Michael Palin
Born
May 5, 1943 (age 82)
Birthplace
Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK

Michael Palin

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 Parrot", "The Lumberjack Song", and "The Spanish Inquisition".

Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara desert, the Himalayas and, most recently, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.

Movies

How To Make It In Comedy
How To Make It In Comedy
2024
Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers
2020 ★ 4.0
Newscaster (voice)
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018 ★ 7.0
The Death of Stalin
The Death of Stalin
2017 ★ 7.0
Vyacheslav Molotov
Generation '66
Generation '66
2016 ★ 7.0
Absolutely Anything
Absolutely Anything
2015 ★ 5.9
Kindly Alien (voice)
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
2014
The Wipers Times
The Wipers Times
2013 ★ 6.3
General Mitford
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
2012 ★ 6.0
Various (voice)
Arthur Christmas
Arthur Christmas
2011 ★ 6.8
Ernie Clicker (voice)
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
2010
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
2010 ★ 6.9
Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎
2008
Presenter
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Life Of Brian Screenplay
2008
Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
2007 ★ 5.1
Gariiiiiii (voice)
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Hitler: The Comedy Years
2007 ★ 5.0
Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
2006 ★ 7.0
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
2006 ★ 8.3
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006 ★ 10.0
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
2006 ★ 8.0
Various Characters
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
2005 ★ 7.0
Host
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
2003
Narrator
Monty Python: Pythonland
Monty Python: Pythonland
1999
Fierce Creatures
Fierce Creatures
1997 ★ 6.2
Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone
The Willows in Winter
The Willows in Winter
1996 ★ 6.6
Rat
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows
1996 ★ 5.7
The Sun
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows
1995 ★ 7.0
Rat
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
1993
Various
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
1991
Narrator (voice)
American Friends
American Friends
1991 ★ 6.2
Rev. Francis Ashby
The Witches
The Witches
1990 ★ 6.9
Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
A Fish Called Wanda
A Fish Called Wanda
1988 ★ 7.2
Ken Pile
Brazil
Brazil
1985 ★ 7.7
Jack Lint
A Private Function
A Private Function
1984 ★ 6.4
Gilbert Chilvers
The Dress
The Dress
1984 ★ 6.0
Howard
Comic Roots: Michael Palin
Comic Roots: Michael Palin
1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
1983 ★ 7.3
Various Roles
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
1983 ★ 7.2
Workman
The Missionary
The Missionary
1982 ★ 5.5
The Reverend Charles Fortescue
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982 ★ 7.4
Various Roles
Time Bandits
Time Bandits
1981 ★ 6.6
Vincent
The Box
The Box
1981 ★ 5.0
(voice)
The Secret Policeman's Ball
The Secret Policeman's Ball
1979 ★ 6.1
Various Roles
Roger of the Raj
Roger of the Raj
1979 ★ 8.0
Roger
Golden Gordon
Golden Gordon
1979 ★ 8.0
Gordon Ottershaw
Whinfrey's Last Case
Whinfrey's Last Case
1979 ★ 9.0
Gerald Whinfrey
Life of Brian
Life of Brian
1979 ★ 7.8
Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
1978 ★ 6.8
Eric Manchester
The Curse of the Claw
The Curse of the Claw
1977
Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
Across the Andes by Frog
Across the Andes by Frog
1977
Captain Walter Snetterton
Murder at Moorstones Manor
Murder at Moorstones Manor
1977 ★ 8.0
Charles Chiddingford
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B
1977 ★ 9.0
Major Errol Phipps
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite
1977 ★ 7.0
Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
The Broken Bottle
The Broken Bottle
1977
Jabberwocky
Jabberwocky
1977 ★ 6.0
Dennis Cooper
Tomkinson's Schooldays
Tomkinson's Schooldays
1976 ★ 9.0
Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
Three Men in a Boat
Three Men in a Boat
1975 ★ 5.9
Harris
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975 ★ 7.8
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!
Henry Cleans Up
Henry Cleans Up
1974
Henry
Is This a Record?
Is This a Record?
1973 ★ 6.0
Various
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Monty Python In The Netherlands
1973
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
1971
Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
Monty Python: Who's There?
Monty Python: Who's There?
1970 ★ 6.0
Ken
How to Irritate People
How to Irritate People
1969 ★ 6.6
Various
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
1966 ★ 4.9
Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
The Philosophers' Football Match
The Philosophers' Football Match
★ 10.0
Nietzsche
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
salesman
Ending It All
Ending It All

TV Series