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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 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.
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
May 5, 1943
Age
83 years old
Place of Birth
Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK
Popularity Score
2.2
Filmography
The Magic Faraway Tree
Know All
2026Movie
Joke
2026Movie
David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth
Self
2026Movie
Small Prophets
Brian Sleep
2026TV
Michael Palin in the Philippines
2026TV
The Academy of Armando
Self
2025Movie
When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain
Self
2025Movie
Innes Lloyd: The Producer
Self
2025Movie
The Secret Life of Trees
Self - Narrator
2025TV
Michael Palin in Venezuela
Self - Presenter
2025TV
David Frost Vs
self
2025TV
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration
Self
2024Movie
My National Gallery, London
Self
2024Movie
Michael Palin in Nigeria
Self - Presenter
2024TV
Time Bandits
Characters
2024TV
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Self
2023Movie
The Fringe, Fame and Me
Self
2022Movie
Michael Palin: Into Iraq
Self - Presenter
2022TV
Remembers…
2022TV
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2021Movie
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
Self
2020Movie
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
Self
2020Movie
Jeepers Creepers
Newscaster (voice)
2020Movie
Staged
Michael
2020TV
Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime
Self - Host
2020TV
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
Thanks
2020Movie
An Accidental Studio
Self
2019Movie
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
Self
2019Movie
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Self (archive footage)
2019Movie
Worzel Gummidge
The Green Man
2019TV
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018Movie
Vanity Fair
William Makepeace Thackeray
2018TV
Michael Palin in North Korea
Self - Presenter
2018TV
The Death of Stalin
Vyacheslav Molotov
2017Movie
Attenborough at 90
Self
2016Movie
Generation '66
2016Movie
Absolutely Anything
Kindly Alien (voice)
2015Movie
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
Self
2015Movie
Artsnight
Self
2015TV
Clangers
Narrator (voice)
2015TV
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
Self
2014Movie
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Self, others
2014Movie
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Self
2014Movie
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self
2014Movie
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
Self
2014Movie
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
2014Movie
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns
Self
2014Movie
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self
2014Movie
New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days
Self
2014Movie
Remember Me
Tom Parfitt
2014TV
A Life on Screen
Self
2014TV
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Self (archive footage)
2014TV
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Writer
2014Movie
Frost on Sketch Shows
Self
2013Movie
The Wipers Times
General Mitford
2013Movie
The Meaning of Monty Python
Self
2013Movie
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
Self
2013Movie
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
Writer
2013Movie
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Various (voice)
2012Movie
Anatomy of a Liar
Self
2012Movie
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self
2012Movie
Produced by George Martin
Self
2012Movie
Brazil with Michael Palin
Self - Presenter
2012TV
Python Legs!
Writer
2012Movie
Brazil with Michael Palin
Writer
2012TV
Arthur Christmas
Ernie Clicker (voice)
2011Movie
Making Qi
Self
2011Movie
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema
Self
2011Movie
The Jonathan Ross Show
Self
2011TV
Perspectives
Self
2011TV
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
2010Movie
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
2010Movie
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
Self
2010Movie
ZULU Comedy Galla
Michael Palin
2010TV
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self
2009Movie
Monty Python in Aberystwyth
Self
2009Movie
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Self
2009TV
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
2008Movie
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
Self
2008Movie
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
Self
2008Movie
Around the World in 20 Years
Self
2008Movie
The Seventh Python
Self
2008Movie
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Self
2008Movie
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One
Presenter
2008Movie
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self
2008Movie
What Is Brazil?
Self
2008Movie
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
2008Movie
Around the World in 20 Years
Writer
2008Movie
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Screenplay
2008Movie
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007Movie
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
Gariiiiiii (voice)
2007Movie
What the Pythons Did Next...
Self (archive footage)
2007Movie
The Secret Life of Brian
Self
2007Movie
Michael Palin's New Europe
Self
2007TV
Movie Connections
Self
2007TV
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
Self
2007TV
The Graham Norton Show
Self
2007TV
Michael Palin's New Europe
Writer
2007TV
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006Movie
50 Films to See Before You Die
Self
2006Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
2006Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006Movie
The One Show
Self - Guest
2006TV
Monty Python's Personal Best
Self / Various Characters
2006TV
Legends
Self
2006TV
Monty Python's Personal Best
Creator
2006TV
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
Host
2005Movie
The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)
2005Movie
John Peel's Record Box
Self
2005Movie
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self
2004Movie
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
Self
2004Movie
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Self (archive footage)
2004Movie
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Self (archive footage)
2004Movie
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
Self (archive footage)
2004Movie
Himalaya with Michael Palin
Self - Presenter
2004TV
Himalaya with Michael Palin
Writer
2004TV
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Self
2003Movie
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
Self - Presenter
2003Movie
Concert for George
Self
2003Movie
Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute
Self
2002Movie
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
Self - Presenter
2002Movie
Sahara with Michael Palin
Self - Presenter
2002TV
Sahara with Michael Palin
Writer
2002TV
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
Self
2001Movie
The Unknown Peter Sellers
Self
2000Movie
The Monty Python Story
Self
1999Movie
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Self
1999Movie
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Self
1999Movie
Monty Python: Pythonland
1999Movie
Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
1999TV
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Self
1998Movie
Fantasy World Cup
Self
1998TV
Parkinson
Self
1998TV
Fierce Creatures
Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
1997Movie
Palin on Redpath
Self - Presenter
1997Movie
Full Circle with Michael Palin
Self
1997TV
Palin on Redpath
Writer
1997Movie
Full Circle with Michael Palin
Writer
1997TV
The Wind in the Willows
The Sun
1996Movie
The Willows in Winter
Rat
1996Movie
Clive Anderson All Talk
Self
1996TV
TFI Friday
1996TV
The Wind in the Willows
Rat (voice)
1995Movie
The Frank Skinner Show
Self
1995TV
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
Various
1993Movie
Meridian: The First Ten Minutes
Self
1993Movie
The First Night of Meridian
Self - Host
1993Movie
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993TV
Pole to Pole
Self
1992TV
Pole to Pole
Writer
1992TV
American Friends
Rev. Francis Ashby
1991Movie
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
Narrator (voice)
1991Movie
G.B.H.
Jim Nelson
1991TV
American Friends
Writer
1991Movie
Life of Python
Self / Various Roles
1990Movie
Viz: The Documentary
Self
1990Movie
The Witches
Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
1990Movie
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self
1989Movie
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
1989Movie
The Movie Life of George
Self
1989Movie
The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin
Self
1989Movie
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
Self
1989TV
Michael Palin: The Art of Travel
1989TV
The Simpsons
Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
1989TV
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Writer
1989Movie
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
Writer
1989TV
A Fish Called Wanda
Ken Pile
1988Movie
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
Self
1988Movie
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Self
1988Movie
Number 27
Writer
1988Movie
Consuming Passions
Theatre Play
1988Movie
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
1987Movie
Going Live!
Self
1987TV
Daytime Live
1987TV
East of Ipswich
Writer
1987Movie
Comedians Do It On Stage
Self
1986Movie
Omnibus Presents Comic Relief
1986TV
Brazil
Jack Lint
1985Movie
Friday People
1985TV
Screen Two
Writer
1985TV
A Private Function
Gilbert Chilvers
1984Movie
The Dress
Howard
1984Movie
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Various Roles
1983Movie
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
Workman
1983Movie
Comic Roots: Michael Palin
Self / Jealous Reporter
1983Movie
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Screenplay
1983Movie
Comic Roots: Michael Palin
Writer
1983Movie
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Various Roles
1982Movie
The Missionary
The Reverend Charles Fortescue
1982Movie
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self - Various Roles
1982Movie
Wogan
Self
1982TV
The Missionary
Writer
1982Movie
The Missionary
Producer
1982Movie
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Writer
1982Movie
Time Bandits
Vincent
1981Movie
The Box
(voice)
1981Movie
Time Bandits
Writer
1981Movie
The Box
Screenplay
1981Movie
Travels with Palin
Self
1980TV
Great Railway Journeys
Self - Presenter
1980TV
Great Railway Journeys
Writer
1980TV
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
1979Movie
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Various Roles
1979Movie
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Self
1979Movie
Whinfrey's Last Case
Gerald Whinfrey
1979Movie
Golden Gordon
Gordon Ottershaw
1979Movie
Roger of the Raj
Roger
1979Movie
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
1979TV
Life of Brian
Screenplay
1979Movie
Roger of the Raj
Writer
1979Movie
Golden Gordon
Writer
1979Movie
Whinfrey's Last Case
Writer
1979Movie
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
Eric Manchester
1978Movie
Jabberwocky
Dennis Cooper
1977Movie
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite
Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
1977Movie
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B
Major Errol Phipps
1977Movie
Murder at Moorstones Manor
Charles Chiddingford
1977Movie
Across the Andes by Frog
Captain Walter Snetterton
1977Movie
The Curse of the Claw
Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
1977Movie
The Broken Bottle
1977Movie
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite
Writer
1977Movie
Across the Andes by Frog
Writer
1977Movie
Murder at Moorstones Manor
Writer
1977Movie
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B
Writer
1977Movie
The Curse of the Claw
Writer
1977Movie
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Self
1976Movie
Tomkinson's Schooldays
Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
1976Movie
Ripping Yarns
1976TV
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self
1976TV
Tomkinson's Schooldays
Writer
1976Movie
Ripping Yarns
Writer
1976TV
Ripping Yarns
Creator
1976TV
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!
1975Movie
Three Men in a Boat
Harris
1975Movie
Saturday Night Live
Self - Co-Host
1975TV
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self
1975TV
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Writer
1975Movie
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Self
1974Movie
Henry Cleans Up
Henry
1974Movie
Henry Cleans Up
Writer
1974Movie
Is This a Record?
Various
1973Movie
Monty Python In The Netherlands
Pie Face 3
1973Movie
Secrets
Writer
1973Movie
Is This a Record?
Additional Writing
1973Movie
Black and Blue
Writer
1973TV
The Philosophers' Football Match
Nietzsche
1972Movie
Pebble Mill at One
1972TV
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
Various Characters
1972TV
Full House
Various
1972TV
And Now for Something Completely Different
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
1971Movie
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1971Movie
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971Movie
Film '72
Self
1971TV
And Now for Something Completely Different
Screenplay
1971Movie
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
Writer
1971Movie
The Two Ronnies
Writer
1971TV
Ending It All
1970Movie
Monty Python: Who's There?
Ken
1970Movie
How to Irritate People
Various
1969Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Various / "It's" man
1969TV
The Complete and Utter History of Britain
1969TV
The Complete and Utter History of Britain
Writer
1969TV
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Writer
1969TV
The Complete and Utter History of Britain
Creator
1969TV
Frost on Sunday
Self / Various Characters
1968TV
Do Not Adjust Your Set
Various Characters
1967TV
Twice a Fortnight
1967TV
A Series of Bird's
1967TV
Do Not Adjust Your Set
Writer
1967TV
A Series of Bird's
Additional Writing
1967TV
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
1966Movie
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
salesman
—Movie
Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python
Writer
—Movie
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Creator
—TV