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, Eastern Europe. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to television.
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Known For
Absolutely Anything
Kindly Alien (voice)
2015
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
Self
2014
The Wipers Times
General Mitford
2013
Frost on Sketch Shows
Self
2013
Anatomy of a Liar
Self
2012
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
Various (voice)
2012
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self
2012
Arthur Christmas
Ernie Clicker (voice)
2011
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
2010
Around the World in 20 Years
Himself
2008
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'
Self
2008
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'
Self
2008
The Seventh Python
Self
2008
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
2008
Hitler: The Comedy Years
Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007
50 Films to See Before You Die
Self
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Self
2004
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations
Self
2001
Palin on Redpath
Himself / Presenter
1997
Fierce Creatures
Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone
1997
The Willows in Winter
Rat
1996
The Wind in the Willows
The Sun
1996
The Wind in the Willows
Rat
1995
American Friends
Rev. Francis Ashby
1991
Life of Python
Self / Various Roles
1990
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
Self / Various Characters
1989
The Movie Life of George
Self
1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self
1989
A Fish Called Wanda
Ken Pile
1988
Brazil
Jack Lint
1985
A Private Function
Gilbert Chilvers
1984
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Various Roles
1983
The Missionary
The Reverend Charles Fortescue
1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Various Roles
1982
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Self - Various Roles
1982
Time Bandits
Vincent
1981
The Box
(voice)
1981
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Various Roles
1979
Life of Brian
Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979
Self
1979
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
Eric Manchester
1978
Jabberwocky
Dennis Cooper
1977
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Self
1976
Three Men in a Boat
Harris
1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
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
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report
Self
1974
Is This a Record?
Various
1973
And Now for Something Completely Different
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
1971
Ending It All
1970
How to Irritate People
Various
1969
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
salesman
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs
Self
2023
The Fringe, Fame and Me
Self
2022
The Death of Stalin
Vyacheslav Molotov
2017
Generation '66
2016
Attenborough at 90
Self
2016
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia
Self
2015
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace
Himself
2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live
Self
2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Self, others
2014
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Self
2014
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything
2014
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns
Self
2014
Making Qi
Self
2011
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
2010
Monty Python in Aberystwyth
Self
2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self
2009
The Last Day of World War One
Presenter
2008
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
Self
2008
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
Gariiiiiii (voice)
2007
What the Pythons Did Next...
Self (archive footage)
2007
The South Bank Show: Spamalot
2006
The Roots of Monty Python
Self (archive footage)
2005
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi
Host
2005
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
Self
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1
Self (archive footage)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Self (archive footage)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3
Self (archive footage)
2004
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
Self
2003
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
Narrator
2003
Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute
Self
2002
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
Various
1993
The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam
1991
The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin
Self
1989
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
1987
Comedians Do It On Stage
Self
1986
Comic Roots: Michael Palin
1983
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
Workman
1983
Roger of the Raj
Roger
1979
Golden Gordon
Gordon Ottershaw
1979
Whinfrey's Last Case
Gerald Whinfrey
1979
The Curse of the Claw
Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
1977
Across the Andes by Frog
Captain Walter Snetterton
1977
Murder at Moorstones Manor
Charles Chiddingford
1977
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B
Major Errol Phipps
1977
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite
Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
1977
Henry Cleans Up
Henry
1974
Monty Python In The Netherlands
1973
Euroshow '71: May Day Special
Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1971
The Magic Faraway Tree
When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain
2025
The Academy of Armando
Self
2025
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration
Self
2024
Michael Palin in Nigeria
Self · (3 episodes)
2024
How To Make It In Comedy
2024
Michael Palin: Into Iraq
(3 episodes)
2022
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
2021
Jeepers Creepers
Newscaster (voice)
2020
Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime
Self - Host · (4 episodes)
2020
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
Self
2020
Staged
Michael · (1 episode)
2020
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy
Self
2020
Worzel Gummidge
The Green Man · (5 episodes)
2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
Self (archive footage)
2019
An Accidental Studio
Self
2019
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes
Himself
2019
Michael Palin in North Korea
Himself - Host · (2 episodes)
2018
Vanity Fair
William Makepeace Thackeray · (7 episodes)
2018
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen
2018
Artsnight
Self · (1 episode)
2015
A Life on Screen
Himself · (1 episode)
2014
Remember Me
Tom Parfitt · (3 episodes)
2014
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
Self (archive footage) · (5 episodes)
2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar
Self
2014
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World
Himself
2013
The Meaning of Monty Python
Self
2013
Brazil with Michael Palin
Self (Presenter) · (4 episodes)
2012
Produced By George Martin
Self
2012
The Jonathan Ross Show
Self · (1 episode)
2011
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema
Self
2011
ZULU Comedy Galla
Michael Palin · (1 episode)
2010
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release
Self
2010
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Self · (6 episodes)
2009
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus
Self
2008
What Is Brazil?
Self
2008
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
2008
Michael Palin's New Europe
Himself · (7 episodes)
2007
Movie Connections
Self · (1 episode)
2007
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
Self · (1 episode)
2007
The Graham Norton Show
Self · (3 episodes)
2007
The Secret Life of Brian
Self
2007
Legends
Self · (1 episode)
2006
The One Show
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best
Various Characters
2006
Monty Python's Personal Best
Self / Various Characters · (6 episodes)
2006
John Peel's Record Box
Self
2005
Himalaya with Michael Palin
Self - Presenter · (6 episodes)
2004
Concert for George
Self
2003
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television
Himself - Presenter
2002
Sahara with Michael Palin
Self - Presenter · (4 episodes)
2002
The Unknown Peter Sellers
Himself
2000
Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
(4 episodes)
1999
The Monty Python Story
Self
1999
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Self
1999
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches
Self
1999
Monty Python: Pythonland
1999
Fantasy World Cup
Self · (1 episode)
1998
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Self
1998
Parkinson
Self · (3 episodes)
1998
Full Circle with Michael Palin
Himself · (10 episodes)
1997
Clive Anderson All Talk
Self · (1 episode)
1996
The Frank Skinner Show
Self · (1 episode)
1995
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
1993
Pole to Pole
Himself · (8 episodes)
1992
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk
Narrator (voice)
1991
G.B.H.
Jim Nelson · (7 episodes)
1991
The Witches
Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
1990
Viz: The Documentary
Self
1990
The Simpsons
Springfield History Museum curator (voice) · (1 episode)
1989
Michael Palin: The Art of Travel
(4 episodes)
1989
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days
Himself · (7 episodes)
1989
John Cleese's First Farewell Performance
Self
1988
Daytime Live
(1 episode)
1987
Going Live!
Self · (1 episode)
1987
Omnibus Presents Comic Relief
(1 episode)
1986
The Dress
Howard
1984
Wogan
Self · (2 episodes)
1982
Travels with Palin
Himself · (52 episodes)
1980
Great Railway Journeys
Self - Presenter · (2 episodes)
1980
The Broken Bottle
1977
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self · (15 episodes)
1976
Tomkinson's Schooldays
Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
1976
Ripping Yarns
(9 episodes)
1976
Ripping Yarns
Gerald Whinfrey · (1 episode)
1976
Ripping Yarns
Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack · (1 episode)
1976
Ripping Yarns
Roger · (1 episode)
1976
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host · (4 episodes)
1975
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited) · (2 episodes)
1975
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self · (1 episode)
1975
Pebble Mill at One
(1 episode)
1972
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
Various Characters · (2 episodes)
1972
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971
Monty Python: Who's There?
Ken
1970
Clangers
Narrator (voice) · (104 episodes)
1969
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Various / "It's" man · (45 episodes)
1969
The Complete and Utter History of Britain
(6 episodes)
1969
Frost on Sunday
(2 episodes)
1968
Do Not Adjust Your Set
Various Characters · (29 episodes)
1967
Twice a Fortnight
(10 episodes)
1967
A Series Of Bird's
(2 episodes)
1967
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World
Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
1966