Highest rated as cast or director
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
Acted in 155
2020s
- 2025
John Cleese Packs It In
Movie
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
Movie
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius
Interviewee
- 2020
Why there is no hope
Actor · 1 episode
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
Hold the Sunset
Phil · 12 episodes
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
Movie
- 2016
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2015
- 2014
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2013
Spud 2: The Madness Continues
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
- 2012
- 2011
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live
Movie
- 2010
Spud
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2006
L'Entente cordiale
Lord Conrad
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best
Various Roles (archive footage)
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
- 2005
Complete Guide to Guys
Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
- 2004
- 2003
Canterbury Tales
Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited) · 1 episode
- 2002
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
Red Lansing · 6 episodes
- 2001
The Human Face
Presenter · 4 episodes
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese
Kendisi
- 2000
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
The Giant Alien (voice)
Quantum Project
Alexander Pentcho
Isn't She Great
Henry Marcus
Rockstar
Interviewer in lounge
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
The Wind in the Willows
Mr. Toad's Lawyer
E! True Hollywood Story
TV
- 1994
- 1993
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
Movie
Splitting Heirs
Raoul P. Shadgrind
- 1992
Funny Business
TV
- 1991
- 1990
Bullseye!
Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
1980s
- 1989
Quark the Dragon Slayer
Movie
The Big Picture
Bartender
Bosses From Hell
Brian
Customers From Hell
Brian
Communicators From Hell
Brian
Employees From Hell
Brian
Customer Service From Hell
Movie
Teams from Hell
Movie
Sales People from Hell
Movie
Colleagues From Hell
Movie
Interviewers From Hell
Movie
- 1988
- 1987
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Jim Cleese
- 1986
- 1985
- 1983
Privates on Parade
Major Giles Flack
- 1982
Whoops Apocalypse
Lacrobat · 3 episodes
- 1981
- 1980
The Queen Special
Man in Bar
The Taming of the Shrew
Petruchio
1970s
- 1979
Doctor Who: City of Death
Art Gallery Visitor
Golden Gordon
Passerby
...To Norway, Home of Giants!
Norman Fearless
Away from It All
Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
- 1978
- 1977
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Sherlock Holmes
Three Piece Suite
Kevin (segment "Every Day in Every Way") · 1 episode
Three Piece Suite
Kevin
- 1976
Ripping Yarns
TV
Meetings, Bloody Meetings
Movie
- 1975
More Awkward Customers
Brian
Awkward Customers
Brian
- 1974
Romance with a Double Bass
Smychkov
- 1973
The Goodies and the Beanstalk
The Genie
Is This a Record?
Various
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Sherlock Holmes
The Love Ban
Contraceptives Lecturer
- 1972
The Philosophers' Football Match
Archimedes
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
Various Characters · 2 episodes
Who Sold You This, Then?
Movie
- 1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
Movie
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
The Statue
Harry
- 1970
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Pumer
Monty Python: Who's There?
Timothy
1960s
- 1969
The Magic Christian
Director in Sotheby's
The Best House in London
Jones (uncredited)
- 1968
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
Post Office Clerk
Interlude
Television public relations man
- 1967
At Last the 1948 Show
TV
- 1963
- 1961
No release date
How to Make Her Cheat
Terry
Wrote 33
2020s
- 2025
John Cleese Packs It In
Writer
Fawlty Towers: The Play
Writer, Adaptation
- 2020
2010s
- 2014
- 2013
2000s
- 2001
Zum letzten Kliff
Original Story
The Human Face
Writer
1990s
- 1997
1980s
- 1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Writer
- 1988
- 1983
- 1982
1970s
- 1979
Away from It All
Writer
- 1977
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It
Screenplay
The Mermaid Frolics
Writer
- 1975
More Awkward Customers
Writer
Awkward Customers
Writer
- 1974
Romance with a Double Bass
Adaptation
- 1972
Rentadick
Writer
- 1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
Writer
And Now for Something Completely Different
Screenplay
Six Dates with Barker
Writer
- 1970
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Writer
1960s
- 1969
How to Irritate People
Writer
- 1967
At Last the 1948 Show
Writer
- 1966
- 1962
No release date
Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python
Writer
Created 7
2020s
- 2023
The Dinosaur Hour
Creator
- 2021
2000s
- 2006
Monty Python's Personal Best
Creator
1970s
- 1976
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Creator
- 1975
1960s
- 1967
At Last the 1948 Show
Creator
No release date
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Creator
Other crew 5
2000s
- 2001
Zum letzten Kliff
Creative Consultant
1970s
- 1978
Snavely
Creator
- 1973
Is This a Record?
Additional Writing
- 1972
Who Sold You This, Then?
Script
1960s
- 1969
The Magic Christian
Additional Writing
Produced 5
1990s
- 1997
1980s
- 1988
- 1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Producer
1970s
- 1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Producer
Directed 3
1980s
- 1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Assistant Director
1970s
- 1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Stage Director
Away from It All
Director
Appearances134
2020s
- 2026
Joe & David's Magical Sitcom Tour
Self · 1 episode
Soccer's American Dream
Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
- 2025
Fawlty Towers: The Play
Self
- 2024
The Roast of John Cleese
Self
- 2023
The Dinosaur Hour
Self · 1 episode
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Self
- 2022
- 2021
Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Self
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- 2020
Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films of All Time
Self · 1 episode
2010s
- 2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Self (archive footage)
An Accidental Studio
Self (archive footage)
- 2018
- 2016
John Bishop: In Conversation with...
Self · 1 episode
- 2015
Behind Over the Garden Wall
Self
- 2014
A Life on Screen
Self · 1 episode
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Self (archive footage) · 5 episodes
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self
The Last Impresario
Self
- 2013
The Meaning of Monty Python
Self
- 2012
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Self
Anatomy of a Liar
Self
- 2011
The Undefeated
Self (archive footage)
- 2010
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
Self
2000s
- 2009
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Self · 6 episodes
Fawlty Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
Self / Basil Fawlty
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self / Basil Fawlty
- 2008
We Are Most Amused
Self - Presenter
Gaybo Laughs Back
Self
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self
The Seventh Python
Self
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Self
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
- 2007
Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy
Self · 3 episodes
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy
Self · 1 episode
Movie Connections
Self · 1 episode
The Secret Life of Brian
Self
What the Pythons Did Next...
Self (archive footage)
- 2006
Aud go'hjerta
Self (archive footage)
Monty Python's Personal Best
Self / Various Characters · 6 episodes
- 2005
Return of the Goodies
Himself
Fawlty Towers Revisited
Himself
The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)
- 2004
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self
The Making of Shrek 2
Self
Wine for the Confused
Self
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Self - Nearly Headless Nick
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
Self (archive footage)
- 2003
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Self
Stupidity
Self
- 2002
Best Ever Bond
Self / R
Die Another Day: From Script to Screen
Self
Mickey's House of Villains
Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
Making Rat Race
Himself
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Self
- 2001
- 2000
The Life of Python
Self
Now Pay Attention 007: A Tribute to Actor Desmond Llewelyn
Self
1990s
- 1999
The Monty Python Story
Self
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Self
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Self
30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation
Self
Mickey’s Mechanical House
Narrator (voice)
- 1998
In The Wild: Operation Lemur With John Cleese
Self
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Self
- 1996
Spike
Self
- 1995
MADtv
Self · 2 episodes
- 1994
The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller
Self · 1 episode
- 1991
Amnesty International's Big 30
Self
Creativity in Management
Self
- 1990
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Self
Life of Python
Himself / Various Roles (also archive footage)
1980s
- 1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
The Movie Life of George
Self
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self
- 1988
This Morning
Self · 1 episode
- 1987
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
- 1985
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
Self
- 1983
Group Madness
Self
- 1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self - Various Roles
- 1981
- 1980
Peter Cook & Co.
Himself / Various Characters
1970s
- 1979
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Himself - Various Roles
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Self
- 1978
Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian”
Self
- 1977
The Mermaid Frolics
Self- Various roles
- 1976
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Self
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self · 15 episodes
- 1975
- 1974
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Self
- 1973
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Narrator / Pie Face 2
- 1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1960s
- 1969
Sez Les
self · 7 episodes
How to Irritate People
Himself - Various
- 1967
- 1962
Thanked in the credits1
2020s
- 2020