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, Easte…
Movies & TV Shows
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The Simpsons (1989) — Springfield History Museum curator (voice)
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Monty 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!
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Life 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
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Brazil (1985) — Jack Lint
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A Fish Called Wanda (1988) — Ken Pile
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The Death of Stalin (2017) — Vyacheslav Molotov
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Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) — Various Roles
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Arthur Christmas (2011) — Ernie Clicker (voice)
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Absolutely Anything (2015) — Kindly Alien (voice)
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The Witches (1990) — Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
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Time Bandits (1981) — Vincent
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Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) — Various / "It's" man
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And 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
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Saturday Night Live (1975) — Self - Co-Host
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Fierce Creatures (1997) — Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
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Jabberwocky (1977) — Dennis Cooper
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The Graham Norton Show (2007) — Self
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Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) — Various Roles
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Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) — Self - Guest
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The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983) — Workman
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The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978) — Eric Manchester
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Staged (2020) — Michael
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Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014) — Self, others
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A Private Function (1984) — Gilbert Chilvers
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Concert for George (2003) — Self
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Vanity Fair (2018) — William Makepeace Thackeray
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The Wind in the Willows (1996) — The Sun
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The Missionary (1982) — The Reverend Charles Fortescue
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The Magic Faraway Tree (2026) — Know All
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A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012) — Various (voice)
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Remember Me (2014) — Tom Parfitt
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How to Irritate People (1969) — Various
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The Secret Life of Brian (2007) — Self
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The Wind in the Willows (1995) — Rat
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Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (2009) — Self
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Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (2010) — Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
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Small Prophets (2026) — Brian Sleep
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Monty Python: The Meaning of Live (2014) — Self
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Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days (1989) — Self
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The One Show (2006) — Self - Guest