Michael Palin

ActorWriterCrewProducer May 5 (age 82) Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK 1966–2026 (60 year career)

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Biography

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 Parr…

Known For

Film

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!

Film

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

Film

Brazil

Jack Lint

Film

A Fish Called Wanda

Ken Pile

Film

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Various Roles

Film

Monty Python's Flying Circus

Various / "It's" man

Film

The Death of Stalin

Vyacheslav Molotov

Film

Arthur Christmas

Ernie Clicker (voice)

Filmography

Acting (218)

Movies (153)

The Magic Faraway Tree

2026

8.5

Small Prophets

2026

as Brian Sleep

When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

2025

as Self

8.7

The Academy of Armando

2025

as Self

1.0

Innes Lloyd: The Producer

2025

as Self

8.0

Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

2024

as Self

4.5

How To Make It In Comedy

2024

Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

2023

as Self

9.0

The Fringe, Fame and Me

2022

as Self

Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

2021

as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)

Jeepers Creepers

2020

as Newscaster (voice)

4.0

Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

2020

as Self

8.0

Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

as Self

An Accidental Studio

as Self

Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

2019

as Self

Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

2019

as Self (archive footage)

9.0

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

2018

7.0

The Death of Stalin

2017

as Vyacheslav Molotov

Attenborough at 90

as Self

Generation '66

Absolutely Anything

as Kindly Alien (voice)

5.9

Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

2015

as Self

7.0

Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

2014

as Self

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

2014

as Self, others

7.1

New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

2014

as Self

Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

2014

as Self

Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

2014

as Self

6.0

Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

2014

as Self

7.5

Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

2014

as Self

7.4

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

2014

as Self

8.0

The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

2014

Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

2013

as Self

7.3

The Meaning of Monty Python

as Self

The Wipers Times

as General Mitford

Frost on Sketch Shows

as Self

Anatomy of a Liar

as Self

Produced by George Martin

2012

as Self

7.4

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

2012

as Various (voice)

6.0

The Secret Policeman's Ball

2012

as Self

7.6

Arthur Christmas

2011

as Ernie Clicker (voice)

6.8

Making Qi

2011

as Self

The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema

2011

as Self

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

2010

as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis

6.9

Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

2010

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

2010

as Self

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

2009

as Self

8.0

Monty Python in Aberystwyth

2009

as Self

Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

2008

as Self

7.8

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

2008

as Self

The Seventh Python

2008

as Self

Around the World in 20 Years

2008

as Self

8.0

Life Of Brian Screenplay

2008

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

Monty Python Conquers America

2008

as Self

6.5

Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

as Self

What Is Brazil?

as Self

Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

2008

as Presenter

Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'

2008

as Self

Hitler: The Comedy Years

2007

as Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)

5.0

The Secret Life of Brian

2007

as Self

7.6

Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

2007

as Gariiiiiii (voice)

5.1

What the Pythons Did Next...

2007

as Self (archive footage)

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

2006

as Various Characters

8.0

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

2006

as Various Characters

7.0

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

2006

as Various Characters

8.3

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

2006

as Various Characters

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

2006

as Various Characters

50 Films to See Before You Die

2006

as Self

8.5

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

2006

as Various Characters

10.0

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

2006

The Roots of Monty Python

2005

as Self (archive footage)

John Peel's Record Box

2005

as Self

8.0

Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

2005

as Host

7.0

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

2004

as Self (archive footage)

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

2004

as Self (archive footage)

9.0

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

2004

as Self

5.8

The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

2004

as Self (archive footage)

9.0

Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

2004

as Self

4.8

Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

2003

as Narrator

Concert for George

2003

as Self

8.1

The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

2003

as Self

8.0

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

2002

as Self

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

2002

as Self - Presenter

8.8

The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

2001

as Self

7.7

The Unknown Peter Sellers

2000

as Self

8.0

Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

1999

as Self

Monty Python: Pythonland

1999

The Monty Python Story

1999

as Self

Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

1999

as Self

Monty Python: Live at Aspen

1998

as Self

7.1

Fierce Creatures

1997

as Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone

6.2

Palin on Redpath

1997

as Self - Presenter

The Willows in Winter

1996

as Rat

6.5

The Wind in the Willows

1996

as The Sun

5.7

The Wind in the Willows

1995

as Rat

7.0

Meridian: The First Ten Minutes

1993

as Self

Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

1993

as Various

The First Night of Meridian

1993

as Self - Host

American Friends

1991

as Rev. Francis Ashby

6.2

Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

1991

as Narrator (voice)

The Witches

1990

as Witch at Meeting (uncredited)

6.9

Life of Python

1990

as Self / Various Roles

5.3

Viz: The Documentary

1990

as Self

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

1989

as Self / Various Characters

7.0

The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin

1989

as Self

The Movie Life of George

1989

as Self

The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

1989

as Self

7.5

John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

as Self

A Fish Called Wanda

as Ken Pile

Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

1988

as Self

6.0

The Grand Knockout Tournament

1987

as Self

5.7

Comedians Do It On Stage

1986

as Self

Brazil

as Jack Lint

The Dress

as Howard

A Private Function

as Gilbert Chilvers

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

1983

as Various Roles

7.3

The Crimson Permanent Assurance

1983

as Workman

7.2

Comic Roots: Michael Palin

1983

The Missionary

1982

as The Reverend Charles Fortescue

5.5

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

1982

as Various Roles

7.4

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

1982

as Self - Various Roles

Time Bandits

as Vincent

The Box

as (voice)

Life of Brian

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

7.8

The Secret Policeman's Ball

as Various Roles

Whinfrey's Last Case

as Gerald Whinfrey

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

as Self

Roger of the Raj

as Roger

Golden Gordon

as Gordon Ottershaw

The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

1978

as Eric Manchester

6.8

Murder at Moorstones Manor

1977

as Charles Chiddingford

Jabberwocky

as Dennis Cooper

The Broken Bottle

Across the Andes by Frog

1977

as Captain Walter Snetterton

Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

1977

as Major Errol Phipps

9.0

The Curse of the Claw

1977

as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack

The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

1977

as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager

7.0

Tomkinson's Schooldays

1976

as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt

9.0

Pleasure at Her Majesty's

1976

as Self

6.5

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

1975

as 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!

Three Men in a Boat

as Harris

Henry Cleans Up

as Henry

Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

1974

as Self

Is This a Record?

1973

as Various

6.0

Monty Python In The Netherlands

1973

And Now for Something Completely Different

1971

as 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

7.2

Euroshow '71: May Day Special

1971

as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

1971

Monty Python: Who's There?

1970

as Ken

6.0

Ending It All

1970

How to Irritate People

1969

as Various

6.6

Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

1966

as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)

4.9

Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch

as salesman

The Philosophers' Football Match

as Nietzsche

10.0

Television (65)

Small Prophets

2026

as Brian Sleep

8.6

The Secret Life of Trees

2025

as Self - Narrator

7.0

Michael Palin in Venezuela

2025

as Self - Host

5.8

Michael Palin in Nigeria

2024

as Self

7.3

Remembers…

2022

Michael Palin: Into Iraq

Staged

as Michael

Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime

as Self - Host

Worzel Gummidge

as The Green Man

Vanity Fair

as William Makepeace Thackeray

7.3

Michael Palin in North Korea

2018

as Self - Host

7.7

Artsnight

2015

as Self

Clangers

2015

as Narrator (voice)

6.0

Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

2014

as Self (archive footage)

Remember Me

as Tom Parfitt

A Life on Screen

as Self

Brazil with Michael Palin

2012

as Self (Presenter)

7.3

The Jonathan Ross Show

2011

as Self

5.3

Perspectives

2011

as Self

ZULU Comedy Galla

2010

as Michael Palin

10.0

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

2009

as Self

7.5

The Graham Norton Show

2007

as Self

7.2

The Alan Titchmarsh Show

2007

as Self

3.7

Michael Palin's New Europe

2007

as Self

7.5

Movie Connections

2007

as Self

The One Show

as Self - Guest

Legends

as Self

Monty Python's Personal Best

2006

as Self / Various Characters

5.4

Himalaya with Michael Palin

2004

as Self - Presenter

8.1

Sahara with Michael Palin

2002

as Self - Presenter

7.3

Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

1999

6.0

Parkinson

1998

as Self

Fantasy World Cup

1998

as Self

5.0

Full Circle with Michael Palin

1997

as Self

7.5

Clive Anderson All Talk

1996

as Self

The Frank Skinner Show

1995

as Self

7.5

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

as Self - Guest

Pole to Pole

as Self

G.B.H.

as Jim Nelson

The Simpsons

as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)

8.0

Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

1989

as Self

7.4

Michael Palin: The Art of Travel

Going Live!

as Self

Daytime Live

Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

Friday People

Wogan

as Self

Great Railway Journeys

as Self - Presenter

Travels with Palin

as Self

Friday Night, Saturday Morning

Ripping Yarns

Ripping Yarns

as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack

7.5

The Secret Policeman's Ball

as Self

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

as Self

Pebble Mill at One

Full House

as Various

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

1972

as Various Characters

7.3

Monty Python's Flying Circus

1969

as Various / "It's" man

8.3

Clangers

1969

as Narrator (voice)

6.9

The Complete and Utter History of Britain

Frost on Sunday

Do Not Adjust Your Set

1967

as Various Characters

7.6

A Series of Bird's

1967

Twice a Fortnight

1967

Crew (51)

Movies (35)

Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

2020

Thanks

5.7

Monty Python Live (Mostly)

2014

Writer

7.1

Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

2013

Writer

7.3

Python Legs!

2012

Writer

Around the World in 20 Years

2008

Writer

8.0

Life Of Brian Screenplay

2008

Screenplay

Palin on Redpath

1997

Writer

American Friends

1991

Writer

6.2

Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

1989

Writer

7.0

Number 27

1988

Writer

Consuming Passions

Theatre Play

East of Ipswich

Writer

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Screenplay

The Missionary

Producer

The Missionary

Writer

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Writer

Time Bandits

Writer

The Box

Screenplay

Life of Brian

Screenplay

Whinfrey's Last Case

Writer

Roger of the Raj

Writer

Golden Gordon

Writer

Murder at Moorstones Manor

1977

Writer

8.0

Across the Andes by Frog

1977

Writer

Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

1977

Writer

9.0

The Curse of the Claw

1977

Writer

The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

1977

Writer

7.0

Tomkinson's Schooldays

1976

Writer

9.0

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

1975

Writer

7.8

Henry Cleans Up

1974

Writer

Is This a Record?

Additional Writing

Secrets

Writer

And Now for Something Completely Different

1971

Screenplay

7.2

The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

1971

Writer

Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python

Writer

Television (16)

Time Bandits

2024

Characters

6.1

Michael Palin's New Europe

2007

Writer

7.5

Himalaya with Michael Palin

2004

Writer

8.1

Sahara with Michael Palin

2002

Writer

7.3

Full Circle with Michael Palin

Writer

Pole to Pole

Writer

Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

Writer

Screen Two

Writer

Great Railway Journeys

Writer

Ripping Yarns

Writer

Black and Blue

Writer

The Two Ronnies

Writer

Monty Python's Flying Circus

1969

Writer

8.3

The Complete and Utter History of Britain

1969

Writer

7.0

Do Not Adjust Your Set

1967

Writer

7.6

A Series of Bird's

1967

Additional Writing