Graham Chapman
Biography
Graham Chapman was a British comedian, actor and writer who became one of the six members of Monty Python. Born in Leicester and raised in Melton Mowbray, he studied medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and joined the Cambridge Footlights, where he began writing with John Cleese. He turned down a medical career for comedy, writing professionally for the BBC and appearing in At Last the 1948 Show. In 1969 he and Cleese joined Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam for the sketch series Monty Python's Flying Circus. Chapman often played authority figures, including The Colonel, and took the lead in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), and in Life of Brian (1979). He wrote and starred in the pirate film Yellowbeard (1983) and reunited with the Pythons for The Meaning of Life (1983). In 1988 Monty Python was honored with a BAFTA for its outstanding British contribution to cinema. Chapman died in 1989.
48years old at death
- Born Stoneygate
- Died Maidstone
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- Graham Arthur Chapman (birth name)Also credited as Gray Chapman
Movie Career
- Films
- 8
- Career span
- 43 years1971 to 2014
Genres
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A change of course
Chapman was still unsure about giving up medicine even though the series did well. Between the two series of At Last The 1948 Show, he finished his studies at St Bartholomew's and became registered as a doctor.
First role
Chapman's first significant performing role came in At Last the 1948 Show, where he showed a gift for deadpan comedy and imitating British dialects.
Big break
Chapman got the lead in Holy Grail because the group respected his straight acting skills and the other members wanted the lesser, funnier characters.
Graham Chapman movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail1975 Adventure, Comedy, Fantasyas King Arthur / Voice of God / Middle Head / Hiccoughing Guard
IMDb rating 8.1608K votes
- The Meaning of Life1983as Chairman / Fish #1 / Doctor / Harry Blackitt / Wymer / Hordern / General / Coles / Narrator #2 / Dr. Livingstone / Transvestite / Eric / Guest #1 / Arthur Jarrett / Geoffrey / Tony Bennett
IMDb rating 7.5131K votes
- And Now for Something Completely Different1971as Brother / Policeman / Defence attorney / British pedestrian / Mr. Harrison (Apricot) / The Colonel / 'Hell's Grannies' policeman / Jimmy Blankensop / Sir Edward Ross / Restaurant patron #1 / Letter Writer / Oliver St. John Mollusk / Mountie / Town Guild Lady
IMDb rating 7.533K votes
- A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman2012as Graham Chapman / Narratorvoice
IMDb rating 5.91.9K votes
- Monty Python Live (Mostly)2014as The Colonel / Professor R.J. Canning / Batley Townswoman / Abe Seagull / Hegel / Tony Bennett
IMDb rating 7.63.0K votes
Most often with
Terry Jones directed three of these films, Terry Gilliam two and Ian MacNaughton two. John Cleese appears in eight of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John Cleese's page
Eric Idle's page
Michael Palin's page
Terry Gilliam's page
Terry Jones's page
Carol Cleveland's page
All films by Ian MacNaughton
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 2001 | European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumous) | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.