John Cleese

Actor and writer, also producer and director · Born October 27, 1939 (86) · Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK

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

Biography from TMDB.

Born: October 27, 1939 (86)
From: Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
Works as: Actor and writer, also producer and director
Titles: 102 on MovieCove · 203 credits in all
Links: IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What are John Cleese's films like?

Across their 89 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy28 titles45^th

Animation19 titles36^th

Documentary13 titles76^th

Adventure10 titles52^nd

Action8 titles40^th

Drama3 titles53^rd

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight

Bonds

29%

Self

25%

Society

15%

Morality

13%

Ideas

Power

Survival

Family bonds21 Community19 Friendship16 Self-worth12 Identity15 Romantic love12 Art8 Deception10

What they feel like to watch

their average across 83 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 18 · Wry 4 · Earnest 58

Light

Tone · Weight

lightdark

Light 72 · Serious 7 · Dark 4

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

Grounded 25 · Stylized 34 · Heightened 24

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 42 · Charged 36 · Intense 5

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 43 · Shifting 28 · Whiplash 12

Funny

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 23 · Funny 52

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 31 · Even-paced 43 · Relentless 9

Casual

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 63 · Engaged 20 · Full focus 0

Easy watch

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

Easy watch 72 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 3

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 70 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

50 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 15 of 50 analyzed roles.

Mentor

15 of 50

Trickster

10 of 50

Shadow

8 of 50

Hero

4 of 50

Herald

4 of 50

Ally

4 of 50

Shapeshifter

3 of 50

Threshold guardian

2 of 50

Show the 50 roles

Tricksteras Various in Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)
Tricksteras Announcer in Monty Python's and Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
Shapeshifteras Sir Lancelot in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Heroas Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers (1975)
Heraldas John Cleese (himself) in Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)
Heroas Arthur Sherlock-Holmes in The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977)
Tricksteras Reg in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Threshold guardianas Centurion in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Shadowas Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew (1980)
Shadowas Corporate Master in Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (1983)
Heroas Brian Stimpson in Clockwise (1986)
Allyas Archie in A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Shadowas Halfdan the Black in Erik the Viking (1989)
Shadowas Cat R. Waul in An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
Tricksteras Raoul P. Shadgrind in Splitting Heirs (1993)
Mentoras Professor Waldman in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)
Mentoras Dr. Plumford in The Jungle Book (1994)
Tricksteras Jean-Bob in The Swan Princess (1994)
Heroas Rollo Lee in Fierce Creatures (1997)
Mentoras An Ape Named 'Ape' in George of the Jungle (1997)
Shadowas Mr. Mersault in The Out-of-Towners (1999)
Mentoras Henry Marcus in Isn't She Great (2000)
Shapeshifteras Albert the Magic Pudding in The Magic Pudding (2000)
Allyas Q in Die Another Day (2002)
Shadowas Charles Merchant in Scorched (2003)
Tricksteras Ape in George of the Jungle 2 (2003)
Shapeshifteras King Harold in Shrek 2 (2004)
Tricksteras Mercury in Valiant (2005)
Allyas Samuel the Sheep in Charlotte's Web (2006)
Mentoras Dr. Primkin in Man About Town (2006)
Heraldas King in Shrek the Third (2007)
Tricksteras Adolf Hitler in Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007)
Mentoras Professor Barnhardt in The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
Heraldas Dreyfus in The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Mentoras Mr Edly 'The Guv' in Spud (2010)
Tricksteras John Cleese in A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012)
Mentoras The Guv in Spud 2: The Madness Continues (2013)
Mentoras The Guv in Spud 3: Learning to Fly (2014)
Mentoras Mr. Bellwood in A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown (2015)
Allyas Phil in Hold the Sunset (2018)
Mentoras Fairy Godmother in Charming (2018)
Mentoras Donner in Elliot the Littlest Reindeer (2018)
Tricksteras Brian King in Crazy About You (2019)
Threshold guardianas Brian King in Crazy About You (2019)
Shadowas Otto Von Walrus in Arctic Dogs (2019)
Mentoras Bridwell in Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)
Mentoras John Christmas in Father Christmas Is Back (2021)
Mentoras Frank in Daddy Daughter Trip (2022)
Shadowas Archie Vainglorious in Rally Road Racers (2023)
Heraldas Dr. Auyeung in The Martini Shot (2023)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful

Absurd

Warm

Tense

Hopeful

Other

How their films linger

Feel-good52 Fun48 Hopeful22 Bittersweet20 Thought-provoking10 Wistful10

How their films end · 9 with a twist

Happy51
Bittersweet23
Tragic1
Ambiguous10
Cyclical4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Cleese's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 65 of their 102 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (26).

Also on these channels

Shout! TV5 titles, show their 5 titles on Shout! TV
Sony Pictures Core3 titles, show their 3 titles on Sony Pictures Core
Ameba1 title, show their title on Ameba
Cinemax1 title, show their title on Cinemax
Cineverse1 title, show their title on Cineverse
Dove Channel1 title, show their title on Dove Channel
Eros Now1 title, show their title on Eros Now
Howdy1 title, show their title on Howdy
Lionsgate+1 title, show their title on Lionsgate+
Marquee TV1 title, show their title on Marquee TV
MovieSphere+1 title, show their title on MovieSphere+

Subscription and free streaming for John Cleese's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

203 credits, 102 with a MovieCove page; 113 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

John Cleese Packs It In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Writer · Actor
Fawlty Towers: The Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Writer · as Self
The Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Actor
The Dinosaur Hour Extra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Show 1 episode · Actor
The Dinosaur Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Show 1 episode · Creator · as Self
The Palace(2023)
as Arthur William Dallas III
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
The Martini Shot(2023)
as Dr. Auyeung
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
Rally Road Racers(2023)
as Archie Vainglorious (voice)
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Daddy Daughter Trip(2022)
as Frank
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Clifford the Big Red Dog(2021)
as Mr. Bridwell
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
Father Christmas Is Back(2021)
as John Christmas
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)
as Interviewee
The Croods: Family Tree(2021)
Show Creator · Writer
Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows
The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee(2020)
as John
Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
The Croods: A New Age(2020)
Characters · Thanks
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Why there is no hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Show 1 episode · as Actor
Arctic Dogs(2019)
as Otto von Walrus (voice)
Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films
Crazy About You(2019)
as Brian King
Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films
Elliot the Littlest Reindeer(2018)
as Donner (voice)
Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films
Charming(2018)
as Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice)
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Hold the Sunset(2018)
Show 12 episodes · as Phil
Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
Actor
Trolls(2016)
as Roi Gristle (voice)
Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
Speechless(2016)
Show 2 episodes · as Martin
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves(2016)
as Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Albion: The Enchanted Stallion(2016)
as General Eeder
Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films
A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown(2015)
as Mr. Bellwood (voice)
Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films
Absolutely Anything(2015)
as Chief Alien (voice)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
Spud 3: Learning to Fly(2014)
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
Over the Garden Wall(2014)
Show 1 episode · as Adelaide (voice) · as Quincy Endicott (voice)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows
Monty Python Live (Mostly)(2014)
Writer · as Self, others
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Planes(2013)
as Bulldog (voice)
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Spud 2: The Madness Continues(2013)
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
The Croods(2013)
Story
Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman(2012)
as Various (voice)
Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films
God Loves Caviar(2012)
as McCormick
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
The Big Year(2011)
as Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure(2011)
as Narrator
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
Whitney(2011)
Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Grant
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows
Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
Show 40 episodes · as Narrator (voice)
John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
Actor
Winnie the Pooh(2011)
as Narrator (voice)
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Spud(2010)
as Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
Shrek Forever After(2010)
as King Harold (voice)
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
Planet 51(2009)
as Professor Kipple (voice)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
The Pink Panther 2(2009)
as Dreyfus
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
The Day the Earth Stood Still(2008)
as Professor Barnhardt
Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
Igor(2008)
as Dr. Glickenstein (voice)
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
Life Of Brian Screenplay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Screenplay · as Wise Man #1, Reg, Jewish Official, First Centurion
More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Shrek the Third(2007)
as King Harold (voice)
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
Hitler: The Comedy Years(2007)
as Adolf Hitler / Basil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Charlotte's Web(2006)
as Samuel the Sheep (voice)
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
L'Entente cordiale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Lord Conrad
Man About Town(2006)
as Dr. Primkin
Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
The Art of Football from A to Z(2006)
Executive Producer · Writer · as Self
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Various Characters
Monty Python's Personal Best(2006)
Show 6 episodes · Creator · Writer · as Self / Various Characters
Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows
Valiant(2005)
as Mercury (voice)
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films
Complete Guide to Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
as Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon
Entourage(2004)
Show 1 episode · as John Cleese
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
Around the World in 80 Days(2004)
as Grizzled Sergeant
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
Shrek 2(2004)
as King Harold (voice)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Canterbury Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Show 1 episode · as Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
George of the Jungle 2(2003)
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle(2003)
as Mr. Munday
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films
Scorched(2003)
as Charles Merchant
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films
Die Another Day(2002)
as Q
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002)
as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Mickey's House of Villains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
as Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash(2002)
as James
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Show 6 episodes · as Red Lansing
Zum letzten Kliff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Creative Consultant · Original Story
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone(2001)
as Nearly Headless Nick
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse(2001)
as Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice)
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Rat Race(2001)
as Donald P. Sinclair
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
The Human Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 4 episodes · Writer · as Presenter
Disney's House of Mouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 4 episodes · as Narrator (voice)
Fawlty Towers: An Interview with John Cleese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
as Kendisi
We Know Where You Live. Live!(2001)
Writer
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
The Magic Pudding(2000)
as Albert the Magic Pudding (voice)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
as The Giant Alien (voice)
Quantum Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
as Alexander Pentcho
Isn't She Great(2000)
as Henry Marcus
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Rockstar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
as Interviewer in lounge
The World Is Not Enough(1999)
as R
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
The Nutcracker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Narrator
Mickey’s Mechanical House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Narrator (voice)
Parting Shots(1998)
as Maurice Walpole
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Mickey Mouse Works (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)
The Out-of-Towners(1999)
as Mr. Mersault
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
Casper & Mandrilaftalen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 1 episode · as Fake Bosse Bo Johansson
Will & Grace(1998)
Show 4 episodes · as Lyle Finster (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows
George of the Jungle(1997)
as An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice)
Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
Fierce Creatures(1997)
Producer · Screenplay · as Rollo Lee
Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films
The Wind in the Willows(1996)
as Mr. Toad's Lawyer
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Show 1 episode · Actor
TFI Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Show 1 episode · Actor
3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)
Show 4 episodes · as Dr. Liam Neesam
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows
Look at the State We're In! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
Show 6 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Harold Kingsby · as Politician
The Jungle Book(1994)
as Dr. Julius Plumford
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
The Swan Princess(1994)
as Jean-Bob (voice)
Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein(1994)
as Prof. Waldman
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
Actor
Splitting Heirs(1993)
as Raoul P. Shadgrind
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
Funny Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Show 6 episodes · Actor
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West(1991)
as Cat R. Waul (voice)
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Rabbit Ears - Tom Thumb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
as Narrator (voice)
Bullseye!(1990)
as Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
Quark the Dragon Slayer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Actor
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python(1989)
Writer · as Self / Various Characters
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
The Big Picture(1989)
as Bartender
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Erik the Viking(1989)
as Halfdan the Black
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Bosses From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Brian
Colleagues From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Actor
Communicators From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Brian
Customer Service From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Actor
Customers From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Brian
Employees From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Brian
Interviewers From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Actor
Sales People from Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Actor
Teams from Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Actor
A Fish Called Wanda(1988)
Director · Executive Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Archie Leach
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Baby Quark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Actor
Dragonslayer Quark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Actor
Quark and the Highway Robber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Actor
The Secret Policeman's Third Ball(1987)
as Jim Cleese
Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films
Clockwise(1986)
as Brian Stimpson
Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
Silverado(1985)
as Sheriff John T. Langston
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
Yellowbeard(1983)
as Harvey 'Blind' Pew
Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films
Monty Python's the Meaning of Life(1983)
Screenplay · as Various Roles
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Privates on Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
as Major Giles Flack
Cheers(1982)
Show 1 episode · as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl(1982)
Writer · as Various Roles
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Whoops Apocalypse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Show 3 episodes · as Lacrobat
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball(1982)
Assistant Director · Producer · as Self - Various Roles
Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films
Time Bandits(1981)
as Robin Hood
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films
The Great Muppet Caper(1981)
as Neville
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
The Tom Machine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
as Computer (voice)
The Queen Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
as Man in Bar
The Taming of the Shrew(1980)
as Petruchio
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
The Secret Policeman's Ball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Producer · Stage Director · as Himself - Various Roles
Doctor Who: City of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
as Art Gallery Visitor
Golden Gordon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
as Passerby
Not the Nine O'Clock News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Friday Night, Saturday Morning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Monty Python's Life of Brian(1979)
Screenplay · as Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
...To Norway, Home of Giants! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
as Norman Fearless
Away from It All (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Director · Writer · as Nigel Farquhar-Bennett – Narrator (voice)
Snavely (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
Creator
The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It(1977)
Screenplay · as Sherlock Holmes
Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films
The Mermaid Frolics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Writer · as Self- Various roles
Three Piece Suite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 6 episodes · as Kevin
Three Piece Suite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
as Kevin
Pleasure at Her Majesty's(1976)
Producer · as Self
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
The Secret Policeman's Ball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Show 15 episodes · Creator · as Self
Ripping Yarns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Meetings, Bloody Meetings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Actor
How Not to Exhibit Yourself (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
as John Cleese
More Awkward Customers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Writer · as Brian
Awkward Customers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Writer · as Brian
Fawlty Towers(1975)
Show 12 episodes · Creator · Writer · as Basil Fawlty
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
Monty Python and the Holy Grail(1975)
Writer · as Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Romance with a Double Bass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Adaptation · as Smychkov
The Goodies and the Beanstalk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as The Genie
Is This a Record? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
Additional Writing · as Various
Elementary, My Dear Watson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Sherlock Holmes
Monty Python In The Netherlands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Narrator / Pie Face 2
The Love Ban (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Contraceptives Lecturer
Rentadick(1972)
Writer
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
The Philosophers' Football Match (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
as Archimedes
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Show 2 episodes · as Various Characters
Who Sold You This, Then? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Script · Actor
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Writer · Actor
Monty Python's and Now for Something Completely Different(1971)
Screenplay · 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
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
The Two Ronnies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Show 1 episode · Writer
The Statue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
as Harry
Six Dates with Barker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Show 1 episode · Writer
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer(1970)
Writer · as Pumer
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Monty Python: Who's There? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
as Timothy
The Magic Christian(1969)
Additional Writing · as Director in Sotheby's
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films
Monty Python's Flying Circus(1969)
Show 41 episodes · Writer · as Various / Announcer
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
The Best House in London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
as Jones (uncredited)
How to Irritate People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Writer · as Himself - Various
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom(1968)
as Post Office Clerk
Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films
Interlude(1968)
as Television public relations man
Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films
Misleading Cases (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Show 1 episode · as Mr. Partridge
At Last the 1948 Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Show 13 episodes · Creator · Writer · Actor
ABC Stage 67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Show 1 episode · Writer
The Frost Report (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Show 28 episodes · Actor
Doctor Who(1963)
Show 1 episode · as Art Gallery Visitor
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
That Was The Week That Was (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)
Show 1 episode · Writer
The Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)
Show 1 episode · as Marcus Rugman
Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Writer
How to Make Her Cheat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
as Terry
Monty Python: Live at Aspen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show Creator
Taking The Wheel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
as Nathan
The Splendid Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 202 titles, 197 of them dated from 1961 to 2025; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Shrek 2 (2004)

$933M worldwide

Highest rated

Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Midcredits 99^th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout

19612025

Peak 2010 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 34 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

1969Screen debut· Monty Python's Flying Circus
1969First film· The Magic Christian
1975Breakout· Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1986First top-billed film· Clockwise

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting179 of 202 · 47^thDirecting1 of 202Writing35 of 202 · 93^rdProducing6 of 202Other crew16 of 202 · 65^th

202 titles, 28 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 21 of them.

By decade

1960s14 · 11 acting · 6 crew1970s38 · 31 acting · 20 crew1980s32 · 30 acting · 5 crew1990s24 · 24 acting · 2 crew2000s45 · 42 acting · 5 crew2010s28 · 26 acting · 2 crew2020s16 · 12 acting · 5 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 9% of 68 roles

14%

17%

27%

17%

6984949904091419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Cleese's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46^th percentile, the median of all 89; across their 83 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 83

Approval · how many liked their films

49^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 83

Reach · how many have seen their films

83^rdpercentile

Typical film, the median of 83

Midcredits score across 102 titles, by percentile

75^th and up27
50^th to 74^th22
25^th to 49^th34
Below 25^th19

Shape of the crowd

34 of their 102 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

Universally Loved14
Universally Panned2
Divisive3
Cult Classic2
Crowd Pleaser34
Broadly Agreed13
Mixed34

Most divisive · actor

A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown (2015)

92^nd percentile spread · 61% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, writer

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Midcredits 99^th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 67 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is John Cleese's work okay for kids?

Across up to 41 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles

Violence & Gore34 titles19–66 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all films

Sex & Nudity41 titles9–50 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all films

Profanity33 titles6–59 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all films

Alcohol & Drugs32 titles3–35 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all films

Frightening / Intense31 titles13–64 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all films

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.