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United Kingdom John Cleese is a renowned English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer, widely recognised for his foundational contributions to classic British comedy, including 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' and 'Fawlty Towers'.
John Cleese's influence is also felt in the corporate world as the founder of Video Arts, the world's largest provider of business training programs.
In 2010, Cleese appeared in advertisements for The Automobile Association.
In 2010, Cleese appeared in advertisements for the Canadian insurance company Pacific Blue Cross.
John and Jen Cleese's turtle will go to auction in October 2025, with 100% of sale proceeds going directly to support Tusk's work protecting marine wildlife.
His voice can be downloaded for directional guidance purposes as a downloadable option on some personal GPS-navigation device models by company TomTom.
In 2007, Cleese appeared in ads for Titleist as a golf course designer named "Ian MacCallister", who represents "Golf Designers Against Distance."
Towards the end of 2009 and into 2010, Cleese appeared in a series of television adverts for the Norwegian electric goods shop chain Elkjøp.
From 1988 to 1992, Cleese appeared in numerous television commercials for Schweppes Ginger Ale.
Between 1992 and 1994, he also appeared in some television commercials for Magnavox.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Royal Mail in the 1970s.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Texaco in 1975.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Accurist in 1978 and again in 2009.
Cleese appeared in advertisements for Sony from 1980–1982.
Cleese appeared as an interviewer in an advertisement for Giroblauw (Netherlands) in 1981.
Cleese appeared as himself in an advertisement for Postbank (Netherlands) in 1982.
Cleese appeared as an estate agent in an advertisement for EAC Multilist (Australia) in 1982.
Cleese appeared as himself in an advertisement for American Express in 1982.
Cleese appeared in advertisements for Compaq in the 1980s.
Cleese appeared in advertisements for Planters Pretzels (Australia) in the 1980s.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Maxwell House in 1986.
Cleese appeared in advertisements for Talking Pages in 1988 as a man who wants to marry a Princess and from 1992–1993 as Colin.
Cleese appeared as himself in an advertisement for Nestlé Milk Chocolate (Australia) in 1993.
Cleese appeared as 'Woman' in an advertisement for Cellnet in 1993.
Cleese appeared as himself in advertisements for Health Education Authority (Smoking Quitline) from 1993–1995.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Norwich Union Direct in 1996.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Tele Danmark (Denmark) in 1996.
Cleese appeared as a French chef in an advertisement for Tostitos in 1998.
Cleese provided voice-only work for an advertisement for Lexus in 1998.
Cleese appeared as himself in advertisements for Sainsbury's from 1998–1999.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Melba Toast in 1999.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Artistdirect.com in 1999.
Cleese appeared as R in an advertisement for the video game 007: Agent Under Fire in 2001.
Cleese appeared as himself in an advertisement for Little Tikes in 2002.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Heineken in 2002.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Westinghouse Unplugged vacuum cleaner in 2003.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Intel in 2005.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for TBS in 2006.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for TV Spielfilm (Germany) in 2006.
Cleese appeared in advertisements for Kaupþing (Iceland) from 2006–2008.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Bank Zachodni WBK (Poland) in 2008.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for Elgiganten (Sweden) in 2009.
Cleese appeared as a Western general in an advertisement for Hashahar Ha'oleh (Israel) in 2009.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for William Hill (Austria) in 2010.
Cleese provided voice-only work for an advertisement for Dogtober (Australia) in 2011.
Cleese appeared as himself in an advertisement for the Czech Olympic Team (Czech Republic) in 2012.
Cleese appeared in an advertisement for DirecTV in 2012.
Cleese provided voice-only work for an advertisement for Canadian Club (Australia) in 2012.
Cleese appeared as Basil Fawlty in an advertisement for Specsavers in 2015.
John Marwood Cleese was born on October 27, 1939, in Weston-Super-Mare, England. His early education at private schools, funded by his mother’s inheritance, exposed him to a varied environment where he discovered humour as a coping mechanism. He developed a strong interest in comedy, inspired by radio programmes like “The Goon Show.” Academically and athletically able, he pursued law at Cambridge University but dedicated considerable time to the Footlights group, writing and performing in comedy reviews. This period marked the beginning of collaborations with future Monty Python members, notably Graham Chapman, and led to successful tours with “Cambridge Circus” in New Zealand and America. Following his graduation, Cleese continued to develop his comedy writing for the BBC and participated in various television productions, including “At Last the 1948 Show,” alongside other notable comedic talents. These experiences culminated in the formation of Monty Python, an influential comedy troupe that redefined British humour.
Cleese’s career entered a new phase with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” which first aired in 1969. He co-created and starred in the sketch show, contributing significantly to its unique blend of surreal and absurdist humour. His role in shaping memorable characters and sketches, such as the “Dead Parrot sketch” and “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” cemented his status as a comedic innovator. Although he left the TV series after its third season due to creative differences and Chapman’s struggles, he reunited with the Pythons for their iconic films, including “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975), “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979), and “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life” (1983). Parallel to his Python work, Cleese co-wrote and starred in “Fawlty Towers” (1975-1979) with his then-wife Connie Booth, portraying the character Basil Fawlty. This series, though short-lived with only twelve episodes, garnered critical acclaim, including a British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance, and remains a significant contribution to television comedy.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Cleese diversified his work, appearing in films like the commercially successful “A Fish Called Wanda” (1988), which he also wrote and for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. He also took on roles in the James Bond series, initially as R and later as Q, starting with “The World Is Not Enough” (1999), and featured as Nearly Headless Nick in the early Harry Potter films (2001-2002). Beyond entertainment, Cleese founded Video Arts, a company producing business training videos that became highly successful. His involvement in education extended to serving as the Rector of the University of St Andrews from 1970 to 1973 and later as a professor-at-large at Cornell University. In recent years, he has continued to act, write, and perform in various projects, maintaining a consistent presence in both film and television.
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