Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersIndependent Spirit AwardsWomen's History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Michael Palin

  • Actor
  • Writer
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Michael Palin in The Meaning of Life (1983)
Watch Under the Radar: The Mike Edmonds Story (Extended Cut) Trailer
Play trailer1:55
Under the Radar: The Mike Edmonds Story (2019)
32 Videos
99+ Photos
Michael Palin is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter. He was one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python.

After the Monty Python television series ended in 1974, the Palin/Jones team worked on Ripping Yarns, an intermittent television comedy series broadcast over three years from 1976. In 1980, Palin co-wrote Time Bandits with Terry Gilliam. He also acted in the film. In 1984, he reunited with Terry Gilliam to appear in Brazil. He appeared in the comedy film A Fish Called Wanda (1988), for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
BornMay 5, 1943
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMay 5, 1943
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro
  • Won 3 BAFTA Awards
    • 9 wins & 8 nominations total

Photos189

Michael Palin in Journey's End (2007)
Michael Palin in Journey's End (2007)
Michael Palin in Journey's End (2007)
Michael Palin in Journey's End (2007)
Michael Palin in Journey's End (2007)
Michael Palin in From Pole to Pole (2007)
Michael Palin in From Pole to Pole (2007)
Michael Palin in From Pole to Pole (2007)
Michael Palin in From Pole to Pole (2007)
Michael Palin in From Pole to Pole (2007)
Michael Palin in Baltic Summer (2007)
Michael Palin in Baltic Summer (2007)

Known for

John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
8.2
  • 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!
  • 1975
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in The Meaning of Life (1983)
The Meaning of Life
7.5
  • Window Washer
  • Harry
  • Fish #5
  • Mr. Pycroft
  • Dad
  • Narrator #1
  • Chaplain
  • Carter
  • Spadger
  • Regimental Sergeant Major
  • Pakenham-Walsh
  • Rear End
  • Female TV Presenter
  • Mr. Marvin Hendy
  • Governor
  • Leaf Son
  • Debbie Katzenberg
  • 1983
Time Bandits (1981)
Time Bandits
6.9
  • Vincent
  • 1981
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Life of Brian (1979)
Life of Brian
8.0
  • Wise Man #3
  • Mr. Big Nose
  • Francis
  • Mrs. A
  • Ex-Leper
  • Announcer
  • Ben
  • Pontius Pilate
  • Boring Prophet
  • Eddie
  • Shoe Follower
  • Nisus Wettus
  • 1979

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Michael Sheen and David Tennant in Staged (2020)
    Staged
    • Michael Palin
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • Jeepers Creepers (2020)
    Jeepers Creepers
    • Newscaster (voice)
    • 2020
  • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in The Simpsons (1989)
    The Simpsons
    • Museum Curator (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2020
  • Mackenzie Crook, Thierry Wickens, and India Brown in Worzel Gummidge (2019)
    Worzel Gummidge
    • The Green Man
    • TV Series
    • 2019
  • Olivia Cooke in Vanity Fair (2018)
    Vanity Fair
    • William Makepeace Thackeray
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2018
  • The Death of Stalin (2017)
    The Death of Stalin
    • Vyacheslav Molotov
    • 2017
  • Clangers (2015)
    Clangers
    • Narrator
    • TV Series
    • 2015–2016
  • Kylie Minogue: Absolutely Anything and Anything at All (2015)
    Kylie Minogue: Absolutely Anything and Anything at All
    • Kindly Alien (voice)
    • Music Video
    • 2015
  • Robin Williams, Kate Beckinsale, Simon Pegg, and Mojo in Absolutely Anything (2015)
    Absolutely Anything
    • Kindly Alien (voice)
    • 2015
  • Michael Palin, Mark Addy, and Jodie Comer in Remember Me (2014)
    Remember Me
    • Tom Parfitt
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2014
  • Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014)
    Monty Python Live (Mostly)
    • Spanish Man
    • Fourth Yorkshireman
    • Harry Blackitt ...
    • 2014
  • The Wipers Times (2013)
    The Wipers Times
    • General Mitford
    • TV Movie
    • 2013
  • A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012)
    A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
    • Michael Palin
    • Graham's Father
    • Interview Don #1 (voice) ...
    • 2012
  • The Secret Policeman's Ball (2012)
    The Secret Policeman's Ball
    • Michael Palin
    • TV Special
    • 2012
  • Arthur Christmas (2011)
    Arthur Christmas
    • Ernie Clicker (voice)
    • 2011

Writer

  • Time Bandits
    • based on the film by
    • Pre-production
    • TV Series
  • Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014)
    Monty Python Live (Mostly)
    • Writer
    • 2014
  • Michael Palin in Wyeth's World (2013)
    Michael Palin in Wyeth's World
    • Writer (uncredited)
    • 2013
  • Brazil with Michael Palin (2012)
    Brazil with Michael Palin
    • written by
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2012
  • Around the World in 20 Years (2008)
    Around the World in 20 Years
    • written by
    • TV Movie
    • 2008
  • Michael Palin in New Europe (2007)
    New Europe
    • writer
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2007
  • Michael Palin in Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004)
    Himalaya with Michael Palin
    • written by
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2004
  • The Mystery of the Missing Morsel of Murder at Moorstones Manor
    • Writer
    • Video
    • 2004
  • The Best of the Two Ronnies: Volume 2
    • Writer
    • Video
    • 2003
  • Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School
    • Writer
    • Video
    • 2003
  • Sahara with Michael Palin (2002)
    Sahara with Michael Palin
    • writer
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2002
  • Eric Idle: Exploits Monty Python (2002)
    Eric Idle: Exploits Monty Python
    • Writer
    • 2002
  • The Best of the Two Ronnies (2001)
    The Best of the Two Ronnies
    • Writer
    • Video
    • 2001
  • Michael Palin on... the Colourists
    • Writer (uncredited)
    • TV Movie
    • 2000
  • Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python (1999)
    Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python
    • Writer
    • TV Movie
    • 1999
  • Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure (1999)
    Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
    • written by
    • TV Series
    • 1999

Additional Crew

  • John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin in Fierce Creatures (1997)
    Fierce Creatures
    • idea
    • 1997
  • Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
    Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
    • stage director (as Monty Python)
    • 1982
  • And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
    And Now for Something Completely Different
    • presenter (as Monty Python)
    • 1971

Videos34

Trailer
Trailer 2:12
Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:39
Official Trailer
Trailer [OV]
Trailer 1:29
Trailer [OV]
Trailer
Trailer 2:51
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:23
Trailer
U.S. Version
Trailer 0:31
U.S. Version
Jabberwocky
Trailer 1:26
Jabberwocky
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 40th Anniversary
Trailer 2:30
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 40th Anniversary
Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life
Trailer 1:04
Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life
Brazil: The Criterion Collection
Trailer 1:32
Brazil: The Criterion Collection
Ripping Yarns: The Complete Series
Trailer 1:22
Ripping Yarns: The Complete Series
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Trailer 3:44
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Palin's Travels
    • PythOnline
  • Alternative names
    • Michael Palin CBE
  • Height
    • 5′ 10½″ (1.79 m)
  • Born
    • May 5, 1943
    • Ranmoor, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK
  • Spouse
    • Helen GibbinsApril 16, 1966 - present (3 children)
  • Children
    • Rachel Palin
  • Other works
    Radio (2005): Presented "Peter Cook in His Own Words", a four-part documentary about British comedian Peter Cook, on BBC Radio 4.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 2 Portrayals
    • 7 Interviews
    • 10 Articles
    • 1 Pictorial
    • 5 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Credits fellow Python Terry Gilliam with getting him to quit smoking. Gilliam had been having dinner with Palin and his wife Helen at the Palins' home one evening in April 1969. Afterwards, Michael discovered he had run out of cigarettes and became increasingly panicky when he failed to find coins for the cigarette slot machine up the road anywhere. Gilliam, half joking, half worried, called Michael an addict, resulting in Michael denying himself a cigarette and never buying a pack again.
  • Quotes
    [From an interview about the late Graham Chapman]: "He always regarded death as highly overrated and could never understand why anybody made such a fuss about it".
  • Trademarks
      Frequently the most abused, ill-fated characters in a given Monty Python sketch or film
  • Salary
    • Jabberwocky
      (1977)
      £6,000

Related news

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
  • Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • IMDb Developer
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.