Michael Palin

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

214

Gender

Male

Birthday

1943-05-05 (82 years old)

Place of Birth

Broomhill, Sheffield, England, UK

Michael Palin

Biography

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.

Known For

  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

  • The Graham Norton Show

    The Graham Norton Show

  • Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live

  • Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live

  • The One Show

    The One Show

  • Wogan

    Wogan

  • Late Night with Conan O'Brien

    Late Night with Conan O'Brien

  • Pebble Mill at One

    Pebble Mill at One

  • Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

    Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

  • Parkinson

    Parkinson

  • The Alan Titchmarsh Show

    The Alan Titchmarsh Show

  • The Jonathan Ross Show

    The Jonathan Ross Show

  • Going Live!

    Going Live!

  • Daytime Live

    Daytime Live

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus

    Monty Python's Flying Circus

  • The Witches

    The Witches

  • ZULU Comedy Galla

    ZULU Comedy Galla

  • Legends

    Legends

  • The Frank Skinner Show

    The Frank Skinner Show

  • A Fish Called Wanda

    A Fish Called Wanda

  • The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

    The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

  • The Magic Faraway Tree

    The Magic Faraway Tree

  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail

    Monty Python and the Holy Grail

  • Staged

    Staged

  • The Wind in the Willows

    The Wind in the Willows

  • Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

    Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

  • The Wind in the Willows

    The Wind in the Willows

  • Time Bandits

    Time Bandits

  • Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

    Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

  • Brazil

    Brazil

  • Life of Brian

    Life of Brian

  • Concert for George

    Concert for George

  • The Fringe, Fame and Me

    The Fringe, Fame and Me

  • Absolutely Anything

    Absolutely Anything

  • Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'

    Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'

  • Fierce Creatures

    Fierce Creatures

  • Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release

    Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release

  • The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

    The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

  • Euroshow '71: May Day Special

    Euroshow '71: May Day Special

  • Arthur Christmas

    Arthur Christmas

  • Clangers

    Clangers

  • How To Make It In Comedy

    How To Make It In Comedy

  • Hitler: The Comedy Years

    Hitler: The Comedy Years

  • Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

    Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

  • Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'

    Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'

  • A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

    A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman

  • The Grand Knockout Tournament

    The Grand Knockout Tournament

  • Golden Gordon

    Golden Gordon

  • Life of Python

    Life of Python

  • Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

    Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

  • Vanity Fair

    Vanity Fair

  • Frost on Sketch Shows

    Frost on Sketch Shows

  • Clive Anderson All Talk

    Clive Anderson All Talk

  • Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

    Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

  • Generation '66

    Generation '66

  • Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

    Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

  • Anatomy of a Liar

    Anatomy of a Liar

  • The Death of Stalin

    The Death of Stalin

  • Do Not Adjust Your Set

    Do Not Adjust Your Set

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • G.B.H.

    G.B.H.

  • Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute

    Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute

  • Perspectives

    Perspectives

  • The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

    The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

  • An Accidental Studio

    An Accidental Studio

  • A Life on Screen

    A Life on Screen

  • Three Men in a Boat

    Three Men in a Boat

  • Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

    Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

  • Attenborough at 90

    Attenborough at 90

  • The Willows in Winter

    The Willows in Winter

  • Whinfrey's Last Case

    Whinfrey's Last Case

  • American Friends

    American Friends

  • Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

    Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

  • A Private Function

    A Private Function

  • Great Railway Journeys

    Great Railway Journeys

  • The Dress

    The Dress

  • Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

    Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

  • And Now for Something Completely Different

    And Now for Something Completely Different

  • The Missionary

    The Missionary

  • Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

    Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema

    The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema

  • Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

    Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

  • Jabberwocky

    Jabberwocky

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

    Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

  • Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

    Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

  • The Roots of Monty Python

    The Roots of Monty Python

  • Making Qi

    Making Qi

  • Monty Python Live (Mostly)

    Monty Python Live (Mostly)

  • What the Pythons Did Next...

    What the Pythons Did Next...

  • The Complete and Utter History of Britain

    The Complete and Utter History of Britain

  • Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)

    Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)

  • Remember Me

    Remember Me

  • Monty Python: Who's There?

    Monty Python: Who's There?

  • Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

    Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

  • Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

    Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • Monty Python: Live at Aspen

    Monty Python: Live at Aspen

  • Movie Connections

    Movie Connections

  • The Curse of the Claw

    The Curse of the Claw

  • Fantasy World Cup

    Fantasy World Cup

  • 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

    50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

  • The Crimson Permanent Assurance

    The Crimson Permanent Assurance

  • The Movie Life of George

    The Movie Life of George

  • Artsnight

    Artsnight

  • Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

    Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

  • Friday People

    Friday People

  • Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

    Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

  • Pole to Pole

    Pole to Pole

  • Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

    Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

  • The Box

    The Box

  • Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

    Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

  • Travels with Palin

    Travels with Palin

  • Himalaya with Michael Palin

    Himalaya with Michael Palin

  • The Wipers Times

    The Wipers Times

  • Roger of the Raj

    Roger of the Raj

  • Monty Python's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Personal Best

  • Worzel Gummidge

    Worzel Gummidge

  • Jeepers Creepers

    Jeepers Creepers

  • Is This a Record?

    Is This a Record?

  • Full Circle with Michael Palin

    Full Circle with Michael Palin

  • A Series of Bird's

    A Series of Bird's

  • Twice a Fortnight

    Twice a Fortnight

  • The Academy of Armando

    The Academy of Armando

  • Full House

    Full House

  • Michael Palin's New Europe

    Michael Palin's New Europe

  • Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime

    Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime

  • Michael Palin: Into Iraq

    Michael Palin: Into Iraq

  • Sahara with Michael Palin

    Sahara with Michael Palin

  • Michael Palin in North Korea

    Michael Palin in North Korea

  • 50 Films to See Before You Die

    50 Films to See Before You Die

  • The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

  • John Peel's Record Box

    John Peel's Record Box

  • Brazil with Michael Palin

    Brazil with Michael Palin

  • Life Of Brian Screenplay

    Life Of Brian Screenplay

  • Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

    Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

  • Frost on Sunday

    Frost on Sunday

  • Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

    Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

  • Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

    Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

  • Michael Palin in Nigeria

    Michael Palin in Nigeria

  • Monty Python Conquers America

    Monty Python Conquers America

  • Michael Palin in Venezuela

    Michael Palin in Venezuela

  • Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

    Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

  • Tomkinson's Schooldays

    Tomkinson's Schooldays

  • Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

    Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

  • The Secret Life of Brian

    The Secret Life of Brian

  • Palin on Redpath

    Palin on Redpath

  • Michael Palin: The Art of Travel

    Michael Palin: The Art of Travel

  • Produced By George Martin

    Produced By George Martin

  • The Secret Life of Trees

    The Secret Life of Trees

  • How to Irritate People

    How to Irritate People

  • Across the Andes by Frog

    Across the Andes by Frog

  • Meridian: The First Ten Minutes

    Meridian: The First Ten Minutes

  • Pleasure at Her Majesty's

    Pleasure at Her Majesty's

  • Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)

    Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)

  • The Seventh Python

    The Seventh Python

  • The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

    The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

  • Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

    Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

  • Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

    Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

  • Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television

    Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television

  • Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

    Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

  • The Philosophers' Football Match

    The Philosophers' Football Match

  • Murder at Moorstones Manor

    Murder at Moorstones Manor

  • Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

    Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

  • The Broken Bottle

    The Broken Bottle

  • The Monty Python Story

    The Monty Python Story

  • The Meaning of Monty Python

    The Meaning of Monty Python

  • Henry Cleans Up

    Henry Cleans Up

  • John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

    John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best

  • The Unknown Peter Sellers

    The Unknown Peter Sellers

  • The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

    The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979

  • The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

    The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

  • Monty Python In The Netherlands

    Monty Python In The Netherlands

  • What Is Brazil?

    What Is Brazil?

  • Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

    Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

  • The First Night of Meridian

    The First Night of Meridian

  • New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

    New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

  • Monty Python in Aberystwyth

    Monty Python in Aberystwyth

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

  • The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

    The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

  • Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

    Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best

  • The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

    The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best

  • Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

    Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

  • Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

    Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

  • The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

    The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

  • Comic Roots: Michael Palin

    Comic Roots: Michael Palin

  • Comedians Do It On Stage

    Comedians Do It On Stage

  • Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

    Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

  • Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

    Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

  • The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

    The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

  • Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch

    Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch

  • Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

    Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

  • Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

    Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

  • Ending It All

    Ending It All

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best

  • Viz: The Documentary

    Viz: The Documentary

  • Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

    Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

  • Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'

    Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'

  • Around the World in 20 Years

    Around the World in 20 Years

  • Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

    Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

  • Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

    Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

  • When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

    When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

  • Monty Python: Pythonland

    Monty Python: Pythonland

  • The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

    The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best

    Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best

  • The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin

    The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin