
John Cleese
ActingAbout 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.
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.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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".


