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Michael Palin

Actor / Comedian / Screenwriter / Television Presenter | * 05/05/1943 (80) | Broomhill, Sheffield, England (United Kingdom (UK))
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Sir Michael Edward Palin, ( PAY-lin; born 5 May 1943) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter. He was a member of the Monty Python comedy group. He received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2013 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. Palin started in television working on programmes including the Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report, and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin joined Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974) alongside John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Graham Chapman. He acted in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot sketch", "The Lumberjack Song", "The Spanish Inquisition", "Bicycle Repair Man" and "The Fish-Slapping Dance". Palin continued to work with Jones away from Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. Palin co-wrote and starred in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), ()
Photo of Michael Palin
Most frequent genres for this person: Comedies | Documentaries | TV Movies

Known for these Movies & Shows

Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. Then there's the National Heal ...

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

16

1983 | 3.7/5 | 1h 47min
Comedy
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King Arthur, accompanied by his squire, recruits his Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Bedevere the Wise, Sir Lancelot the Brave, Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot and Sir Galah ...

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

15

1975 | 3.9/5 | 1h 31min
Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
available on:
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Young history buff Kevin can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being, they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabri ...

Time Bandits

Certification unknown

1981 | 3.3/5 | 1h 56min
Kids & Family, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Comedy
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Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his followers or being scolded by his shrill mother, ...

Life of Brian

13

1979 | 3.9/5 | 1h 34min
Comedy
available on:
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Awards & Nominations for Michael Palin

Commander of The Order of The British Empire Patron’s Medal BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role BAFTA Fellowship James Joyce Award European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award Knight Commander of The Order of St Michael and St George Ness Award Livingstone Medal BAFTA Award for Best Original Song BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role British Academy Television Award for Best Actor BAFTA Fellowship
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Movies with Michael Palin as Actor(82)

as himself2020 Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
as Newscaster (voice)2020 Jeepers Creepers
as himself2019 Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
as himself2019 An Accidental Studio
as Vyacheslav Molotov2017 The Death of Stalin
as himself2016 Attenborough at 90
as himself2015 Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
as Kindly Alien (voice)2015 Absolutely Anything
as himself2014 Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
as himself2014 Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
as himself2014 Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
as himself2014 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
as himself2014 Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
as Self, others2014 Monty Python: Live (Mostly)
as himself2013 Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
as himself2013 Frost on Sketch Shows
as himself2013 The Meaning of Monty Python
as General Mitford2013 The Wipers Times
as himself2012 The Secret Policeman's Ball
as Various (voice)2012 A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
as himself2012 Anatomy of a Liar
2012 Produced By George Martin
as Ernie Clicker (voice)2011 Arthur Christmas
as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis2010 Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
as himself2008 Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
as Presenter2008 The Last Day of World War One
as himself2008 What Is Brazil?
as himself2008 Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
as himself2008 The Seventh Python
as himself2008 Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
as Gariiiiiii (voice)2007 Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
as himself2007 Hitler: The Comedy Years
as himself2007 The Secret Life of Brian
as himself2005 John Peel's Record Box
as Host2005 Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
as himself2004 Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
as himself2004 Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
as himself2003 Concert for George
as himself2003 The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
as Himself - Presenter2002 Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
as himself2001 The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
as himself2000 The Unknown Peter Sellers
as himself1998 Monty Python: Live at Aspen
as Rat1997 The Willows in Winter
as Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone1997 Fierce Creatures
as The Sun1996 The Wind in the Willows
as Rat1995 The Wind in the Willows
as Various1993 Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
as Rev. Francis Ashby1991 American Friends
as himself1990 Viz: The Documentary
as Self / Various Roles1990 Life of Python
as Witch at Meeting1990 The Witches
as himself1989 The Movie Life of George
as himself1989 Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
as himself1989 The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
as Ken Pile1988 A Fish Called Wanda
as himself1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament
as Jack Lint1985 Brazil
as Howard1984 The Dress
as Gilbert Chilvers1984 A Private Function
as Various Roles1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
as Workman1983 The Crimson Permanent Assurance
as Himself - Various Roles1982 The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
as The Reverend Charles Fortescue1982 The Missionary
as Various Roles1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
as Vincent1981 Time Bandits
as (voice)1981 The Box
as himself1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter
as himself1979 The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
as Various Roles1979 The Secret Policeman's Ball
as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring1979 Life of Brian
as Eric Manchester1978 The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
as Dennis Cooper1977 Jabberwocky
as himself1976 Pleasure at Her Majesty's
as First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad the Pure / Narrator / King1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail
as Harris1975 Three Men in a Boat
as himself1974 Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
as Various1973 Is This a Record?
as Gumby / Man with tape recorder / Phrasebook Author / Arthur Pewtey / Second self - defence student /1971 And Now for Something Completely Different
as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)1971 Euroshow '71: May Day Special
as Various Roles1971 Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
as Various1969 How to Irritate People

TV Shows/Series with Michael Palin as Actor(39)

2022 Michael Palin: Into Iraq
as Self - Host2020 Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime
as Michael2020 Staged
as The Green Man2019 Worzel Gummidge
as William Makepeace Thackeray2018 Vanity Fair
as himself2015 Artsnight
as Tom Parfitt2014 Remember Me
as Self (Presenter)2012 Brazil with Michael Palin
as himself2009 Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
as himself2007 The Graham Norton Show
as himself2007 Michael Palin's New Europe
2006 Monty Python's Personal Best
as himself2006 Legends
as Self - Guest2006 The One Show
as Self - Presenter2004 Himalaya with Michael Palin
as Self - Presenter2002 Sahara with Michael Palin
1999 Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
as himself1997 Full Circle with Michael Palin
as himself1995 The Frank Skinner Show
as Self - Guest1993 Late Night with Conan O'Brien
as himself1992 Pole to Pole
as Jim Nelson1991 G.B.H.
as Springfield History Museum curator (voice)1989 The Simpsons
as himself1989 Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
1987 Going Live!
1986 Omnibus Presents Comic Relief
as himself1982 Wogan
as Himself - Presenter1980 Great Railway Journeys
1976 Ripping Yarns
as Self - Host1975 Saturday Night Live
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)1975 Saturday Night Live
as himself1975 Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
as himself1975 Fawlty Towers
as Narrator1969 Clangers
as Various / "It's" man1969 Monty Python's Flying Circus
1969 The Complete and Utter History of Britain
1968 Frost on Sunday
1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set
1967 Twice a Fortnight

Movies with Michael Palin as Crew(20)

Writing/Writer2014 Monty Python: Live (Mostly)
Writing/Writer2013 Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
Writing/Writer1991 American Friends
Writing/Writer1989 Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Writing/Writer1988 Number 27
Writing/Writer1987 East of Ipswich
Writing/Screenplay1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Production/Producer1982 The Missionary
Writing/Writer1982 The Missionary
Writing/Writer1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Writing/Writer1981 Time Bandits
Writing/Screenplay1981 The Box
Crew/Presenter1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter
Writing/Writer1980 Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter
Writing/Screenplay1979 Life of Brian
Writing/Writer1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Writing/Writer1973 Secrets
Crew/Additional Writing1973 Is This a Record?
Writing/Screenplay1971 And Now for Something Completely Different
Writing/Writer1971 Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

TV Shows/Series with Michael Palin as Crew(15)

Writing/Writer2007 Michael Palin's New Europe
Creator/Creator2006 Monty Python's Personal Best
Writing/Writer2004 Himalaya with Michael Palin
Writing/Writer2002 Sahara with Michael Palin
Writing/Writer1997 Full Circle with Michael Palin
Writing/Writer1992 Pole to Pole
Writing/Writer1989 Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
Writing/Writer1980 Great Railway Journeys
Writing/Writer1976 Ripping Yarns
Creator/Creator1976 Ripping Yarns
Writing/Writer1971 The Two Ronnies
Writing/Writer1969 Monty Python's Flying Circus
Writing/Writer1969 The Complete and Utter History of Britain
Creator/Creator1969 The Complete and Utter History of Britain
Writing/Writer1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set

Additional Information

Full Name: Michael Edward Palin
Citizenship: United Kingdom (UK)
Born: Wednesday, 05/05 1943 (May) in Broomhill, Sheffield, England (United Kingdom (UK)) (current age: 80 years + 355 days)
Zodiac sign: Taurus (Chinese zodiac sign: Goat)
Languages: English (EN)
Educated at: Brasenose College, Shrewsbury School, Birkdale School
Employer: University of Oxford
Member of: Monty Python
Spouses (current/former): Helen Gibbins
Other names for Michael Palin (nicknames, foreign languages etc.):
"Michael Edward Palin"
Michael Palin frequently works together with these people:
Terry Jones (77x, Actor)
John Cleese (55x, Actor)
Terry Gilliam (50x, Actor)
Eric Idle (41x, Actor)
Tress MacNeille (36x, Actress)
Graham Chapman (33x, Actor)
Andy Samberg (30x, Actor)
Bill Hader (24x, Actor)
Pamela Hayden (23x, Actress)
Kristen Wiig (20x, Actress)
Fred Armisen (20x, Actor)
Kevin Michael Richardson (17x, Actor)
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WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:26356, Added: 05/08/2018, Last updated: 04/21/2024