As a member of Monty Python, he revolutionized the comedy genre and became a cult figure. Few have shaped British humor as much as John Cleese. Even at 85, he’s always looking for the next laugh.
Sometimes just a keyword or the name of one of the legendary Monty Python sketches in which John Cleese appeared is enough. Those in the know are already starting to laugh. “The Dead Parrot”, “The Ministry of Silly Gangs” or the Black Knight from the film “The Knights of the Coconut” are great moments of British humor. Hardly anyone has had such a lasting impact on this humor as John Cleese. The British actor and comedian turns 85 this Sunday (October 27th).
Born in 1939 in Weston-super-Mare, England, Cleese showed his talent for humor at an early age. The law student joined the comedy group Monty Python, who launched their television series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” in 1969. The mixture of surreal humor, absurd sketches and political asides changed British television forever and is considered visionary. Cleese’s dry, often angry style quickly made the rascal the unmistakable figure of the troupe.
In “The Dead Parrot” he discusses with the owner of a pet shop, who tries to make him believe that the dead parrot he just bought is just sleeping. His strange walk in the “Ministry of Silly Walks” is one of Monty Python’s most famous scenes, as is the black knight, who loses all of his limbs in battle and still refuses to admit defeat. “All right, let’s agree to a draw.”
Cult film “The Life of Brian”
After the end of the television series, several Monty Python films were released in cinemas, including the most famous: “The Life of Brian”. The satire centers on a man who is born on the same day as Jesus and, through a series of misunderstandings, is mistakenly worshiped as the Messiah.
The film caused controversy upon its release in 1979 and was misunderstood by religious groups as blasphemous. “The Life of Brian” is not a criticism of religion, but rather a satire on political movements and religious sects. Some cinemas boycotted the film. Today he enjoys cult status.
A cult series, many films and James Bond
In addition to Monty Python, Cleese is best known for his role in the series “Fawlty Towers”, which aired on the BBC in 1975. In it he plays the hotel owner Basil Fawlty, whose choleric temper creates many funny moments. Cleese wrote the scripts with his first wife Connie Booth, who had already appeared in “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” and plays the maid Polly in “Fawlty Towers”.
Fawlty’s line “Don’t mention the war!” (German: Don’t mention the war!) from the episode “The Germans” is still jokingly quoted in Great Britain today when talking about Germany and the Second World War.
In the 80s, Cleese took on small and large roles in films. His best-known include the fantasy film “Time Bandits” (1981), directed by Monty Python colleague Terry Gilliam, “Clockwise – That’s right, Mr. Simpson” (1986) and the cult comedy “A Fish Called Wanda” (1987). , which also stars Monty Python’s Michael Palin.
Cleese took on numerous speaking roles and guest appearances throughout his career, such as “Man Who Looks Like John Cleese” in the comedy “Bullseye”. At the end of the 90s he played the successor to Armsmaster Q in two James Bond films with Pierce Brosnan and the house ghost of Gryffindor in two Harry Potter films.
Theater production and a planned reboot
After bringing “Fawlty Towers” to the theater stage in London this year, although without taking part in it himself, he is now working on a reboot for television with his daughter Camilla. Cleese wants to bring Basil Fawlty into the present – with everything that annoys him. The fact that he was criticized for this on social media left him cold.
For years he has been annoyed by political correctness and sensitivities. “I don’t think people with a lack of humor should dictate what people with a sense of humor can enjoy.”
Last year, John Cleese, who rejected the knighthood intended for him as “silly”, went on a major world tour. The title: “Last chance to see me before I die” – “the last chance to see me before I die”. Most recently he was busy working on a stage version of “The Life of Brian.”
Four marriages and two daughters
Why does he still work so much at over 80? “Well, it’s because of the divorce, darling,” Cleese recently said with characteristic sarcasm on the British TV talk show “Lorraine.” “If it weren’t for that, I’d be lying in the sun.” This meant his divorce from his third wife Alyce in 2008. A court in California ruled that he had to pay her around $20 million. He called his subsequent stand-up tour, with a wink, the “Alimony Tour”.
The comedian was married to Connie Booth from 1968 to 1978. They continued to work together on Fawlty Towers while they were separated and remain friends to this day. The marriage resulted in daughter Cynthia. The marriage to the US actress Barbara Trentham, Camilla’s mother, lasted from 1981 to 1990.
The British comedy star has been married to former model and jewelry designer Jennifer Wade since 2012. The age difference of 31 years doesn’t matter because they both have a similarly weird sense of humor. “We are soul mates,” John Cleese told Hello magazine. “When people see us together, they notice it straight away.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
