Michael Palin

Acting

Born May 05, 1943

From Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK

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

7.8

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!

7.8

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

7.2

A Fish Called Wanda

Ken Pile

6.6

The Magic Faraway Tree

Know All

7.7

Brazil

Jack Lint

7.3

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Various Roles

6.8

Arthur Christmas

Ernie Clicker (voice)

7.0

The Death of Stalin

Vyacheslav Molotov

6.9

The Witches

Witch at Meeting (uncredited)

5.9

Absolutely Anything

Kindly Alien (voice)

Filmography — Acting

7.8

1975

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!

7.8

1979

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

7.2

1988

A Fish Called Wanda

Ken Pile

6.6

2026

The Magic Faraway Tree

Know All

7.7

1985

Brazil

Jack Lint

7.3

1983

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Various Roles

6.8

2011

Arthur Christmas

Ernie Clicker (voice)

7.0

2017

The Death of Stalin

Vyacheslav Molotov

6.9

1990

The Witches

Witch at Meeting (uncredited)

5.9

2015

Absolutely Anything

Kindly Alien (voice)

6.6

1981

Time Bandits

Vincent

And Now for Something Completely Different

7.2

1971

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