Michael Palin

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

218

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

  • Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live

  • Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live

  • Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live

  • Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live

  • The Graham Norton Show

    The Graham Norton Show

  • The One Show

    The One Show

  • Late Night with Conan O'Brien

    Late Night with Conan O'Brien

  • Wogan

    Wogan

  • Parkinson

    Parkinson

  • Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

    Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

  • The Jonathan Ross Show

    The Jonathan Ross Show

  • The Alan Titchmarsh Show

    The Alan Titchmarsh Show

  • American Friends

    American Friends

  • The Frank Skinner Show

    The Frank Skinner Show

  • Monty Python's Flying Circus

    Monty Python's Flying Circus

  • Jabberwocky

    Jabberwocky

  • Going Live!

    Going Live!

  • Frost on Sketch Shows

    Frost on Sketch Shows

  • Life of Brian

    Life of Brian

  • An Accidental Studio

    An Accidental Studio

  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail

    Monty Python and the Holy Grail

  • The Missionary

    The Missionary

  • ZULU Comedy Galla

    ZULU Comedy Galla

  • Legends

    Legends

  • Jeepers Creepers

    Jeepers Creepers

  • Staged

    Staged

  • Brazil

    Brazil

  • The Box

    The Box

  • Small Prophets

    Small Prophets

  • Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime

    Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime

  • Attenborough at 90

    Attenborough at 90

  • Daytime Live

    Daytime Live

  • Great Railway Journeys

    Great Railway Journeys

  • Clangers

    Clangers

  • A Fish Called Wanda

    A Fish Called Wanda

  • Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

    Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

  • The Death of Stalin

    The Death of Stalin

  • The Witches

    The Witches

  • Pebble Mill at One

    Pebble Mill at One

  • Arthur Christmas

    Arthur Christmas

  • Vanity Fair

    Vanity Fair

  • Absolutely Anything

    Absolutely Anything

  • Do Not Adjust Your Set

    Do Not Adjust Your Set

  • Full Circle with Michael Palin

    Full Circle with Michael Palin

  • Time Bandits

    Time Bandits

  • Roger of the Raj

    Roger of the Raj

  • Tomkinson's Schooldays

    Tomkinson's Schooldays

  • Perspectives

    Perspectives

  • Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

    Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

  • The Magic Faraway Tree

    The Magic Faraway Tree

  • Remember Me

    Remember Me

  • Clive Anderson All Talk

    Clive Anderson All Talk

  • Anatomy of a Liar

    Anatomy of a Liar

  • Monty Python's Personal Best

    Monty Python's Personal Best

  • Movie Connections

    Movie Connections

  • Michael Palin in North Korea

    Michael Palin in North Korea

  • And Now for Something Completely Different

    And Now for Something Completely Different

  • G.B.H.

    G.B.H.

  • Travels with Palin

    Travels with Palin

  • Innes Lloyd: The Producer

    Innes Lloyd: The Producer

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • Ripping Yarns

    Ripping Yarns

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • A Life on Screen

    A Life on Screen

  • Sahara with Michael Palin

    Sahara with Michael Palin

  • Fierce Creatures

    Fierce Creatures

  • Friday People

    Friday People

  • Worzel Gummidge

    Worzel Gummidge

  • Pole to Pole

    Pole to Pole

  • Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

    Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)

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

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

  • A Series of Bird's

    A Series of Bird's

  • Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

    Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar

  • 50 Films to See Before You Die

    50 Films to See Before You Die

  • Fantasy World Cup

    Fantasy World Cup

  • A Private Function

    A Private Function

  • The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

    The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash

  • Michael Palin: The Art of Travel

    Michael Palin: The Art of Travel

  • Brazil with Michael Palin

    Brazil with Michael Palin

  • Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

    Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl

  • Michael Palin: Into Iraq

    Michael Palin: Into Iraq

  • Michael Palin's New Europe

    Michael Palin's New Europe

  • Concert for George

    Concert for George

  • Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

    Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

  • Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

    Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails

  • Artsnight

    Artsnight

  • Himalaya with Michael Palin

    Himalaya with Michael Palin

  • Generation '66

    Generation '66

  • Michael Palin in Venezuela

    Michael Palin in Venezuela

  • Produced by George Martin

    Produced by George Martin

  • Michael Palin in Nigeria

    Michael Palin in Nigeria

  • What Is Brazil?

    What Is Brazil?

  • Hitler: The Comedy Years

    Hitler: The Comedy Years

  • The Roots of Monty Python

    The Roots of Monty Python

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • The Wind in the Willows

    The Wind in the Willows

  • 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

  • Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

    Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python

  • Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

    Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation

  • The Willows in Winter

    The Willows in Winter

  • Full House

    Full House

  • The Crimson Permanent Assurance

    The Crimson Permanent Assurance

  • The Wind in the Willows

    The Wind in the Willows

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

  • The Complete and Utter History of Britain

    The Complete and Utter History of Britain

  • Monty Python Conquers America

    Monty Python Conquers America

  • The Wipers Times

    The Wipers Times

  • Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

    Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

  • Monty Python Live (Mostly)

    Monty Python Live (Mostly)

  • Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

    Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus

  • Making Qi

    Making Qi

  • The Grand Knockout Tournament

    The Grand Knockout Tournament

  • Frost on Sunday

    Frost on Sunday

  • The Academy of Armando

    The Academy of Armando

  • Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

    Monty Python: The Meaning of Live

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

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

  • Twice a Fortnight

    Twice a Fortnight

  • Monty Python In The Netherlands

    Monty Python In The Netherlands

  • The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

    The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

  • Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

    Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated

  • The Fringe, Fame and Me

    The Fringe, Fame and Me

  • The Secret Life of Brian

    The Secret Life of Brian

  • Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch

    Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch

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

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

  • Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

    Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?

  • Monty Python: Live at Aspen

    Monty Python: Live at Aspen

  • Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

    Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

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

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

  • Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

    Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm

  • The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

  • Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

    Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches

  • Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

    Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus

  • Monty Python: Who's There?

    Monty Python: Who's There?

  • Life Of Brian Screenplay

    Life Of Brian Screenplay

  • Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

    Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation

  • Life of Python

    Life of Python

  • Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

    Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration

  • Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

    Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi

  • The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

    The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

  • Palin on Redpath

    Palin on Redpath

  • Three Men in a Boat

    Three Men in a Boat

  • Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

    Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report

  • Euroshow '71: May Day Special

    Euroshow '71: May Day Special

  • The Philosophers' Football Match

    The Philosophers' Football Match

  • Comedians Do It On Stage

    Comedians Do It On Stage

  • The Unknown Peter Sellers

    The Unknown Peter Sellers

  • John Peel's Record Box

    John Peel's Record Box

  • The Monty Python Story

    The Monty Python Story

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

    Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎

  • 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

    50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

  • The Meaning of Monty Python

    The Meaning of Monty Python

  • The Secret Life of Trees

    The Secret Life of Trees

  • Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

    Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind

  • Monty Python in Aberystwyth

    Monty Python in Aberystwyth

  • The Seventh Python

    The Seventh Python

  • How to Irritate People

    How to Irritate People

  • Across the Andes by Frog

    Across the Andes by Frog

  • Around the World in 20 Years

    Around the World in 20 Years

  • Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

    Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs

  • Golden Gordon

    Golden Gordon

  • The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

    The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971

  • Henry Cleans Up

    Henry Cleans Up

  • Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

    Michael Palin In Wyeth's World

  • How To Make It In Comedy

    How To Make It In Comedy

  • Pleasure at Her Majesty's

    Pleasure at Her Majesty's

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

    The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2

  • The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

    The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'

  • Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

    Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

  • Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

    Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy

  • Is This a Record?

    Is This a Record?

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

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

  • Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

    Tracey Ullman: A Class Act

  • Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

    Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

  • John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

    John Cleese's First Farewell Performance

  • The Movie Life of George

    The Movie Life of George

  • Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

    Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

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

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

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

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

  • Murder at Moorstones Manor

    Murder at Moorstones Manor

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

    The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1

  • Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

    Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World

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

    The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3

  • Viz: The Documentary

    Viz: The Documentary

  • When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

    When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain

  • Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

    Escape from Stalag Luft 112B

  • Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

    Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace

  • Whinfrey's Last Case

    Whinfrey's Last Case

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

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

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

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

  • The Curse of the Claw

    The Curse of the Claw

  • What the Pythons Did Next...

    What the Pythons Did Next...

  • The Dress

    The Dress

  • The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

    The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything

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

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

  • Ending It All

    Ending It All

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

    Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'

  • Monty Python: Pythonland

    Monty Python: Pythonland

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

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

  • The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

    The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations

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

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

  • Meridian: The First Ten Minutes

    Meridian: The First Ten Minutes

  • Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

    Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns

  • Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

    Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse

  • Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

    Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall

  • New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

    New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days

  • The First Night of Meridian

    The First Night of Meridian

  • Comic Roots: Michael Palin

    Comic Roots: Michael Palin

  • Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

    Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia

  • Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

    Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk

  • The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema

    The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema

  • The Broken Bottle

    The Broken Bottle

  • The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin

    The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin