John Marwood Cleese

October 27, 1939-

Early Life: John was born in Weson-Super-Mare, England to Muriel Cross and Reginald Francis Cheese.  (That's not a typo, I meant to say cheese.  He changed his name from Cheese to Cleese when he joined the army.)  

Education: John attended St. Peter's Preparatory School, Clifton College, Downing University, and finally studied law a Cambridge University.  It was here where John first met Graham Chapman, who would later become a Python.  At Cambrige both Cleese and Chapman were part of "The Footlights" and appeared in the "Cambridge Circus" which toured New Zealand and America.

Marriages etc: Connie Booth (1968-1976); Barbara Trentham (1981-1990); Alyce Faye Eichelberg (1992- )

Pre-Python Career: As was mentioned earlier his career in acting started in college.  In 1965 John did the radio show I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again with Graham Chapman, who left after three shows.  He also wrote for the series The Frost Report, but over time Cleese and the other future Pythons there grew sick of it.  Next for Cleese came At Last the 1948 Show.  Compared to the other Pythons Cleese had been writing much longer, that may explain why he grew tired of the Flying Circus and quite after several seasons.

Notable Sketches and Characters: Just being himself is his most notable character and John is arguably the most recognizable Python (and not just because he's 6'4 3/4''. 
     But if there is any one character that comes to mind, it's the minister of Silly Walks that appeared in episode fourteen of Flying Circus.  Seeing someone that serious looking doing the silly walk certainly leaves an impression.  John's famous "And now for something completely different" will forever be a part of Python history, as will the man with the Hungarian Phrasebook, SIr George Head (the double vision chap), and the Norwegean Blue parrot ('E's not pinin'! He's bleedin' demised!).  He also occasionally appreared as a pepperpot, as in the Penguin on the Telly and in Mr. and Mrs. Git. 

   Cleese and Graham Chapman were also a very dynamic writing team that came up with some of the best loved Python sketches.  Some of these include: Penguin on the Telly, Upperclass Twit of the Year, Dead Parrot, and the Ministry of Silly Walks.

"Everybody always feels that John's really the Prime Minister in disguise."
~Terry Jones