About

Known credits:
210
Birthday:
1943-05-05
Place of birth:
Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK
Website:
Click here

Michael Palin

Overview

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.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Palin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known for

Acting
2024 Michael Palin in Nigeria Actor Self 69
Fair
2024 How To Make It In Comedy Actor N/A
N/A
2023 Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs Actor Self N/A
N/A
2022 Michael Palin: Into Iraq Actor 70
Good
2022 The Fringe, Fame and Me Actor Self N/A
N/A
2021 Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated Actor Self (archive footage)(uncredited) N/A
N/A
2020 Jeepers Creepers Actor Newscaster (voice) N/A
N/A
2020 Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime Actor Self - Host 69
Fair
2020 Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation Actor Self 59
Average
2020 Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy Actor Self 59
Average
2019 Worzel Gummidge Actor The Green Man 68
Fair
2019 Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2019 An Accidental Studio Actor Self 59
Average
2019 Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2018 Michael Palin in North Korea Actor Himself - Host 70
Good
2018 Vanity Fair Actor William Makepeace Thackeray 71
Good
2018 Michael Palin: A Life on Screen Actor 59
Average
2017 The Death of Stalin Actor Vyacheslav Molotov 67
Fair
2016 Generation '66 Actor 59
Average
2016 Attenborough at 90 Actor Self 58
Average
2015 Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia Actor Himself 59
Average
2015 Absolutely Anything Actor Kindly Alien (voice) 58
Average
2014 Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule Actor Self 59
Average
2014 Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2014 Remember Me Actor Tom Parfitt 69
Fair
2014 Monty Python: The Meaning of Live Actor Self 59
Average
2014 Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2014 Monty Python Live (Mostly) Actor Self, others 60
Fair
2014 Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar Actor Self 59
Average
2014 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy Actor Self 59
Average
2014 Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns Actor N/A
N/A
2014 The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything Actor N/A
N/A
2014 Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns Actor Self N/A
N/A
2013 Michael Palin In Wyeth's World Actor Himself 59
Average
2013 The Meaning of Monty Python Actor Self 59
Average
2013 The Wipers Times Actor General Mitford 59
Average
2013 Frost on Sketch Shows Actor Self 59
Average
2012 Anatomy of a Liar Actor Self 59
Average
2012 Brazil with Michael Palin Actor Self (Presenter) 69
Fair
2012 Produced By George Martin Actor Self 59
Average
2012 A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman Actor Various (voice) 59
Average
2012 The Secret Policeman's Ball Actor Self 59
Average
2011 Arthur Christmas Actor Ernie Clicker (voice) 65
Fair
2011 Making Qi Actor Self N/A
N/A
2010 Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall Actor N/A
N/A
2010 Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) Actor Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis 59
Average
2009 Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Actor Self 72
Good
2009 Monty Python in Aberystwyth Actor Self N/A
N/A
2009 Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Around the World in 20 Years Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2008 The Last Day of World War One Actor Presenter N/A
N/A
2008 Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' Actor Self N/A
N/A
2008 Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' Actor Self N/A
N/A
2008 Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus Actor Self 59
Average
2008 The Seventh Python Actor Self N/A
N/A
2008 What Is Brazil? Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Life Of Brian Screenplay Actor Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper N/A
N/A
2008 Monty Python Conquers America Actor Self 59
Average
2007 Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind Actor Gariiiiiii (voice) 59
Average
2007 Michael Palin's New Europe Actor Himself 70
Good
2007 Hitler: The Comedy Years Actor Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited) 59
Average
2007 What the Pythons Did Next... Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2007 The Secret Life of Brian Actor Self 60
Fair
2006 The South Bank Show: Spamalot Actor N/A
N/A
2006 50 Films to See Before You Die Actor Self 59
Average
2006 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Michael Palin's Personal Best Actor N/A
N/A
2006 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Graham Chapman's Personal Best Actor Various Characters 59
Average
2006 Monty Python's Personal Best Actor Self / Various Characters 68
Fair
2005 The Roots of Monty Python Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2005 John Peel's Record Box Actor Self 59
Average
2005 The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus 16-Ton Megaset Actor 62
Fair
2005 Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi Actor Host 59
Average
2004 Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? Actor Self 59
Average
2004 Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' Actor Self 59
Average
2004 Himalaya with Michael Palin Actor Self - Presenter 71
Good
2004 The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2004 The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2004 The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2003 Concert for George Actor Self 61
Fair
2003 The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' Actor Self 59
Average
2003 Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse Actor Narrator N/A
N/A
2002 Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television Actor Himself - Presenter 59
Average
2002 Sahara with Michael Palin Actor Self - Presenter 70
Good
2002 Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute Actor Self N/A
N/A
2001 The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations Actor Self 59
Average
2000 The Unknown Peter Sellers Actor Himself 59
Average
1999 Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure Actor 69
Fair
1999 Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm Actor Self N/A
N/A
1999 Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches Actor Self N/A
N/A
1999 The Monty Python Story Actor Self N/A
N/A
1999 Monty Python: Pythonland Actor N/A
N/A
1998 Monty Python: Live at Aspen Actor Self 59
Average
1997 Palin on Redpath Actor Himself / Presenter N/A
N/A
1997 Full Circle with Michael Palin Actor Himself 70
Good
1997 Fierce Creatures Actor Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone 59
Average
1996 The Willows in Winter Actor Rat 59
Average
1996 The Wind in the Willows Actor The Sun 58
Average
1995 The Wind in the Willows Actor Rat 59
Average
1994 Michael Palin's Greatest Railway Journey: Derry To Kerry Actor Self N/A
N/A
1994 Great Railway Journeys - Derry to Kerry Actor Himself N/A
N/A
1993 Tracey Ullman: A Class Act Actor Various N/A
N/A
1992 Pole to Pole Actor Himself 71
Good
1991 The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam Actor N/A
N/A
1991 Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk Actor Narrator (voice) N/A
N/A
1991 G.B.H. Actor Jim Nelson 68
Fair
1991 American Friends Actor Rev. Francis Ashby 59
Average
1990 Viz: The Documentary Actor Self N/A
N/A
1990 Life of Python Actor Self / Various Roles 59
Average
1989 Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python Actor Self / Various Characters 59
Average
1989 The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin Actor Self N/A
N/A
1989 Michael Palin: The Art of Travel Actor N/A
N/A
1989 Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days Actor Himself 70
Good
1989 The Movie Life of George Actor Self N/A
N/A
1989 The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball Actor Self 59
Average
1988 A Fish Called Wanda Actor Ken Pile 69
Fair
1988 John Cleese's First Farewell Performance Actor Self 59
Average
1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament Actor Self 59
Average
1986 Omnibus Presents Comic Relief Actor N/A
N/A
1986 Comedians Do It On Stage Actor Self N/A
N/A
1985 Brazil Actor Jack Lint 74
Good
1984 A Private Function Actor Gilbert Chilvers 59
Average
1984 The Dress Actor Howard N/A
N/A
1983 Comic Roots: Michael Palin Actor N/A
N/A
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Actor Various Roles 70
Good
1983 The Crimson Permanent Assurance Actor Workman 61
Fair
1982 The Missionary Actor The Reverend Charles Fortescue 58
Average
1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl Actor Various Roles 62
Fair
1982 The Secret Policeman's Other Ball Actor Self - Various Roles 59
Average
1981 Time Bandits Actor Vincent 63
Fair
1981 The Box Actor (voice) 59
Average
1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter Actor Himself 59
Average
1980 Travels with Palin Actor Himself 70
Good
1979 The Secret Policeman's Ball Actor Various Roles 59
Average
1979 1979 Life Of Brian Debate Actor Himself N/A
N/A
1979 Roger of the Raj Actor Roger N/A
N/A
1979 Golden Gordon Actor Gordon Ottershaw N/A
N/A
1979 Whinfrey's Last Case Actor Gerald Whinfrey N/A
N/A
1979 Life of Brian Actor Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus 76
Good
1979 The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 Actor Self 59
Average
1978 The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash Actor Eric Manchester 60
Fair
1977 The Curse of the Claw Actor Kevin Orr N/A
N/A
1977 Murder at Moorstones Manor Actor Charles Chiddingford N/A
N/A
1977 Escape from Stalag Luft 112B Actor Major Errol Phipps N/A
N/A
1977 The Testing of Eric Olthwaite Actor Eric Olthwaite N/A
N/A
1977 The Broken Bottle Actor N/A
N/A
1977 Jabberwocky Actor Dennis Cooper 59
Average
1976 Pleasure at Her Majesty's Actor Self 58
Average
1976 The Secret Policeman's Ball Actor Self N/A
N/A
1976 Tomkinson's Schooldays Actor Tomkinson N/A
N/A
1976 Ripping Yarns Actor 70
Good
1975 Three Men in a Boat Actor Harris 58
Average
1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail Actor 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! 76
Good
1974 Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report Actor Self N/A
N/A
1974 Henry Cleans Up Actor Henry N/A
N/A
1973 Is This a Record? Actor Various 59
Average
1973 Monty Python In The Netherlands Actor N/A
N/A
1972 Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus Actor Various Characters 69
Fair
1971 The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 Actor N/A
N/A
1971 Euroshow '71: May Day Special Actor Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus) N/A
N/A
1970 Monty Python: Who's There? Actor Ken 59
Average
1970 Ending It All Actor N/A
N/A
1969 Clangers Actor Narrator (voice) 69
Fair
1969 Monty Python's Flying Circus Actor Various / "It's" man 81
Very good
1969 How to Irritate People Actor Various 59
Average
1969 The Complete and Utter History of Britain Actor 69
Fair
1968 Frost on Sunday Actor 69
Fair
1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set Actor Various Characters 69
Fair
1967 Twice a Fortnight Actor N/A
N/A
1966 Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World Actor Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited) 58
Average
The Magic Faraway Tree Actor N/A
N/A
Across the Andes by Frog Actor Captain Walter Snetterton N/A
N/A
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch Actor salesman N/A
N/A

Directing
1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter Directing Director 59
Average

Writing
2024 Time Bandits Writing Characters 65
Fair
2014 Monty Python Live (Mostly) Writing Writer 60
Fair
2013 Michael Palin In Wyeth's World Writing Writer 59
Average
2008 Around the World in 20 Years Writing Writer N/A
N/A
2008 Life Of Brian Screenplay Writing Screenplay N/A
N/A
2004 Himalaya with Michael Palin Writing Writer 71
Good
1997 Palin on Redpath Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1997 Full Circle with Michael Palin Writing Writer 70
Good
1994 Michael Palin's Greatest Railway Journey: Derry To Kerry Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1994 Great Railway Journeys - Derry to Kerry Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1992 Pole to Pole Writing Writer 71
Good
1991 American Friends Writing Writer 59
Average
1989 Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python Writing Writer 59
Average
1989 Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days Writing Writer 70
Good
1988 Consuming Passions Writing Theatre Play 59
Average
1988 Number 27 Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1987 East of Ipswich Writing Writer 59
Average
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Writing Screenplay 70
Good
1982 The Missionary Writing Writer 58
Average
1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl Writing Writer 62
Fair
1981 Time Bandits Writing Writer 63
Fair
1981 The Box Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter Writing Writer 59
Average
1979 Roger of the Raj Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1979 Golden Gordon Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1979 Life of Brian Writing Screenplay 76
Good
1977 The Testing of Eric Olthwaite Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1976 Tomkinson's Schooldays Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail Writing Writer 76
Good
1974 Henry Cleans Up Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1973 Secrets Writing Writer 59
Average
1971 The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 Writing Writer N/A
N/A

Production
1982 The Missionary Production Producer 58
Average

Crew
2020 Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation Crew Thanks 59
Average
1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter Crew Presenter 59
Average
1973 Is This a Record? Crew Additional Writing 59
Average