Michael Palin
Acting
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.
Known for
Acting220
movieThe Magic Faraway Tree
2026
Know All
tvSmall Prophets
2026
Brian Sleep
tvMichael Palin in Venezuela
2025
Self - Host
tvThe Secret Life of Trees
2025
Self - Narrator
movieMonty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
2021
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
movieJeepers Creepers
2020
Newscaster (voice)
tvMichael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime
2020
Self - Host
tvStaged
2020
Michael
tvWorzel Gummidge
2019
The Green Man
moviePython at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
2019
Self (archive footage)
tvMichael Palin in North Korea
2018
Self - Host
tvVanity Fair
2018
William Makepeace Thackeray
movieThe Death of Stalin
2017
Vyacheslav Molotov
tvClangers
2015
Narrator (voice)
movieAbsolutely Anything
2015
Kindly Alien (voice)
tvRemember Me
2014
Tom Parfitt
tvMonty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
2014
Self (archive footage)
movieMonty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
Self, others
movieThe Wipers Times
2013
General Mitford
tvBrazil with Michael Palin
2012
Self (Presenter)
movieArthur Christmas
2011
Ernie Clicker (voice)
tvZULU Comedy Galla
2010
Michael Palin
movieNot the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
2010
Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
Life Of Brian Screenplay
2008
Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
movieRobbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
2007
Gariiiiiii (voice)
movieHitler: The Comedy Years
2007
Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieWhat the Pythons Did Next...
2007
Self (archive footage)
tvLegends
2006
Self
tvThe One Show
2006
Self - Guest
movieMonty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
movieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
movieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
movieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
movieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
movieMonty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
2006
Various Characters
tvMonty Python's Personal Best
2006
Self / Various Characters
movieThe Roots of Monty Python
2005
Self (archive footage)
tvHimalaya with Michael Palin
2004
Self - Presenter
movieThe Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
2004
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
2004
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
2004
Self (archive footage)
tvSahara with Michael Palin
2002
Self - Presenter
tvParkinson
1998
Self
moviePalin on Redpath
1997
Self - Presenter
movieFierce Creatures
1997
Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
tvLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
Self - Guest
movieRabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
1991
Narrator (voice)
tvG.B.H.
1991
Jim Nelson
movieAmerican Friends
1991
Rev. Francis Ashby
movieThe Witches
1990
Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
movieLife of Python
1990
Self / Various Roles
tvThe Simpsons
1989
Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
movieParrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
1989
Self / Various Characters
movieA Fish Called Wanda
1988
Ken Pile
movieBrazil
1985
Jack Lint
movieA Private Function
1984
Gilbert Chilvers
movieThe Dress
1984
Howard
movieMonty Python's The Meaning of Life
1983
Various Roles
movieThe Missionary
1982
The Reverend Charles Fortescue
movieMonty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
Various Roles
tvWogan
1982
Self
movieThe Secret Policeman's Other Ball
1982
Self - Various Roles
movieTime Bandits
1981
Vincent
movieThe Box
1981
(voice)
tvGreat Railway Journeys
1980
Self - Presenter
movieThe Secret Policeman's Ball
1979
Various Roles
movieGolden Gordon
1979
Gordon Ottershaw
movieWhinfrey's Last Case
1979
Gerald Whinfrey
movieLife of Brian
1979
Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
movieThe Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
1978
Eric Manchester
movieThe Curse of the Claw
1977
Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
movieAcross the Andes by Frog
1977
Captain Walter Snetterton
movieMurder at Moorstones Manor
1977
Charles Chiddingford
movieEscape from Stalag Luft 112B
1977
Major Errol Phipps
movieThe Testing of Eric Olthwaite
1977
Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
movieJabberwocky
1977
Dennis Cooper
movieTomkinson's Schooldays
1976
Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
tvRipping Yarns
1976
Gerald Whinfrey / Roger / Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Co-Host / Self - Special Guest / Dick Savage (uncredited) / Self - Host / Self / Various (uncredited)
movieMonty Python and the Holy Grail
1975
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!
movieIs This a Record?
1973
Various
Full House
1972
Various
tvMonty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
1972
Various Characters
movieAnd Now for Something Completely Different
1971
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
movieEuroshow '71: May Day Special
1971
Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
tvMonty Python's Flying Circus
1969
Various / "It's" man
Frost on Sunday
1968
Self / Various Characters
tvDo Not Adjust Your Set
1967
Various Characters
movieIsadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
1966
Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
Writing47
tvTime Bandits
2024
Characters
moviePython Legs!
2012
Writer
tvPole to Pole
1992
Writer
movieNumber 27
1988
Writer
movieConsuming Passions
1988
Theatre Play
movieEast of Ipswich
1987
Writer
tvScreen Two
1985
Writer
movieThe Missionary
1982
Writer
movieTime Bandits
1981
Writer
movieThe Box
1981
Screenplay
movieGolden Gordon
1979
Writer
movieLife of Brian
1979
Screenplay
tvRipping Yarns
1976
Writer
movieHenry Cleans Up
1974
Writer
movieSecrets
1973
Writer
tvThe Two Ronnies
1971
Writer
Creator4
Crew3
Production1
movieThe Missionary
1982
Producer