Eric Idle

Actor and writer, also director and producer · Born March 29, 1943 (83) · South Shields, County Durham, England, UK

Eric Idle (born March 29, 1943) is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer who wrote and performed as a member of the popular British comedy group Monty Python.

Biography from TMDB.

Born: March 29, 1943 (83)
From: South Shields, County Durham, England, UK
Works as: Actor and writer, also director and producer
Titles: 53 on MovieCove · 96 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What are Eric Idle's films like?

Across their 46 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy17 titles61^st

Documentary10 titles82^nd

Adventure7 titles46^th

Animation6 titles48^th

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

26%

Society

24%

Ideas

16%

Self

16%

Morality

10%

Power

Survival

Community12 Art12 Family bonds8 Friendship9 Identity8 Legacy8 Romantic love7 Self-worth4

What they feel like to watch

their average across 41 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Wry

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 10 · Wry 5 · Earnest 23

Light

Tone · Weight

lightdark

Light 36 · Serious 5 · Dark 0

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 20

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 23 · Charged 16 · Intense 2

Steady

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Steady 27 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 5

Funny

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 27

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 21 · Relentless 3

Casual

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 33 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

Easy watch

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

Easy watch 39 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 0

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 37 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

19 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 7 of 19 analyzed roles.

Ally

7 of 19

Trickster

4 of 19

Hero

3 of 19

Herald

2 of 19

Mentor

2 of 19

Shadow

1 of 19

Show the 19 roles

Tricksteras Various Characters in Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967)
Tricksteras Various in Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)
Shadowas Prosecutor in Monty Python's and Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
Allyas Dirk McQuickly in The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)
Heraldas Reporter in Steve Martin's Best Show Ever (1981)
Tricksteras Commander Clement in Yellowbeard (1983)
Allyas Fellow Clerk in Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (1983)
Allyas Jean Passepartout in Around the World in 80 Days (1989)
Heroas Brian Hope in Nuns on the Run (1990)
Mentoras King Raff in Mom and Dad Save the World (1992)
Heroas Tommy Butterfly Rainbow Peace Patel in Splitting Heirs (1993)
Allyas Rat in The Wind in the Willows (1996)
Heroas Alan Smithee in An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997)
Allyas Devon in Quest for Camelot (1998)
Tricksteras Slyly the Fox in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998)
Allyas Waddlesworth in 102 Dalmatians (2000)
Allyas Coffin Ed in The Scream Team (2002)
Heraldas Narrator / Dirk McQuickly in The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2003)
Mentoras Presenter in The Entire Universe (2016)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful

Absurd

Warm

Thrilling

Manic

Other

How their films linger

Feel-good34 Fun26 Hopeful10 Bittersweet9 Wistful7 Thought-provoking5

How their films end · 1 with a twist

Happy26
Bittersweet13
Ambiguous5
Cyclical2

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 Eric Idle's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 53 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Roku Channel (12).

Also on these channels

Shout! TV4 titles, show their 4 titles on Shout! TV
FOX One2 titles, show their 2 titles on FOX One
Howdy2 titles, show their 2 titles on Howdy
Cinemax1 title, show their title on Cinemax
Midnight Pulp1 title, show their title on Midnight Pulp
ScreenPix1 title, show their title on ScreenPix
Sony Pictures Core1 title, show their title on Sony Pictures Core

Subscription and free streaming for Eric Idle'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

96 credits, 53 with a MovieCove page; 76 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
as The Impressive Clergyman
The Masked Singer(2019)
Show 1 episode · as Hedgehog · as Hedgehog (archive footage)
Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows
The Admiral: Pub, Drums and Food (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
as Dirk McQuickley (archive footage)
The Entire Universe(2016)
Writer · as Self - Presenter
Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films
Absolutely Anything(2015)
as Salubrious Gat (voice)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
Put the Minister in the Socket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Original Story
The Boxtrolls(2014)
Songs
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Monty Python Live (Mostly)(2014)
Director · Writer · as Self, others
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
What About Dick?(2012)
Director · Musical · Writer · as The Piano
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Actor
Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy(2010)
Writer · as Baritonish / Stan / Loretta / Bob Dylan / Ben
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films
Delgo(2008)
as Spig (voice)
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
Life Of Brian Screenplay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Screenplay · as Mr. Cheeky, Stan aka Loretta, Harry the Haggler
Shrek the Third(2007)
as Merlin (voice)
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
Hitler: The Comedy Years(2007)
as Mr. Johnson (archive footage) (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
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
The Nutcracker and the Mouseking(2004)
as Drosselmeier (voice)
Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films
Ella Enchanted(2004)
as Narrator
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure(2003)
as English Victim
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch(2003)
Director · Producer · Writer · as Melvin/Dirk McQuickly/Lady Beth Mouse-Peddler
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
Hollywood Homicide(2003)
as Celebrity
Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films
The Scream Team(2002)
as Coffin Ed
Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films
Unplug the Minister in the Socket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Original Story
Brightness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
as Mr. Bix
Disney's House of Mouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Show 2 episodes · as Pluto Angel (voice)
102 Dalmatians(2000)
as Waddlesworth (voice)
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 1 episode · as Guzelian (voice)
Dudley Do-Right(1999)
as Prospector
Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films
Hercules: Zero to Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Parenthesis (voice) (archive sound)
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut(1999)
as Dr. Vosknocker (voice)
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue(1998)
as Evil Martin (voice)
Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie(1998)
as Slyly (voice)
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
Hercules(1998)
Show 7 episodes · as Parenthesis (voice)
Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows
Quest for Camelot(1998)
as Devon (voice)
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn(1997)
as Alan Smithee
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
State of Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Actor
Bobcat Goldthwait Comedy Central "Pulp Comics" (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
as Man in Bed
The Wind in the Willows(1996)
as Rat
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
Suddenly Susan(1996)
Show 21 episodes · as Ian Maxtone-Graham
Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows
Mad TV(1995)
Show 1 episode · as Zookeeper
Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows
Pinky and the Brain(1995)
Show 1 episode · as Mom & Dad (voice)
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows
Casper(1995)
as Dibs
Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films
Frasier(1993)
Show 1 episode · as Chuck (voice)
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows
Splitting Heirs(1993)
Executive Producer · Writer · as Tommy Butterfly Rainbow Peace Patel
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
Mom and Dad Save the World(1992)
as King Raff
Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films
Missing Pieces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
as Wendel
One Foot in the Grave: The Man In The Long Black Coat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
as Mervyn Whale
Too Much Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
as Sonny
Nuns on the Run(1990)
as Brian Hope
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
The Simpsons(1989)
Show 4 episodes · as Declan Desmond (voice)
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python(1989)
Writer · as Self / Various Characters
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
How to Get Ahead in Advertising(1989)
as Male Love Bird (voice) (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Around the World in 80 Days(1989)
Show 3 episodes · as Jean Passepartout
Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows
Nearly Departed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Show 6 episodes · as Grant Pritchard
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen(1988)
as Desmond / Berthold
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
The Mikado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
as Ko-Ko
The Transformers: The Movie(1986)
as Wreck-Gar (voice)
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
National Lampoon's European Vacation(1985)
as The Bike Rider
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
The Pied Piper of Hamelin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
as The Pied Piper / Robert Browning
Yellowbeard(1983)
as Commander Clement
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
The Crimson Permanent Assurance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
as Gunther (uncredited)
Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Show 1 episode · Director · Teleplay · as Narrator (voice) · as The Pied Piper / Robert Browning
The Tale of the Frog Prince (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Director · Writer · as Narrator
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl(1982)
Writer · as Various Roles
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever(1981)
Director · Producer · Writer · as Reporter
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Monty Python's Life of Brian(1979)
Screenplay · as Mr. Cheeky / Stan 'Loretta' / Harry the Haggler / Culprit Woman / Warris / Intensely Dull Youth / Jailer's Assistant / Otto / Lead Singer Crucifee
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash(1978)
Director · Writer · as Dirk McQuickly/The Narrator/S.J. Krammerhead
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Yellow Submarine Sandwich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
as Dirk McQuickly (dialogue voice)
Laverne & Shirley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Show 1 episode · as Derek DeWoods
Pleasure at Her Majesty's(1976)
Writer
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Saturday Night Live(1975)
Show 4 episodes · Director · as Self - Cameo (uncredited) · as Self - Host · as Self (uncredited) · as Terry Halsey (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows
Rutland Weekend Television (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Show 14 episodes · Creator · Writer · as Various Characters
Monty Python and the Holy Grail(1975)
Writer · as Dead Collector / Peasant 1 / Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Launcelot / First Swamp Castle Guard / Concorde / Roger the Shrubber / Brother Maynard
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Monty Python In The Netherlands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Pie Face 1
The Philosophers' Football Match (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
as Sokrates
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Show 2 episodes · as Various Characters
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 Prosecutor / Marriage Counselor / Arthur Nudge / Self-defence student #4 (interested in pointed sticks) / 'Hell's Grannies' analyst / Arthur Wilson / Arthur Wilson Two / Nightclub Emcee / Linkman / First General / Restaurant Manager / Lingerie Shop Owner / Accountant #1 (falling past the window) / Fairy Godmother / Rita Fairbanks / Simon Zinc Trumpet Harris / Mountie / Lady With Cookbook
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Euroshow '71: May Day Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
The Two Ronnies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Show 10 episodes · Writer
Monty Python's Flying Circus(1969)
Show 45 episodes · Writer · as Various
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Show 12 episodes · as Various
Do Not Adjust Your Set(1967)
Show 29 episodes · Writer · as Various Characters
Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows
At Last the 1948 Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Show 13 episodes · Actor
Alice in Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
as Young Man (uncredited)
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
as Jazz Band Chauffeur (uncredited)
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor
Monty Python: Live at Aspen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show Creator
No – That's Me Over Here! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Show Creator

Career shape

Star power in the 99^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 95 titles, 92 of them dated from 1966 to 2020; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

Casper (1995)

$290M worldwide

Highest rated

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Midcredits 99^th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout

19662020

Peak 1999 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 12 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.

1966Screen debut· Alice in Wonderland
1975Breakout· Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1978First top-billed film· The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting85 of 95 · 52^ndDirecting8 of 95 · 81^stWriting23 of 95 · 92^ndProducing2 of 95Other crew5 of 95

95 titles, 20 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 17 of them.

By decade

1960s6 · 6 acting · 2 crew1970s14 · 13 acting · 8 crew1980s17 · 16 acting · 6 crew1990s22 · 22 acting · 1 crew2000s22 · 20 acting · 4 crew2010s10 · 6 acting · 6 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 12% of 33 roles

20%

13%

66819101

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 Eric Idle's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52^nd percentile, the median of all 41; across their 41 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 41

Approval · how many liked their films

56^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 41

Reach · how many have seen their films

78^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 41

Midcredits score across 53 titles, by percentile

75^th and up20
50^th to 74^th12
25^th to 49^th11
Below 25^th10

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 53 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

Universally Loved10
Universally Panned2
Divisive1
Cult Classic2
Crowd Pleaser18
Broadly Agreed8
Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (1998)

82^nd percentile spread · 65% 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 66/100 in their films, across 34 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 44. 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 Eric Idle's work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films and alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles

Violence & Gore11 titles31–60 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all films

Sex & Nudity15 titles3–68 · median 43 · moderateheavier than most films

Profanity12 titles10–60 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all films

Alcohol & Drugs11 titles0–36 · median 18 · mildlighter than most films

Frightening / Intense12 titles10–39 · median 29 · mildlighter than most 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.