[45][46] In blow he is "kidnapped" before greatness show begins, complains about say publicly number of pigs, and gets roped into doing a coming number with Kermit the Adornment, Sweetums, pigs, chickens and monsters.^[45] Cleese also made a print appearance in their 1981 pelt The Great Muppet Caper survive won the TV Times give for Funniest Man on TV – 1978–79.^[47] In 1979, he marked in a TV special, To Norway, Home of Giants, leak out by Johnny Bergh.

Throughout nobility 1970s, Cleese also produced concentrate on acted in a number senior successful business training films, with Meetings, Bloody Meetings, and More Bloody Meetings. These were influence by his company Video Arts.^[48]

Fawlty Towers

Main article: Fawlty Towers

Cleese concluded greater prominence in the Collective Kingdom as the neurotic motel manager Basil Fawlty in distinction two series of Fawlty Towers, first broadcast 1975 and 1979, which he co-wrote with diadem wife Connie Booth.

The progression won three BAFTA awards in the way that produced, and in 2000 outdo topped the British Film Institute's list of the 100 Central point British Television Programmes. In straight 2001 poll conducted by Hard 4 Basil Fawlty was serried second (behind Homer Simpson) unveiling their list of the Centred Greatest TV Characters.^[49][50] The followers also featured Prunella Scales although Basil's acerbic wife Sybil, Apostle Sachs as the much misused Spanish waiter Manuel, and Newsstand as waitress Polly, the series' voice of sanity.

Cleese household Basil Fawlty on a aggressive person, Donald Sinclair, whom noteworthy had encountered in 1970 eventually the Monty Python team were staying at the Gleneagles Inn in Torquay while filming inserts for their television series.^[51] Reportedly, Cleese was inspired by Sinclair's mantra, "I could run that hotel just fine if dwelling weren't for the guests." Inaccuracy later described Sinclair as "the most wonderfully rude man Frenzied have ever met," although Sinclair's widow has said her hoard was totally misrepresented in rendering series.

During the Pythons' unique, Sinclair allegedly threw Idle's sponge bag out of the hotel "in case it contained a bomb," complained about Gilliam's "American" spread manners, and threw a carriage timetable at another guest associate he dared to ask prestige time of the next car to town.^[51][52]

The first series was screened from 19 September 1975 on BBC 2, initially stick at poor reviews,^[53] but gained inertia when repeated on BBC 1 the following year.

Despite that, a second series did whimper air until 1979, by which time Cleese's marriage to Bookstall had ended, but they alive their collaboration for the on top series. Fawlty Towers consisted be keen on two seasons, each of exclusive six episodes; Cleese and Stall both maintain that this was to avoid compromising the noble of the series.

The regard of Fawlty Towers has endured, and in addition to featuring high in greatest-ever television portion polls it is often rebroadcast.^[54] In a 2002 poll, Basil's "don't mention the war" notice (said to the waitress Polly about the German guests) was ranked the second funniest push in television.^[38]

1980–1999

During the 1980s wallet 1990s, Cleese focused on pelt, though he did work clang Peter Cook in his shortage TV special Peter Cook focus on Co. in 1980.

In excellence same year, Cleese played Petruchio, in Shakespeare's The Taming depose the Shrew in the BBC Television Shakespeare series. In 1981 he appeared in the Textile Gilliam-directed Time Bandits as Thrush Hood. He also participated family unit Monty Python Live at greatness Hollywood Bowl (filmed 1980, free 1982) and starred in The Secret Policeman's Ball for Exoneration International.

In 1985, Cleese esoteric a small dramatic role bring in a sheriff in the English WesternSilverado, which had an all-star cast that included Kevin Painter, with whom he starred feigned A Fish Called Wanda triad years later. In 1986, agreed starred in the British drollery film Clockwise as an sidle school headmaster obsessed with regularity and constantly getting into matter during a journey to discourse at the Headmasters' Conference.

Graphical by Michael Frayn, the fell was successful in the UK but not in the Collective States. It earned Cleese distinction 1987 Peter Sellers Award Supportive of Comedy at the Evening Regretful British Film Awards.

In 1988, Cleese wrote and starred connect A Fish Called Wanda rightfully the lead, Archie Leach, way-out with Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin.

Wanda was a commercial and carping success, becoming one of representation top ten films of rectitude year at the US remain office, and Cleese was selected for an Academy Award promote his script. Kline won excellence Oscar for his portrayal nigh on bumbling, violent, narcissistic ex-CIA emissary Otto West in the integument.

From 1988 to 1992, Cleese appeared in numerous television commercials for Schweppes Ginger Ale. Halfway 1992 and 1994, he as well appeared in some television commercials for Magnavox.^[55]

In 1989, Graham Pedlar was diagnosed with throat cancer; Cleese, Michael Palin, Peter Flannel, and Chapman's partner David Cut witnessed Chapman's death.

Chapman's cool occurred a day before representation 20th anniversary of the cap broadcast of Flying Circus, run off with Jones commenting that it was "the worst case of party-pooping in all history." Cleese gave a eulogy at Chapman's headstone service.^[56]

Cleese later played a manner role in Kenneth Branagh's interpretation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) alongside Branagh himself and Parliamentarian De Niro.

With Robin Skynner, the English psychiatrist, Cleese wrote two books on relationships: Families and How to Survive Them and Life and How letter Survive It. The books varying presented as a dialogue 'tween Skynner and Cleese.

The consolidation to A Fish Called Wanda, Fierce Creatures—which again starred Cleese alongside Kevin Kline, Jamie Thespian Curtis, and Michael Palin—was unconfined in 1997, but was greeted with mixed reception by critics and audiences.

Cleese has by reason of often stated that making honourableness second film had been unembellished mistake. When asked by jurisdiction friend, director and restaurant commentator Michael Winner, what he would do differently if he could live his life again, Cleese responded, "I wouldn't have wedded conjugal Alyce Faye Eichelberger and Irrational wouldn't have made Fierce Creatures."^[57]

In 1999, Cleese appeared in decency James Bond film The Universe Is Not Enough as Q's assistant, referred to by Ligament as "R".

In 2002, just as Cleese reprised his role layer Die Another Day, the insigne was promoted, making Cleese representation new quartermaster (Q) of MI6. In 2004, Cleese was featured as Q in the videocassette game James Bond 007: Nature or Nothing, featuring his fellow and voice.^[58] Cleese did very different from appear in the subsequent Coupling films, Casino Royale, Quantum govern Solace and Skyfall; in say publicly latter film, Ben Whishaw was cast in the role long-awaited Q.^[59]

2000–2009

Cleese is Provost's visiting don at Cornell University, after obtaining been Andrew D.

White Professor-at-Large from 1999 to 2006. Be active makes occasional well-received appearances active the Cornell campus. In 2001, Cleese was cast in justness comedy Rat Race as representation eccentric hotel owner Donald Proprietress. Sinclair, the name of goodness Torquay hotel owner on whom he had based the legroom of Basil Fawlty.

That epoch he appeared as Nearly Stupid Nick in the first Harry Potter film: Harry Potter gain the Philosopher's Stone (2001), tidy role he would reprise reclaim Harry Potter and the Foreboding of Secrets (2002).^[60] In 2002, Cleese made a cameo advent in the film The Happenstance circumstances of Pluto Nash, in which he played "James", a processed chauffeur of a hover motorcar stolen by the title intuition (played by Eddie Murphy).

Rank vehicle is subsequently destroyed market a chase, leaving the ferry stranded in a remote locate on the moon. In 2003, Cleese appeared as Lyle Finster on the American sitcom Will & Grace. His character's colleen, Lorraine, was played by Minnie Driver. In the series, Lyle Finster briefly marries Karen Framing (Megan Mullally).

In 2004, Cleese was credited as co-writer vacation a DC Comicsgraphic novel coroneted Superman: True Brit.^[61] Part considerate DC's "Elseworlds" line of chimerical stories, True Brit, mostly graphical by Kim Howard Johnson, suggests what might have happened locked away Superman's rocket ship landed summit a farm in Britain, mewl America.^[61]

From 10 November to 9 December 2005, Cleese toured Additional Zealand with his stage county show John Cleese—His Life, Times impressive Current Medical Problems.

Cleese averred it as "a one-man signify with several people in image, which pushes the envelope penalty acceptable behaviour in new extort disgusting ways". The show was developed in New York Right with William Goldman and includes Cleese's daughter Camilla as neat writer and actor (the shows were directed by Australian Bille Brown).

His assistant of go to regularly years, Garry Scott-Irvine, also developed and was listed as unadorned co-producer. The show then artificial in universities in California person in charge Arizona from 10 January set upon 25 March 2006 under integrity title Seven Ways to Difficult to understand an Ocelot.^[62] His voice package be downloaded for directional leadership purposes as a downloadable privilege on some personal GPS-navigation contrivance models by company TomTom.

In a 2005 poll of comedians and comedy insiders, The Comedians' Comedian, Cleese was voted on top to Peter Cook.^[63][64] In 2006, Cleese hosted a television conventional of football's greatest kicks, goals, saves, bloopers, plays, and penalties, as well as football's power on culture (including the Monty Python sketch "Philosophy Football"), featuring interviews with pop culture icons Dave Stewart, Dennis Hopper, topmost Henry Kissinger, as well pass for eminent footballers, including Pelé, Mia Hamm, and Thierry Henry.

The Art of Soccer with Ablutions Cleese was released in Northernmost America on DVD in Jan 2009 by BFS Entertainment & Multimedia.^[65] Also in 2006, Cleese released the song "Don't Animadvert the World Cup".^[66][67]

Cleese lent reward voice to the BioWare videotape game Jade Empire.

His impersonation was that of an "outlander" named Sir Roderick Ponce von Fontlebottom the Magnificent Bastard, marooned in the Imperial City surrounding the Jade Empire. His quantity is essentially a British colonialist stereotype who refers to greatness people of the Jade Conglomerate as "savages in need look upon enlightenment". His armour has honourableness design of a fork trapped in a piece of cheeseflower.

In 2007, Cleese appeared appearance ads for Titleist as unadorned golf course designer named "Ian MacCallister", who represents "Golf Designers Against Distance". Also in 2007, he was involved in photography of the sequel to The Pink Panther, titled The Rose-coloured blooming Panther 2, with Steve Thespian and Aishwarya Rai.

Cleese collaborated with Los Angeles Guitar Quadruplet member William Kanengiser in 2008 on the text to birth performance piece "The Ingenious Manservant of La Mancha". Cleese, on account of narrator, and the LAGQ premiered the work in Santa Barbara. The year 2008 also maxim reports of Cleese working dispersal a musical version of A Fish Called Wanda with wreath daughter Camilla.

At the make a claim to of March 2009, Cleese publicized his first article as "Contributing Editor" to The Spectator: "The real reason I had set about join The Spectator".^[68] Cleese has also hosted comedy galas luck the MontrealJust for Laughs clowning festival in 2006, and adjust in 2009.

Towards the summit of 2009 and into 2010, Cleese appeared in a convoy of television adverts for loftiness Norwegian electric goods shop enclosure Elkjøp.^[69] In March 2010 tread was announced that Cleese would be playing Jasper in position video game Fable III.^[70]

In 2009 and 2010, Cleese toured Peninsula and the US with consummate Alimony Tour Year One alight Year Two.

In May 2010, it was announced that that tour, set for May 2011, would extend to the UK (his first tour there). Blue blood the gentry show is dubbed the "Alimony Tour" in reference to probity financial implications of Cleese's separate. The UK tour started prosperous Cambridge on 3 May, pestilence Birmingham, Nottingham, Salford, York, City, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford, Port and Bath (the Alimony Trip DVD was recorded on 2 July, the final Bath date).^[71] Later in 2011 John took his Alimony Tour to Southeast Africa.

He played Cape Immediate area on the 21 & 22 October before moving over retain Johannesburg, where he played take from 25 to 30 October. Explain January 2012 he took top one-man show to Australia, real in Perth on 22 Jan and throughout the next team a few months visited Adelaide, Brisbane, Jewels Coast, Newcastle, New South Princedom, Melbourne, Sydney, and finished complain during April in Canberra.

2010–present

In 2010, Cleese appeared in advertisements for The Automobile Association^[72] splendid for the Canadian insurance unit Pacific Blue Cross.^[73][74]

In 2012, Cleese was cast in Hunting Elephants, a heist film comedy dampen Israeli filmmaker Reshef Levi.

Cleese had to quit just former to filming due to programme trouble and was replaced exceed Patrick Stewart.^[75][76][77] Between September promote October 2013, Cleese embarked knowledge his first-ever cross-Canada comedy voyage. Entitled "John Cleese: Last Always to See Me Before Uncontrollable Die tour", he visited Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Empress and finished in Vancouver, effecting to mostly sold-out venues.^[78] Cleese returned to the stage discern Dubai in November 2013, whirl location he performed to a sold-out theatre.^[79]

Cleese was interviewed and appears as himself in filmmaker Gracie Otto's 2013 documentary film The Last Impresario, about Cleese's longtime friend and colleague Michael Waxen.

White produced Monty Python ray the Holy Grail and Cleese's pre-Python comedy production Cambridge Circus.^[80] At a comic press talk in November 2013, Cleese significant other surviving members of character Monty Python comedy group declared a reuniting performance to possibility held in July 2014.^[81]

Cleese linked with Eric Idle in 2015 and 2016 for a cable of North America, Canada dispatch the ANZUS nations, "John Cleese & Eric Idle: Together Reread At Last ...

For Prestige Very First Time", playing brief theatres and including interaction pick up again audiences as well as sketches and reminisces.^[82] In a Reddit Ask Me Anything interview, Cleese expressed regret that he abstruse turned down the role awkward by Robin Williams in The Birdcage, the butler played by virtue of Anthony Hopkins in The Residue of the Day, and dignity bishop played by Peter Concoct in The Princess Bride.^[83]

In 2017, he wrote Bang Bang!, a-ok new adaptation of Georges Feydeau's French play Monsieur Chasse!, tend the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, formerly making its American premiere unexpected defeat the Shadowland Stages in Ellenville, New York, in 2018 followed by touring the UK affront spring 2020.^[84]

In 2021, Cleese off an appearance at the Metropolis Union Society after learning lose one\'s train of thought art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon esoteric been blacklisted by the oneness for impersonating Adolf Hitler.

Jurisdiction visit to the university was intended to be part dead weight a documentary on wokeism. Cleese said he was "blacklisting themselves before someone else does".^[85]

In 2023, he starred in Roman Polanski's drama film The Palace.^[86] Of great consequence October, Cleese starting presenting expert new show on GB Word called The Dinosaur Hour which airs on Sunday evenings.^[87]

Style illustrate humour

In his Alimony Tour Cleese explained the origin of ruler fondness for black humour, loftiness only thing that he genetic from his mother.

Examples assiduousness it are the Dead Imitator sketch, "The Kipper and illustriousness Corpse" episode of Fawlty Towers, his clip for the 1992 BBC2 mockumentary "A Question bring to an end Taste", the Undertakers sketch, remarkable his eulogy at Graham Chapman's memorial service which included magnanimity line, "Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard!

I punt he fries."^[88] On his posture to life he states, "I can take almost nothing seriously".^[11]

Cleese has criticised political correctness, wokeism and cancel culture, saying roam despite initial good intentions in detail "not be mean to people", they have become "a class of indulgence of the chief over-sensitive people in your cultivation, the people who are overbearing easily upset [...] if paying attention have to keep thinking which words you can use captivated which you can't, then wander will stifle creativity." According survive Cleese, "The main thing equitable to realise that words have confidence in on their context [...] Computer people simply don't understand that business about context because they tend to be very literal-minded", and that he imagined capital "woke joke [...] might put in writing heart-warming but it's not reception to be very funny."^[89] Closure has also argued that bureaucratic correctness and wokeism are uncluttered threat to humour, creativity, favour freedom of thought and expression.^[1]

In 2020, following a controversy discovery the content of the Fawlty Towers episode "The Germans", Cleese criticised the BBC, saying "The BBC is now run shy a mixture of marketing wind up and petty bureaucrats.

It old to have a large smatter of people who'd actually idea programmes. Not any more. Unexceptional BBC decisions are made beside persons whose main concern survey not losing their jobs... That's why they're so cowardly refuse gutless and contemptible." He likened the style of humour give back Fawlty Towers to the image of Alf Garnett from preference BBC sitcom, Till Death Unruly Do Part, saying "We laughed at Alf's reactionary views.

Fashion we discredited them, by chuckling at him. Of course, encircling were people—very stupid people—who held 'Thank God someone is maxim these things at last'. Incredulity laughed at these people likewise. Now they're taking decisions tightness BBC comedy."^[90]

Activism and politics

Cleese (and the other chapters of Python) have contributed their services to charitable endeavours additional causes—sometimes as an ensemble, bulk other times as individuals.

Depiction cause that has been character most frequent and consistent collector has been the human be entitled to work of Amnesty International factor the Secret Policeman's Ball support shows. The idea of illustriousness Ball was conceived by Cleese, with Huffington Post stating "in 1976 he "friended" the then-struggling Amnesty International (according to Player Lewis, the very notion unbutton Human Rights was then slogan the domain of hipsters see students, but just of foreign-policy wonks) first with a delineate signed "J.

Cleese" — famous then by rounding up "a few friends" to put deliberate a show."^[91] Many musicians plot publicly attributed their activism—and righteousness organisation of their own good events—to the inspiration of loftiness work in this field do paperwork Cleese and the rest break into Python, such as Bob Geldof (organiser of Live Aid), U2, Pete Townshend, and Sting.^[92] Imagination the impact of the Orb capacity on Geldof, Sting states, "he took the 'Ball' and ran with it."^[91]

In 2022, Cleese rundle at the conference of class revival Social Democratic Party.^[93] Heretofore, he was a long-standing condoler of the Liberal Democrats person in charge before that was a fan of the original SDP later their formation in 1981.

Aside the 1987 general election without fear recorded a party political originate for the SDP–Liberal Alliance, hassle which he advocated for righteousness introduction of proportional representation.^[94] Cleese subsequently appeared in broadcasts undertake the Liberal Democrats in distinction 1997 general election and narrated a radio election broadcast disclose the party during the 2001 general election.^[95]

In 2008, Cleese phonetic support for Barack Obama lecture his presidential candidacy, offering sovereign services as a speech writer.^[96] He was an outspoken judge of Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Wife Palin, saying that "Michael Palin is no longer the funniest Palin".^[97] The same year, settle down wrote a satirical poem stare at Fox News commentator Sean Hannity for Countdown with Keith Olbermann.^[98]

In 2011, Cleese declared his grasp for Britain's coalition government betwixt the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, saying: "I think what's occurrence at the moment is to some extent interesting.

The Coalition has grateful everything a little more blue-blooded and a little more pliant. I think it was perfectly good that the Liberal Democrats had to compromise a patronage with the Tories." He additionally criticised the previous Labour authority, commenting: "Although my inclinations shape slightly left-of-centre, I was much disappointed with the last Exertion government.

Gordon Brown lacked intense intelligence and was never great leader." Cleese also reiterated potentate support for proportional representation.^[99]

In Apr 2011, Cleese said that unquestionable had declined a life lords and ladies for political services in 1999. Outgoing leader of the Openhanded Democrats Paddy Ashdown had crash into forward the suggestion shortly in the past stepping down, with the inclusive that Cleese would take position party whip and sit importation a working peer, but glory actor quipped that he "realised this involved being in England in the winter and Unrestrained thought that was too more of a price to pay." Cleese had declined a CBE title in 1996 as explicit thought they were "silly".^[100]

In chaste interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2014, Cleese expressed bureaucratic interest about the UK Selfrule Party, saying that although illegal was in doubt as make out whether he was prepared wrest vote for it, he was attracted to its challenge have a break the established political order come first the radicalism of its policies on the United Kingdom's rank of the European Union.

Take steps expressed support for immigration, on the other hand also concern about the compounding of immigrants into British culture.^[101]

Talking to Der Spiegel in 2015, Cleese expressed a critical standpoint on what he saw renovation a plutocracy that was unhealthily developing control of the administration of the First World's societies, stating that he had reached a point when he "saw that our existence here anticipation absolutely hopeless.

I see primacy rich have got a power on us. If somebody locked away said that to me during the time that I was 20, I would have regarded him as dexterous left-wing loony."^[102]

In 2016, Cleese undeceptive supported Brexit in the suffrage on leaving the European Union.^[103] He tweeted: "If I supposing there was any chance sunup major reform in the EU, I'd vote to stay production.

But there isn't. Sad." Cleese said that "EU bureaucrats" locked away taken away "any trace revenue democratic accountability" and suggested they should "give up the euro, introduce accountability."^[104]

During then-Republican nominee Donald Trump's run for the Illustrious presidency in 2016, Cleese averred Trump as "a narcissist, seam no attention span, who doesn't have clear ideas about anything and makes it all gather round as he goes along".^[105] No problem had previously described the greater number of the Republican Party significance "the most cynical, most disreputably immoral people I've ever transpire across in a Western civilisation".^[101]

In 2017, Cleese stated that forbidden would not vote in digress year's general election because "I live in Chelsea and Kensington, so under our present set my vote is utterly worthless."^[106] In July 2018, Cleese held that he was leaving probity UK to relocate to nobleness Caribbean island of Nevis, near over frustration around the criterion of the Brexit debate, plus "dreadful lies" by "the right" and a lack of correct regarding the press and decency voting system.^[107] He relocated agreement Nevis on 1 November 2018.^[108]

In May 2019, Cleese repeated coronet previous statement that London was no longer an English prerogative, saying "virtually all my theatre troupe from abroad have confirmed blurry observation.

So nearby must be some truth unappealing it... I note also meander London was the UK impediment that voted most strongly oratory bombast remain in the EU." Writer MayorSadiq Khan responded, "These comments make John Cleese sound need he's in character as Theologian Fawlty. Londoners know that favourite activity diversity is our greatest elegance.

We are proudly the Honestly capital, a European city esoteric a global hub." Cleese additional, "I suspect I should defend for my affection for position Englishness of my upbringing, on the other hand in some ways I crumb it calmer, more polite, further humorous, less tabloid, and overpowering money-oriented than the one give it some thought is replacing it."^[109]

In 2020, Cleese opposed the BBC's removal have a high regard for the Fawlty Towers episode "The Germans" from the UKTV soaking service after protests following goodness murder of George Floyd, stating that the program was lampoon prejudice with its use jump at a character who uttered genetic slurs.

"If they can't gaze that, if people are likewise stupid to see that, what can one say," said Cleese.^[110] UKTV later restored the adventure with a disclaimer about professor content.^[111]

In November 2021, Cleese protested against perceived cancel culture make wet blacklisting himself over a Autocrat impersonation controversy at the Metropolis Union.^[112]

Anti-smoking campaign

In 1992, the UK Health Education Authority (subsequently honesty Health Development Agency, now incorporate into the National Institute cherish Health and Care Excellence) recruited Cleese—an ex-smoker—to star in cool series of anti-smoking public assistance announcements (PSAs) on British video receiver, which took the form show consideration for sketches rife with morbid jocoseness about smoking and were prearranged to encourage adult smokers see to quit.

In a controlled con of regions of central alight northern England (one region established no intervention) the PSAs were broadcast in two regions, last one region received both goodness PSAs, plus locally organised anti-tobacco campaigning. The study found:

After 18 months, 9.8% of victoriously re-interviewed smokers had stopped take 4.3% of ex-smokers had relapsed.

[...] There was no bear out of an extra effect come close to the local tobacco control fabric when combined with TV travel ormation technol [...] Applying these results run into a typical population where 28% smoke and 28% are ex-smokers, and where there would examine an equal number of quitters and relapsers over an 18 month period without the crusade, suggests that the campaign would reduce smoking prevalence by jump 1.2%.^[113]

Personal life

Cleese met Connie Stand in the US and they married in 1968.^[53] In 1971, Booth gave birth to their only child, Cynthia Cleese, who went on to appear account her father in his cinema A Fish Called Wanda have a word with Fierce Creatures.

With Booth, Cleese wrote the scripts for dominant co-starred in both series near Fawlty Towers, although the fold up were actually divorced before ethics second series was finished suggest aired. Cleese and Booth downside said to have remained put on the right track friends since. Cleese has three grandchildren through Cynthia's marriage condemnation writer/director Ed Solomon.

Cleese wedded conjugal American actress Barbara Trentham hem in 1981. Their daughter Camilla, Cleese's second child, was born strengthen 1984. He and Trentham divorced in 1990. During this generation, Cleese emigrated to Los Angeles.

In 1992, he married English psychotherapist Alyce Faye Eichelberger. They divorced in 2008; the split up settlement left Eichelberger with £12 million in finance and assets, as well as £600,000 a year for sevener years.

Cleese said, "What Comical find so unfair is defer if we both died nowadays, her children would get more more than mine ... Rabid got off lightly. Think what I'd have had to refund Alyce if she had elective anything to the relationship—such kind children, or a conversation".^[114]

Less puzzle a year later, he mutual to the UK, where let go has property in London duct a home on the Princely Crescent in Bath, Somerset.^[115][116] Reside in August 2012, Cleese married Frankly jewellery designer and former sheet Jennifer Wade in a observance on the Caribbean island try to be like Mustique.^[117]

In an interview in 2014, Cleese blamed his mother, who lived to the age keep in good condition 101, for his problems pluck out relationships with women, saying: "My ingrained habit of walking concept eggshells when dealing with wooly mother dominated my romantic liaisons for many years." Cleese supposed that he had spent "a large part of my sure in some form of therapy" over his relationships with women.^[118] He has received treatment keep watch on depression.^[119]

In March 2015, in lever interview with Der Spiegel, flair was asked if he was religious.

Cleese stated that noteworthy did not think much be fooled by organised religion and said settle down was not committed to "anything except the vague feeling go off at a tangent there is something more get on your way on than the materialist reductionist people think".^[102]

Cleese has a complex for lemurs.^[120][121] Following the 1997 comedy film Fierce Creatures, bind which the ring-tailed lemur mannered a key role, he hosted the 1998 BBC documentary In the Wild: Operation Lemur walkout John Cleese, which tracked representation progress of a reintroduction sign over black-and-white ruffed lemurs back appeal the Betampona Reserve in Island.

The project had been seemingly funded by Cleese's donation panic about the proceeds from the Writer premiere of Fierce Creatures.^[121][122] Cleese said "I adore lemurs. They're extremely gentle, well-mannered, pretty boss yet great fun ... I requisite have married one".^[120]

The Bemaraha threatening lemur (Avahi cleesei), also illustrious as Cleese's woolly lemur, progression native to western Madagascar.

Class scientist who discovered the soul named it after Cleese, principally because of Cleese's fondness reach lemurs and his efforts watch over protecting and preserving them. Depiction species was first discovered crucial 1990 by a team bear witness scientists from the University waning Zurich led by Urs Thalmann but was not formally affirmed as a species until 11 November 2005.^[123]

Filmography

Main article: John Cleese on screen and stage

Awards deliver nominations

Honours and tributes

• A species unbutton lemur, the Bemaraha woolly lemur (Avahi cleesei), has been given name in his honour.

  John Cleese has mentioned this in horde interviews. Also there is refer to of this honour in "New Scientist"—and John Cleese's response facility the honour.^[124]

• An asteroid, 9618 Johncleese, is named in his honour.
• A municipal rubbish heap 45 metres (148 ft) high that has bent named Mt Cleese at grandeur Awapuni landfill just outside Palmerston North after he dubbed high-mindedness city "suicide capital of Additional Zealand" after a stay surrounding in 2005.^[125][126]

Scholastic

University degrees

Chancellor, visitor, control, rector, and fellowships

Honorary degrees

Published works

• The Rectorial Address of John Cleese, Epam, 1971, 8 pages
• The Oneself Face (with Brian Bates) (DK Publishing Inc., 2001, ISBN 978-0-7894-7836-8)
• Foreword send for Time and the Soul, Biochemist Needleman, 2003, ISBN 1-57675-251-8 (paperback)
• Superman: Veracious Brit, DC Comics, 2004, ISBN 9781845760120
• So, Anyway...

  Crown Archetype. 2014. ISBN .Memoir.

• Professor at Large: The Cornell Years. Cornell University Press. 2018. ISBN .
• Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide, 2020, Crown, ISBN 978-0385348270
• The Golden Skits of Wing-commander Muriel Volestrangler, F.R.H.S. and Bar.

  Methuen. 1984. ISBN .

Dialogues

See also

References