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Michael Palin

Michael Palin

Acting

Born: May 5, 1943Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK

Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. Palin wrote most of his comedic material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", and "The Spanish Inquisition". Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and, most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.

Known For
Filmography
The Magic Faraway Tree

The Magic Faraway Tree

2026
Joke

Joke

2026
When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

Self

2025
Innes Lloyd: The Producer

Innes Lloyd: The Producer

Self

2025
The Academy of Armando

The Academy of Armando

Self

2025
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

Self

2024

How To Make It In Comedy

2024
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

Self

2023
The Fringe, Fame and Me

The Fringe, Fame and Me

Self

2022
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

Self (archive footage)(uncredited)

2021
Jeepers Creepers

Jeepers Creepers

Newscaster (voice)

2020

Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

Self

2020
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

Self

2020
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

Self (archive footage)

2019
An Accidental Studio

An Accidental Studio

Self

2019
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

Self

2019
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

2018
The Death of Stalin

The Death of Stalin

Vyacheslav Molotov

2017
Generation '66

Generation '66

2016
Attenborough at 90

Attenborough at 90

Self

2016
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

Self

2015
Absolutely Anything

Absolutely Anything

Kindly Alien (voice)

2015
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

Self

2014
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

Self

2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

Self

2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly)

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

Self, others

2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

Self

2014
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

Self

2014
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

2014
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

Self

2014
New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

Self

2014
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

Self

2013
The Meaning of Monty Python

The Meaning of Monty Python

Self

2013
The Wipers Times

The Wipers Times

General Mitford

2013
Frost on Sketch Shows

Frost on Sketch Shows

Self

2013
Anatomy of a Liar

Anatomy of a Liar

Self

2012
Produced by George Martin

Produced by George Martin

Self

2012
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

Various (voice)

2012
The Secret Policeman's Ball

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Self

2012
Arthur Christmas

Arthur Christmas

Ernie Clicker (voice)

2011
Making Qi

Making Qi

Self

2011

The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema

Self

2011
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

2010
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)

Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)

Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis

2010
Monty Python: Almost the Truth  (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release

Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release

Self

2010
Monty Python in Aberystwyth

Monty Python in Aberystwyth

Self

2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

Self

2009
Around the World in 20 Years

Around the World in 20 Years

Self

2008
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

Presenter

2008
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'

Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'

Self

2008
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'

Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'

Self

2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

Self

2008
The Seventh Python

The Seventh Python

Self

2008
What Is Brazil?

What Is Brazil?

Self

2008
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

Self

2008

Life Of Brian Screenplay

Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper

2008
Monty Python Conquers America

Monty Python Conquers America

Self

2008
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

Gariiiiiii (voice)

2007
Hitler: The Comedy Years

Hitler: The Comedy Years

Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)

2007
The Secret Life of Brian

The Secret Life of Brian

Self

2007
What the Pythons Did Next...

What the Pythons Did Next...

Self (archive footage)

2007
50 Films to See Before You Die

50 Films to See Before You Die

Self

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best

Various Characters

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best

Various Characters

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best

Various Characters

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best

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

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

Various Characters

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best

Various Characters

2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

Various Characters

2006
The Roots of Monty Python

The Roots of Monty Python

Self (archive footage)

2005
John Peel's Record Box

John Peel's Record Box

Self

2005
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

Host

2005
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

Self

2004
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'

Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'

Self

2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

Self (archive footage)

2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

Self (archive footage)

2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

Self (archive footage)

2004
Concert for George

Concert for George

Self

2003
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

Self

2003
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

Narrator

2003
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television

Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television

Self - Presenter

2002
Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute

Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute

Self

2002
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

Self

2001
The Unknown Peter Sellers

The Unknown Peter Sellers

Self

2000
Monty Python: Pythonland

Monty Python: Pythonland

1999
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

Self

1999
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

Self

1999
The Monty Python Story

The Monty Python Story

Self

1999
Monty Python: Live at Aspen

Monty Python: Live at Aspen

Self

1998
Palin on Redpath

Palin on Redpath

Self - Presenter

1997
Fierce Creatures

Fierce Creatures

Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone

1997
The Willows in Winter

The Willows in Winter

Rat

1996
The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

The Sun

1996
The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

Rat

1995
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

Various

1993

The First Night of Meridian

Self - Host

1993

Meridian: The First Ten Minutes

Self

1993
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

Narrator (voice)

1991
American Friends

American Friends

Rev. Francis Ashby

1991
The Witches

The Witches

Witch at Meeting (uncredited)

1990
Viz: The Documentary

Viz: The Documentary

Self

1990
Life of Python

Life of Python

Self / Various Roles

1990
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

Self / Various Characters

1989
The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin

The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin

Self

1989
The Movie Life of George

The Movie Life of George

Self

1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

Self

1989
A Fish Called Wanda

A Fish Called Wanda

Ken Pile

1988

John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

Self

1988
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

Self

1988
The Grand Knockout Tournament

The Grand Knockout Tournament

Self

1987
Comedians Do It On Stage

Comedians Do It On Stage

Self

1986
Brazil

Brazil

Jack Lint

1985
A Private Function

A Private Function

Gilbert Chilvers

1984
The Dress

The Dress

Howard

1984
Comic Roots: Michael Palin

Comic Roots: Michael Palin

1983
The Crimson Permanent Assurance

The Crimson Permanent Assurance

Workman

1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Various Roles

1983
The Missionary

The Missionary

The Reverend Charles Fortescue

1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Various Roles

1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Self - Various Roles

1982
Time Bandits

Time Bandits

Vincent

1981
The Box

The Box

(voice)

1981
The Secret Policeman's Ball

The Secret Policeman's Ball

Various Roles

1979
Roger of the Raj

Roger of the Raj

Roger

1979
Golden Gordon

Golden Gordon

Gordon Ottershaw

1979
Whinfrey's Last Case

Whinfrey's Last Case

Gerald Whinfrey

1979
Life of Brian

Life of Brian

Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus

1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

Self

1979
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

Eric Manchester

1978
The Curse of the Claw

The Curse of the Claw

Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack

1977
Across the Andes by Frog

Across the Andes by Frog

Captain Walter Snetterton

1977
Murder at Moorstones Manor

Murder at Moorstones Manor

Charles Chiddingford

1977
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

Major Errol Phipps

1977
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager

1977
The Broken Bottle

The Broken Bottle

1977
Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky

Dennis Cooper

1977
Pleasure at Her Majesty's

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

Self

1976
Tomkinson's Schooldays

Tomkinson's Schooldays

Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt

1976
Three Men in a Boat

Three Men in a Boat

Harris

1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad the Pure / Narrator / King of Swamp Castle / Brother Maynard's Brother / Leader of The Knights Who Say NI!

1975
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

Self

1974
Henry Cleans Up

Henry Cleans Up

Henry

1974
Is This a Record?

Is This a Record?

Various

1973
Monty Python In The Netherlands

Monty Python In The Netherlands

1973
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

1971
And Now for Something Completely Different

And Now for Something Completely Different

Gumby / Man with tape recorder / Phrasebook Author / Arthur Pewtey / Second self - defence student / Second Tenant / Lost His Wallet / Shrill Petrol Announcer / Milkman / Ernest Scribbler / Pet shop employee / Lumberjack / Headwaiter Gilberto / Herbert Anchovy / Blackmail Presenter / Gervais Brookhamster / Town Guild Lady

1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special

Euroshow '71: May Day Special

Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)

1971
Monty Python: Who's There?

Monty Python: Who's There?

Ken

1970
Ending It All

Ending It All

1970
How to Irritate People

How to Irritate People

Various

1969
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)

1966