John Cleese

John Cleese is a comedian, actor and writer who helped create Monty Python's Flying Circus after earlier work with Cambridge Footlights and The Frost Report. His Python performances often turn authority, rigid rules and suppressed anger into physical and verbal absurdity, with sketches such as the Ministry of Silly Walks becoming closely associated with him.

Cleese co-wrote Fawlty Towers with Connie Booth and played hotel owner Basil Fawlty. His film work includes the Python features and A Fish Called Wanda, which he also wrote. He has continued performing across film, stage and other comedy projects.