British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Eric Idle: Comedy Greats. Eric Idle. Copyright: Getty Images
Eric Idle

Eric Idle

  • 81 years old
  • English
  • Actor, writer, director, composer and comedian
  1. 19th September: John Cleese accuses Eric Idle of 'inventing' narrative in latest Monty Python row (The Independent)
  2. 5th September: Terry Jones statue proposed for his Colwyn Bay home town
Eric Idle. Copyright: Robyn Von Swank / Penguin Books

Eric Idle is a comedian, composer, actor, singer and writer from South Shields, best known as one of the members of Monty Python, and as the creator of hit musical Spamalot, based on one of the group's films. He resides in Los Angeles.

Year Production Role
2024 Jon Holmes Says The C-Word
View episodes
  1. E1 - You Might Feel A Bit Of A Prick
  2. E2 - Life, Death And Admin
  3. E4 - Am I Now 'That Cancer Guy'?
  4. E5 - What Do My Insides Look Like?
  5. E6 - Feeling Like Crap
  6. E7 - Pumps, Bags And Jabs
  7. E8 - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
 Self
2024 This Cultural Life: Michael Palin Self (Archive Material)
2024 Ian Hislop's Oldest Jokes
  1. E5 - The Heege Manuscript
  2. E7 - Parody And Sir Topaz
  3. E9 - Who's De Hoeghe?
 Self (Archive Material)
2023 The National Comedy Awards - 2023
  1. 2023
 Self
2023 Annie Nightingale's Age Of Irreverence Self (Archive Material)
2022 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 25
  1. E3 - Hunting For Exoplanets
 Guest
2022 The Graham Norton Show - Series 30
  1. E1 - Eric Idle, Jamie Lee Curtis, David Tennant, Lydia West, Robbie Williams
 Guest
2022 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 24
  1. E4 - Black Holes
 Guest
2022 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 24
  1. E1 - Bats v Flies
 Composer
2021 Jonathan Miller: Lost Memories Self (Archive Material)
2021 The Jonathan Ross Show - Special Guests: Series 1
  1. Special - Highlights Special
 Guest
2021 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 23
  1. E1 - In Praise Of Flies
  2. E2 - Under Our Night Sky
  3. E4 - The Science of Cooking
  4. E5 - The Fundamentals Of Reality
 Composer
2021 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 23
  1. E5 - The Fundamentals Of Reality
 Guest
2020 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 22 - Lockdown Podcast
  1. E1 - The End of the Universe
  2. E2 - Black Holes
  3. E3 - Space Archaeology
  4. E4 - An Astronaut's Guide To Isolation
  5. E6 - When the Monkeys met the Chimps
  6. E7 - Does Time Exist?
  7. E8 - The Human Brain
  8. E9 - What Is Life?
 Composer
2020 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 22 - Lockdown Podcast
  1. E1 - The End of the Universe
 Guest
2020 47 Years Without A Clue: A Tribute To Tim Brooke-Taylor Self
2020 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 21
  1. E1 - Science of Laughter
  2. E2 - Conspiracy Theories
  3. E3 - Coral Reefs
  4. E4 - Fire
  5. E5 - Quantum Worlds
 Composer
2019 Python At 50: Silly Talks And Holy Grails Self (Archive Material)
2019 Monty Python At 50: The Self-Abasement Tapes
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
 Self (Archive Material)
2019 The Big Fat Quiz Of Everything - 2019 Special
  1. The Big Fat Quiz Of Everything 2019
 Self
2018 The Jonathan Ross Show - Series 13
  1. E8 - Eric Idle, Katherine Jenkins, Nish Kumar, Chris O'Dowd
 Guest
2018 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 18
  1. E1 - Big Data
 Composer
2018 The Infinite Monkey Cage - Series 18
  1. E1 - Big Data
 Guest
2017 Billy & Me Self
2016 The Entire Universe Writer
2016 The Entire Universe Host / Presenter
2016 Eric Idle: Comedy Greats Self (Archive Material)
2016 The Roots Of Monty Python Self (Archive Material)
2016 Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down Five to Go Self
2016 Richard E. Grant On... Ealing Comedies Self
2015 Absolutely Anything Salubrious Gat (Voice)
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
  1. E2 - Graham Chapman
 Self
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
  1. E1 - Eric Idle
 Writer
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
View episodes
  1. E1 - Eric Idle
  2. E2 - Graham Chapman
  3. E3 - John Cleese
  4. E4 - Terry Gilliam
  5. E5 - Michael Palin
  6. E6 - Terry Jones
 Self (Archive Material)
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
  1. E1 - Eric Idle
 Host / Presenter
2014 Monty Python: The Meaning Of Live Self
2014 Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E5 - Episode Five
 Self (Archive Material)
2014 Monty Python Live (Mostly)
View episodes
  1. Special - Monty Python Live: One Down, Five To Go
 Director
2014 Monty Python Live (Mostly)
View episodes
  1. Special - Monty Python Live: One Down, Five To Go
 Writer
2014 Monty Python Live (Mostly)
View episodes
  1. Special - Monty Python Live: One Down, Five To Go
 Various
2014 Monty Python Live (Mostly) Creator
2014 Imagine... Monty Python: And Now For Something Rather Similar Self
2014 50 Years Of BBC 2 Comedy Self
2014 Porridge: Inside Out
View episodes
  1. E1 - Sent Down
  2. E2 - Banged Up
  3. E3 - Good Behaviour
 Self
2014 The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden Treasure Self
2014 The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden Treasure Guest
2013 The Graham Norton Show - Series 14
  1. Special - Monty Python, Anchorman 2, Joan and Jackie Collins, Frank Skinner, Michael Bublé
 Guest
2013 The Meaning Of Monty Python Self
2013 David Frost - Hello, Good Evening & Farewell Self
2012 The Secret Policeman's Ball Self
2012 Monty Python: Almost The Truth
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode I: The Not-So-Interesting Beginnings
  2. E2 - Episode II: The Much Funnier Second Episode - Flying Circus Included
  3. E3 - Episode III: And Now, The Sordid Personal Bits
  4. E4 - Episode IV: The Ultimate Holy Grail Episode
  5. E5 - Episode V: Lust For Glory!
  6. E6 - Episode VI: Finally! The Last Episode Ever! (For Now...)
 Self
2010 The Graham Norton Show - Series 7
  1. E7 - Marcus Brigstocke, Eric Idle, Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry
 Guest
2010 Not The Messiah Composer
2010 Not The Messiah Self
2009 Monty Python's Wonderful World Of Sound Self
2009 He's Not The Messiah, He's A Very Naughty Boy Self
2008 We Are Most Amused Self
2005 The Comedians' Comedian Self
2004 Britain's Best Sitcom
  1. E1 - The Launch
  2. E6 - One Foot In The Grave
 Guest
2003 Comedians' Comedians - Series 2
  1. E6 - Peter Sellers
 Self
2002 Peter Cook - At A Slight Angle To The Universe Self
2000 I Don't Believe It! - The One Foot In The Grave Story Self
2000 Comedians' Comedians - Series 1
  1. E3 - Peter Cook
 Self
2000 One Foot In The Grave - Series 6
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Executioner's Song
  2. E2 - Tales Of Terror
  3. E3 - The Futility Of The Fly
  4. E4 - Threatening Weather
  5. E5 - The Dawn Of Man
  6. E6 - Things Aren't Simple Any More
 Composer
1999 It's... The Monty Python Story Self
1998 Heroes Of Comedy - Series 3
  1. E2 - Peter Cook
 Self
1997 One Foot In The Grave - 1996 & 1997 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - Endgame
 Composer
1995 One Foot In The Grave - Series 5
View episodes
  1. Special - The Man Who Blew Away
  2. E1 - Only A Story
  3. E2 - The Affair Of The Hollow Lady
  4. E3 - Rearranging The Dust
  5. E4 - Hole In The Sky
  6. E5 - The Exterminating Angel
  7. Special - The Wisdom Of The Witch
 Composer
1993 One Foot In The Grave - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Pit And The Pendulum
  2. E2 - Descent Into The Maelstrom
  3. E3 - Hearts Of Darkness
  4. E4 - Warm Champagne
  5. E5 - The Trial
  6. E6 - Secret Of The Seven Sorcerers
  7. Special - Comic Relief Special
  8. Special - One Foot In The Algarve
 Composer
1993 Splitting Heirs Executive Producer
1993 Splitting Heirs Writer
1993 Splitting Heirs Tommy
1992 Spitting Image - 1992 Election Special
  1. 1992 Election Special
 Composer
1992 One Foot In The Grave - Series 3
View episodes
  1. Special - The Man In The Long Black Coat
  2. E1 - Monday Morning Will Be Fine
  3. E2 - Dreamland
  4. E3 - The Broken Reflection
  5. E4 - The Beast In The Cage
  6. E5 - Beware The Trickster On The Roof
  7. E6 - The Worst Horror Of All
 Composer
1992 One Foot In The Grave - Series 3
  1. E4 - The Beast In The Cage
 Mechanic (Voice)
1992 One Foot In The Grave - Series 3
  1. Special - The Man In The Long Black Coat
 Dr. Mervyn Whale
1990 One Foot In The Grave - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - In Luton Airport No-One Can Hear You Scream
  2. E2 - We Have Put Her Living In The Tomb
  3. E3 - Dramatic Fever
  4. E4 - Who Will Buy?
  5. E5 - Love And Death
  6. E6 - Timeless Time
  7. Special - Who's Listening
 Composer
1990 Nuns On The Run Brian Hope
1990 One Foot In The Grave - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Alive And Buried
  2. E2 - The Big Sleep
  3. E3 - The Valley Of Fear
  4. E4 - I'll Retire To Bedlam
  5. E5 - The Eternal Quadrangle
  6. E6 - The Return Of The Speckled Band
 Composer
1989 Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years Of Monty Python Various
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life Writer
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life Various
1983 Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl Various
1983 Yellowbeard Commander Clement
1979 Monty Python's Life Of Brian Writer
1979 Monty Python's Life Of Brian Various
1978 The Two Ronnies - Series 7
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
 Writer
1978 All You Need Is Cash Director
1978 All You Need Is Cash Writer
1978 All You Need Is Cash Narrator
1978 All You Need Is Cash S.J. Krammerhead
1978 All You Need Is Cash Dirk McQuickly
1976 Rutland Weekend Television - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Rutland Weekend Rutles
  2. E2 - Rutland Weekend Cop Show
  3. E3 - Rutland Weekend Sequel
  4. E4 - Rutland Weekend Sprimpo
  5. E5 - Rutland Weekend Insurance
  6. E6 - Rutland Weekend Is Innocent
  7. E7 - Rutland Weekend Showtime!
 Writer
1976 Rutland Weekend Television - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Rutland Weekend Rutles
  2. E2 - Rutland Weekend Cop Show
  3. E3 - Rutland Weekend Sequel
  4. E4 - Rutland Weekend Sprimpo
  5. E5 - Rutland Weekend Insurance
  6. E6 - Rutland Weekend Is Innocent
  7. E7 - Rutland Weekend Showtime!
 Various
1976 The Two Ronnies - Series 5
View episodes
  1. E2 - Episode Two
  2. E4 - Episode Four
 Writer
1975 Rutland Weekend Television - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Rutland Weekend Gibberish
  2. E2 - Rutland Weekend Kung-Fu
  3. E3 - Rutland Weekend Warning System
  4. E4 - Rutland Weekend Whistle Test
  5. E5 - Rutland Weekend Rain in Hendon
  6. Special - Christmas with Rutland Weekend Television
 Writer
1975 Rutland Weekend Television - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Rutland Weekend Gibberish
  2. E2 - Rutland Weekend Kung-Fu
  3. E3 - Rutland Weekend Warning System
  4. E4 - Rutland Weekend Whistle Test
  5. E5 - Rutland Weekend Rain in Hendon
  6. Special - Christmas with Rutland Weekend Television
 Various
1975 Monty Python And The Holy Grail Writer
1975 Monty Python And The Holy Grail Ensemble Actor
1974 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Golden Age Of Ballooning
  2. E2 - Michael Ellis
  3. E3 - The Light Entertainment War
  4. E4 - Hamlet
  5. E5 - Mr. Neutron
  6. E6 - Party Political Broadcast
 Writer
1974 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Golden Age Of Ballooning
  2. E2 - Michael Ellis
  3. E3 - The Light Entertainment War
  4. E4 - Hamlet
  5. E5 - Mr. Neutron
  6. E6 - Party Political Broadcast
 Various
1974 Radio Five - Series 2 Writer
1974 Radio Five - Series 2 Ensemble Actor
1974 Commander Badman Crew
1973 Radio Five - Series 1 Writer
1973 Radio Five - Series 1 Ensemble Actor
1972 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Whicker's World
  2. E2 - Mr. & Mrs. Brian Norris' Ford Popular
  3. E3 - The Money Programme
  4. E4 - Blood, Devastation, Death, War And Horror
  5. E5 - The All-England Summarise Proust Competition
  6. E6 - The War Against Pornography
  7. E7 - Salad Days
  8. E8 - The Cycling Tour
  9. E9 - The Nude Organist
  10. E10 - E. Henry Tripshaw's Disease
  11. E11 - Dennis Moore
  12. E12 - A Book At Bedtime
  13. E13 - Grandstand
 Writer
1972 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Whicker's World
  2. E2 - Mr. & Mrs. Brian Norris' Ford Popular
  3. E3 - The Money Programme
  4. E4 - Blood, Devastation, Death, War And Horror
  5. E5 - The All-England Summarise Proust Competition
  6. E6 - The War Against Pornography
  7. E7 - Salad Days
  8. E8 - The Cycling Tour
  9. E9 - The Nude Organist
  10. E10 - E. Henry Tripshaw's Disease
  11. E11 - Dennis Moore
  12. E12 - A Book At Bedtime
  13. E13 - Grandstand
 Various
1971 And Now For Something Completely Different Writer
1971 And Now For Something Completely Different Various
1971 The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine
  1. E3 - Episode Three
  2. E10 - Episode Ten
 Writer (Additional Material)
1971 The Two Ronnies - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E7 - Episode Seven
  7. E8 - Episode Eight
 Writer
1971 Ronnie Corbett In Bed Writer
1971 The Ronnie Barker Yearbook Writer
1971 The Liver Birds - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Wedding
  2. E2 - Look Before You Leap
  3. E3 - Wilf
  4. E5 - The Good Samaritans
  5. E6 - Three's A Crowd
  6. E8 - The Flat
 Script Editor
1970 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Face The Press
  2. E2 - The Spanish Inquisition
  3. E3 - Deja Vu
  4. E4 - The Buzz Aldrin Show
  5. E5 - Live From The Grill-o-Mat
  6. E6 - It's A Living
  7. E7 - The Attila The Hun Show
  8. E8 - Archaeology Today
  9. E9 - How To Recognise Different Parts Of The Body
  10. E10 - Scott Of The Antarctic
  11. E11 - How Not To Be Seen
  12. E12 - Spam
  13. E13 - Royal Episode 13
 Writer
1970 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Face The Press
  2. E2 - The Spanish Inquisition
  3. E3 - Deja Vu
  4. E4 - The Buzz Aldrin Show
  5. E5 - Live From The Grill-o-Mat
  6. E6 - It's A Living
  7. E7 - The Attila The Hun Show
  8. E8 - Archaeology Today
  9. E9 - How To Recognise Different Parts Of The Body
  10. E10 - Scott Of The Antarctic
  11. E11 - How Not To Be Seen
  12. E12 - Spam
  13. E13 - Royal Episode 13
 Various
1969 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Whither Canada?
  2. E2 - Sex And Violence
  3. E3 - How To Recognise Different Types Of Trees From Quite A Long Way Away
  4. E4 - Owl Stretching Time
  5. E5 - Man's Crisis Of Identity In The Latter Half Of The Twentieth Century
  6. E6 - It's The Arts
  7. E7 - You're No Fun Anymore
  8. E8 - Full Frontal Nudity
  9. E9 - The Ant, An Introduction
  10. E10 - Untitled
  11. E11 - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Goes To The Bathroom
  12. E12 - The Naked Ant
  13. E13 - Intermission
 Writer
1969 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Whither Canada?
  2. E2 - Sex And Violence
  3. E3 - How To Recognise Different Types Of Trees From Quite A Long Way Away
  4. E4 - Owl Stretching Time
  5. E5 - Man's Crisis Of Identity In The Latter Half Of The Twentieth Century
  6. E6 - It's The Arts
  7. E7 - You're No Fun Anymore
  8. E8 - Full Frontal Nudity
  9. E9 - The Ant, An Introduction
  10. E10 - Untitled
  11. E11 - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Goes To The Bathroom
  12. E12 - The Naked Ant
  13. E13 - Intermission
 Various
1969 Hark At Barker - Series 1
  1. E4 - Episode Four
 Writer
1969 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 2 Writer
1969 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 2 Various
1968 We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh Writer
1968 We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh Ensemble Actor
1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 1 Writer
1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 1 Various
1967 No - That's Me Over Here! - Series 1
  1. E3 - Episode Three
  2. E5 - Episode Five
 Actor
1967 No - That's Me Over Here! - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
 Writer
1967 At Last The 1948 Show - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E5 - Episode Five
 Ensemble Actor
1967 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - Series 5
  1. E14 - Episode Fourteen
 Writer (Songs)
1967 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - Series 5
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E3 - Episode Three
  3. E6 - Episode Six
  4. E7 - Episode Seven
  5. E8 - Episode Eight
  6. E9 - Episode Nine
  7. E11 - Episode Eleven
  8. E12 - Episode Twelve
 Writer
1967 The Frost Report - Series 2 Writer
1967 At Last The 1948 Show - Series 1
  1. E3 - Episode Three
 Writer (Additional Material)
1967 At Last The 1948 Show - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E2 - Episode Two
  2. E3 - Episode Three
  3. E4 - Episode Four
 Ensemble Actor
1966 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E2 - Episode Two
  2. E4 - Episode Four
  3. E5 - Episode Five
  4. E7 - Episode Seven
  5. E9 - Episode Nine
  6. E10 - Episode Ten
  7. E12 - Episode Twelve
  8. E14 - Episode Fourteen
 Writer
1966 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - Series 3
  1. E9 - Episode Nine
 Writer (Songs)
1966 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E4 - Episode Four
  2. E6 - Episode Six
  3. E8 - Episode Eight
  4. E9 - Episode Nine
  5. E10 - Episode Ten
  6. E11 - Episode Eleven
  7. E12 - Episode Twelve
  8. E13 - Episode Thirteen
 Writer
1966 The Frost Report - Series 1 Writer
1966 Fancy Saying That Self
1965 I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E8 - Episode Eight
 Writer
1964 Footlights '64 Crew
1964 Footlights '64 Actor

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Eric Idle on IMDb

Born
Monday 29th March 1943 (81 years-old)
Member of
Nationality
English
Home town
South Shields
Resident of
United States
Chortle Awards 2015
Best DVD (Nominee)
Event of the Year (Winner)
British Comedy Awards 2014
Lifetime Achievement Award (Winner (Monty Python))
BAFTA Television Awards 1973
Best Light Entertainment Performance (Nominee)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1972
Best Light Entertainment (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 1970
Best Script (Nominee)
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