John Cleese - Actor Profile

John Cleese

Acting
Updated: May 08, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 27, 1939
Birth Place: Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK

About John Cleese

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

John Cleese Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of John Cleese reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of John Cleese's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of John Cleese's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Quantum Project, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best John Cleese Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Cleese's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie John Cleese has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2023 Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs Self Super Hit Similar →
2019 Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2018 Why Are We Creative? Self Super Hit Similar →
2014 Monty Python: The Meaning of Live Self Hit Similar →
2013 The Meaning of Monty Python Self Hit Similar →
2012 The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker Self Super Hit Similar →
2011 John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live - Super Hit Similar →
2009 Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened Self / Basil Fawlty Super Hit Similar →
2008 Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus Self Super Hit Similar →
2008 Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation Self Super Hit Similar →
2007 The Secret Life of Brian Self Super Hit Similar →
2006 Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best Various Characters Super Hit Similar →
2006 Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best Various Characters Super Hit Similar →
2006 Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best Various Characters Super Hit Similar →
2004 Wine for the Confused Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Magic Touch of Harry Potter Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 Shrek 2 King Harold (voice) Hit Similar →
2004 The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2003 Concert for George Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' Self Super Hit Similar →
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas) Super Hit Similar →
2002 Mickey's House of Villains Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited) Hit Similar →
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Nearly Headless Nick Super Hit Similar →
2000 Quantum Project Alexander Pentcho Super Hit Similar →
1996 Spike Self Super Hit Similar →
1989 The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball Self Super Hit Similar →
1988 A Fish Called Wanda Archie Leach Hit Similar →
1987 Baby Quark - Super Hit Similar →
1987 Quark and the Highway Robber - Super Hit Similar →
1987 The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball Jim Cleese Super Hit Similar →
1983 Group Madness Self Super Hit Similar →
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Various Roles Hit Similar →
1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl Various Roles Hit Similar →
1980 Peter Cook & Co. Himself / Various Characters Super Hit Similar →
1980 The Taming of the Shrew Petruchio Super Hit Similar →
1979 Doctor Who: City of Death Art Gallery Visitor Super Hit Similar →
1979 Golden Gordon Passerby Super Hit Similar →
1979 Life of Brian Wise Man #1 / Reg / Jewish Official / First Centurion / Deadly Dirk / Arthur Super Hit Similar →
1979 The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 Self Hit Similar →
1979 ...To Norway, Home of Giants! Norman Fearless Super Hit Similar →
1975 How Not to Exhibit Yourself John Cleese Super Hit Similar →
1975 More Awkward Customers Brian Super Hit Similar →
1975 Awkward Customers Brian Super Hit Similar →
1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail Second Swallow-Savvy Guard / The Black Knight / Peasant 3 / Sir Launcelot the Brave / Taunting French Guard / Tim the Enchanter Super Hit Similar →
1974 Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report Self Super Hit Similar →
1971 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 Hit Similar →
1971 Euroshow '71: May Day Special Self - Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus) Super Hit Similar →
N/A The Philosophers' Football Match Archimedes Super Hit Similar →
N/A Taking The Wheel Nathan Super Hit Similar →

John Cleese - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Cleese?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Cleese is "Quantum Project" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has John Cleese acted in?

John Cleese has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Cleese?

Other notable films include "Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best", "Baby Quark", and "Quark and the Highway Robber".

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