Michael Palin
Biography
Michael Palin is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter who is best known for his work with Monty Python. Born in Ranmoor, Sheffield, in 1943, he began his television career on programs such as The Frost Report, and he also worked on Do Not Adjust Your Set before joining Monty Python's Flying Circus from 1969 to 1974. His Python films include Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), which he co-wrote and starred in, along with Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983). For A Fish Called Wanda (1988) he won a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Other notable films include Jabberwocky (1977), Time Bandits (1981), The Missionary (1982), A Private Function (1984), Brazil (1985), Fierce Creatures (1997) and The Death of Stalin (2017). Since 1980 he has made numerous television travel documentaries as a writer and presenter. In 2013 he received the BAFTA Fellowship and in 2019 he was knighted.
83years old
Turns 84 on May 5in 204 days
- Born Ranmoor
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Michael Edward Palin (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 24
- Career span
- 51 years1966 to 2017
Genres
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A first
In the 2019 New Year Honours, Palin was named a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to travel, culture and geography. No other Monty Python member has been knighted.
Big break
The veteran TV globetrotter Alan Whicker and the journalist Miles Kington both declined to present Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin, which opened the door for Palin to host his first travel show and the later ones.
A role that slipped away
Palin landed a supporting part in You've Got Mail, the romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, yet his role was eventually cut entirely.
First role
Palin's first acting experience came at Birkdale when he was five years old, where he took the role of Martha Cratchit in a school production of A Christmas Carol.
First role
Palin first wrote and performed comedy material at a university Christmas party with fellow student Robert Hewison, a performance Terry Jones saw before beginning to write with them.
Michael Palin 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 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!
IMDb rating 8.1608K votes
- Life of Brian1979as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
IMDb rating 8.0436K votes
- The Meaning of Life1983as Window Washer / Harry / Fish #5 / Mr. Pycroft / Dad / Narrator #1 / Chaplain / Carter / Spadger / Regimental Sergeant Major / Pakenham-Walsh / Rear End / Female TV Presenter / Mr. Marvin Hendy / Governor / Leaf Son / Debbie Katzenberg
IMDb rating 7.5131K votes
Most often with
Terry Jones directed five of these films, Terry Gilliam five and Ian MacNaughton two. John Cleese appears in twelve 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
Terry Jones's page
Terry Gilliam's page
Carol Cleveland's page
Graham Chapman's page
All films by Ian MacNaughton
Box office
What Michael Palin's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$512 million
15 of the 24 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 24 films: 15 worldwide figure; 2 us gross only; 5 never in cinemas; 2 figure not found.
- 15Worldwide figure
- 2US gross only
- 5Never in cinemas
- 2Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 96% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$189M36.8% of the total
- 2$151M29.5% of the total
- 3The Meaning of Life1983as Window Washer / Harry / Fish #5 / Mr. Pycroft / Dad / Narrator #1 / Chaplain / Carter / Spadger / Regimental Sergeant Major / Pakenham-Walsh / Rear End / Female TV Presenter / Mr. Marvin Hendy / Governor / Leaf Son / Debbie Katzenberg$43M8.3% of the total
- 4$42M8.3% of the total
- 5$25M4.8% of the total
- 6Life of Brian1979as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus$21M4.1% of the total
- 7$10.0M1.9% of the total
- 8$9.4M1.8% of the total
$22.4 millionfrom the other 7 films with a worldwide figure, 4% of the total
Awards
Ten awards and honors from 1989 to 2020, two of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAFTA | |||
| 2013 | Fellowship | Won | |
| 1989 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | A Fish Called Wanda | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 2020 | Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature | Won | |
| 2019 | Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George | Won | |
| 2013 | Patron’s Medal | Won | |
| 2001 | European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| Commander of the Order of the British Empire | Won | ||
| James Joyce Awards | Won | ||
| Livingstone Medal | Won | ||
| Ness Award | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.