John Marwood Cleese
- Born:
- October 27, 1939, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Actor, Comedian, Writer, Producer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Reginald Francis Cleese and Muriel Evelyn (Cross) Cleese.
- Educated at St Peter's Preparatory School and Clifton College.
- Read Law at Downing College, Cambridge, graduating with a 2:1 degree.
- Active in Footlights Dramatic Club at Cambridge, writing and performing in revues.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career writing for and appearing in various BBC radio and television programs in the 1960s.
- Co-founded the Monty Python comedy troupe in 1969.
- Co-wrote and starred in the sitcom Fawlty Towers (1975, 1979), winning BAFTA Awards.
- Achieved international recognition for his work in the Monty Python films and television series.
- Established Video Arts, a successful corporate training video production company.
- Has continued to act in film and television roles, including appearances in the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises.
- Explored psychology and creativity through lectures and writing.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1971 | And Now for Something Completely Different | Various roles |
| 1975 | Monty Python and the Holy Grail | Various roles |
| 1979 | Monty Python's Life of Brian | Various roles |
| 1988 | A Fish Called Wanda | Archie Leach |
| 2001 | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | Nearly Headless Nick |
| 2002 | Die Another Day | Q |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1969-1974 | Monty Python's Flying Circus | Various roles |
| 1975, 1979 | Fawlty Towers | Basil Fawlty |
Books
- Families and How to Survive Them (1991, with Robin Skynner)
- Life and How to Survive It (1996, with Robin Skynner)
- So, Anyway... (2014, autobiography)
Legacy and Impact
John Cleese is a highly influential figure in comedy, renowned for his distinctive physical comedy, satirical writing, and iconic characters. His work with Monty Python and Fawlty Towers has had a lasting impact on British and international comedy. Any serious "john cleese biography review" would have to acknowledge the enormous impact he has had on comedy, not just as a performer but also as a writer and producer.