British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Michael Palin
Michael Palin

Michael Palin

  • 81 years old
  • English
  • Actor, writer and presenter
  1. 5th September: Terry Jones statue proposed for his Colwyn Bay home town
Michael Palin. Copyright: BBC

Sir Michael Palin CBE is an English actor, comedian, writer and television presenter. He formed a creative partnership with Terry Jones in the mid-1960s, creating, writing and acting in various sketch, satire and childrens' comedy programmes, leading the duo to became part of the new Monty Python group. A string of successful TV and film roles followed, and since 1989 has fronted a range of popular and acclaimed international travel documentaries.

Year Production Role
2024 The Jonathan Ross Show - Series 21
  1. E6 - Michael Palin, Anthony Joshua, Lulu, Laura Smyth, Jungle
 Guest
2024 Slapstick Festival Self
2024 This Cultural Life: Michael Palin Self
2024 This Cultural Life: Michael Palin Self
2023 Bradley Walsh's Comedy Legends
  1. E3 - Double Acts
 Self (Archive Material)
2023 Cheltenham Literature Festival Self
2023 Comedy Classics: Fawlty Towers Self
2023 Slapstick Festival Self
2022 Michael Palin: From North Korea Into Iraq Self
2022 Great Lives - Spike Milligan Self (Archive Material)
2022 The Fringe, Fame And Me Self
2021 Starship Titanic Encyclopaedia Galactica
2021 Michael Palin's Memory Palaces Host / Presenter
2021 The Jonathan Ross Show - Special Guests: Series 1
  1. Special - Highlights Special
 Guest
2021 Staged - Series 2
  1. E1 - Saddle Up Sheen!
 Self
2020 The Jonathan Ross Show - Series 16
  1. E8 - Michael Palin, Kylie Minogue, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan, Joel Dommett
 Guest
2020 Peter Sellers: A State Of Comic Ecstasy Self
2019 Worzel Gummidge
  1. E2 - The Green Man
 The Green Man
2019 The Graham Norton Show - Series 26
  1. E10 - Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jodie Whittaker, Michael Palin, Harry Styles
 Guest
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 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
 Host / Presenter
2019 Michael Palin: Live On Stage - Erebus, Python And Other Stories Self
2019 The Jonathan Ross Show - Series 14
  1. E9 - Michael Palin, Alexander Armstrong, Ashley Banjo, Katherine Ryan, Michael Sheen, Mark Ronson, Lukke Li
 Guest
2018 There Was A Young Fellow Named Palin Writer
2018 There Was A Young Fellow Named Palin Host / Presenter
2018 The Hartlepool Spy Cavendish
2018 Spike Milligan: Inside Out
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
 Host / Presenter
2018 Michael Palin: A Life On Screen Self
2017 Michael Palin's Radio Adventures Self
2017 The Death Of Stalin Vyacheslav Molotov
2017 Festival Tales: Edinburgh At 70 Self
2017 David Jason: My Life On Screen
  1. E1 - Episode One
 Self
2017 The Weekend Writer
2017 The Weekend Actor
2016 Remembering Ronnie Corbett Self
2016 Richard E. Grant On... Ealing Comedies
  1. E1 - Passport To Success
  2. E2 - Kind Hearts And Accolades
  3. E3 - Killer Jokes
 Self
2016 The Roots Of Monty Python Self (Archive Material)
2016 Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down Five to Go Self
2016 Channel 4's Comedy Gala
  1. Channel 4's Comedy Gala 2016
 Self
2015 Talking Pictures: Great British Comedies Self (Archive Material)
2015 Barry Cryer At 80 Self
2015 Absolutely Anything Kindly Alien (Voice)
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
  1. E5 - Michael Palin
 Writer
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
  1. E5 - Michael Palin
 Fish Slapper
2015 Monty Python's Personal Best
  1. E2 - Graham Chapman
 Self
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)
2014 Rik Mayall: Lord Of Misrule Self
2014 The British Comedy Awards
  1. E2 - British Comedy Awards 2014
 Self
2014 Spike Milligan: Love, Light And Peace Self
2014 The Jonathan Ross Show - Series 7
  1. E5 - Gordon Ramsay, Michael Palin, Katherine Jenkins, Carey Mulligan, Kasabian
 Guest
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
 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 Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns Self
2013 The Graham Norton Show - Series 14
  1. Special - Monty Python, Anchorman 2, Joan and Jackie Collins, Frank Skinner, Michael Bublé
 Guest
2013 The Sarah Millican Television Programme - Winter Specials
  1. Special - The Best Of The Sarah Millican Television Programme Vol. 1
  2. Special - The Best Of The Sarah Millican Television Programme Vol. 2
 Guest
2013 The Meaning Of Monty Python Self
2013 Sir David Frost: That Was The Life That Was Self
2013 The Sarah Millican Television Programme - Series 3
  1. E2 - Episode Two
 Guest
2013 David Frost - Hello, Good Evening & Farewell Self
2013 Frost On Sketch Shows Self
2013 Radio 2's History Of British Comedy
  1. E3 - Episode Three
 Self (Archive Material)
2013 A Liar's Autobiography Himself (Voice)
2013 A Liar's Autobiography Father (Voice)
2013 A Liar's Autobiography Interview Don 1 (Voice)
2013 A Liar's Autobiography Queen Mother (Voice)
2013 A Liar's Autobiography Hibbern (Voice)
2012 The Graham Norton Show - Series 12
  1. E5 - Helena Bonham Carter, Jack Whitehall, Michael Palin, Michael Bublé
 Guest
2012 The Late Great Eric Sykes Self
2012 John Le Mesurier: It's All Been Rather Lovely Guest
2012 Perspectives: Sergeant On Spike 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
2011 Arthur Christmas Ernie Clicker (Voice)
2011 QI - Making Of Special
  1. QI Genesis
 Guest
2011 Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus! Guest
2011 That Sunday Night Show - Series 1
  1. E1 - Episode One
 Self
2010 Being Ronnie Corbett Self
2010 Not The Messiah Self
2009 The Graham Norton Show - Series 6
  1. E7 - Episode Seven
  2. Special - Highlights Special
 Guest
2009 Monty Python's Wonderful World Of Sound Self
2009 He's Not The Messiah, He's A Very Naughty Boy Self
2009 Halfway To Hollywood
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
 Writer
2009 Halfway To Hollywood
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
 Host / Presenter
2009 Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
View episodes
  1. E1 - Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
  2. E2 - Fawlty Towers Exclusive: Basil's Best Bits
 Self
2008 The Man Who Made Eric & Ernie Self
2008 Marty Feldman - Six Degrees Of Separation Self
2008 The Frost Report Is Back! Self
2007 Make 'Em Laugh, Make 'Em Laugh
  1. E1 - The Family, Love 'Em And Hate 'Em
 Self
2006 Michael Palin Diaries: The Python Years Writer
2006 Michael Palin Diaries: The Python Years Narrator
2005 Friday Night With Jonathan Ross - Series 8
  1. E14 - Jennifer Connelly, Nigel Harman, Michael Palin, Moby
 Guest
2004 The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year - Series 1
  1. E17 - The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2014
 Self
2004 Arena: Remember The Secret Policeman's Ball? Self
2004 Peter Cook In His Own Words
View episodes
  1. E1 - 1959-1965
  2. E2 - 1966-1973
  3. E3 - 1974-1982
  4. E4 - 1983-1994
 Host / Presenter
2004 Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute Self
2002 Peter Cook - A Posthumorous Tribute Self
2002 Spike Milligan... I Told You I Was Ill... A Live Tribute Self
2002 Heroes Of Comedy - Series 6
  1. E3 - Spike Milligan
 Self
2001 Best Sellers: The Life And Times Of Peter Sellers
View episodes
  1. E2 - 1951-1962
  2. E3 - 1962-1968
  3. E4 - 1968-1980
 Self
2000 The Unknown Peter Sellers Self
1999 It's... The Monty Python Story Self
1998 Fantasy Football - Series 4 - Fantasy World Cup
  1. E11 - Episode Eleven
 Guest
1998 A Loose Canon Self
1998 Heroes Of Comedy - Series 3
  1. E2 - Peter Cook
 Self
1997 Heroes Of Comedy - Series 2
  1. E4 - The Goons
 Self
1997 Fierce Creatures Adrian
1997 Ronnie Barker - A Life In Comedy Self
1993 Tracey Ullman: A Class Act Ensemble Actor
1991 American Friends Creator
1991 American Friends Writer
1991 American Friends Francis Ashby
1989 Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years Of Monty Python Various
1988 A Fish Called Wanda Ken Pile
1988 Number 27 Writer
1987 East Of Ipswich Writer
1986 Comedians Do It On Stage Self
1984 A Private Function Gilbert Chilvers
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life Writer
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life Various
1983 The Missionary Producer
1983 The Missionary Writer
1983 The Missionary Charles W. Fortescue
1983 Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl Various
1981 The Box Writer
1981 The Box Frenchman (Voice)
1979 Monty Python's Life Of Brian Writer
1979 Monty Python's Life Of Brian Various
1979 Ripping Yarns - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Whinfrey's Last Case
  2. E2 - Golden Gordon
  3. E3 - Roger Of The Raj
 Writer
1979 Ripping Yarns - Series 2
  1. E1 - Whinfrey's Last Case
 Gerald Whinfrey
1979 Ripping Yarns - Series 2
  1. E1 - Whinfrey's Last Case
 TV Introducer
1979 Ripping Yarns - Series 2
  1. E2 - Golden Gordon
 Gordon Ottershaw
1979 Ripping Yarns - Series 2
  1. E3 - Roger Of The Raj
 Roger
1978 All You Need Is Cash Eric Manchester
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E5 - The Curse Of The Claw
 Sir Kevin Orr
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E5 - The Curse Of The Claw
 Uncle Jack
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Testing Of Eric Olthwaite
  2. E2 - Escape From Stalag Luft 112 B
  3. E3 - Murder At Moorstones Manor
  4. E4 - Across The Andes By Frog
  5. E5 - The Curse Of The Claw
 Writer
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E4 - Across The Andes By Frog
 Captain Walter Snetterton
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1 Various
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E1 - The Testing Of Eric Olthwaite
 Eric Olthwaite
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E1 - The Testing Of Eric Olthwaite
 Bank Manager
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E2 - Escape From Stalag Luft 112 B
 Major Phipps
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E2 - Escape From Stalag Luft 112 B
 Chips
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E3 - Murder At Moorstones Manor
 Charles Chiddingfold
1977 Ripping Yarns - Series 1
  1. E3 - Murder At Moorstones Manor
 Hugo Chiddingfold
1976 The Two Ronnies - Series 5
View episodes
  1. E4 - Episode Four
  2. E6 - Episode Six
  3. E7 - Episode Seven
 Writer
1976 Ripping Yarns - Tomkinson's Schooldays Writer
1976 Ripping Yarns - Tomkinson's Schooldays
  1. Tomkinson's Schooldays
 Tomkinson
1976 Ripping Yarns - Tomkinson's Schooldays
  1. Tomkinson's Schooldays
 The Headmaster
1976 Ripping Yarns - Tomkinson's Schooldays
  1. Tomkinson's Schooldays
 TV Introducer
1976 Ripping Yarns - Tomkinson's Schooldays
  1. Tomkinson's Schooldays
 Mr. Craffitt
1975 Monty Python And The Holy Grail Writer
1975 Monty Python And The Holy Grail Ensemble Actor
1975 Three Men In A Boat Harris
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
1973 The Two Ronnies - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E3 - Episode Three
  3. E4 - Episode Four
 Writer
1973 Black And Blue
  1. E1 - Secrets
 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
 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
1972 The Two Ronnies - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E2 - Episode Two
 Writer
1971 And Now For Something Completely Different Writer
1971 And Now For Something Completely Different Various
1971 Lines From My Grandfather's Forehead - Series 1
  1. Special - Lines From My Grandfather Christmas's Forehead
 Writer
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
 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
 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. E7 - Episode Seven
 Interviewer
1969 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 2 Writer
1969 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 2 Various
1969 The Complete And Utter History Of Britain
View episodes
  1. E1 - From The Dawn Of History To The Norman Conquest
  2. E2 - Richard The Lionheart To Robin The Hood
  3. E3 - Edward The First To Richard The Last
  4. E4 - Perkin Warbeck To Bloody Mary
  5. E5 - The Great And Glorious Age Of Elizabeth
  6. E6 - James The McFirst To Oliver Cromwell
 Writer
1969 The Complete And Utter History Of Britain
View episodes
  1. E1 - From The Dawn Of History To The Norman Conquest
  2. E2 - Richard The Lionheart To Robin The Hood
  3. E3 - Edward The First To Richard The Last
  4. E4 - Perkin Warbeck To Bloody Mary
  5. E5 - The Great And Glorious Age Of Elizabeth
  6. E6 - James The McFirst To Oliver Cromwell
 Various
1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 1 Writer
1967 Do Not Adjust Your Set - Series 1 Various
1967 Twice A Fortnight Writer
1967 Twice A Fortnight Various
1967 The Frost Report - Series 2 Writer
1967 A Series Of Bird's Writer (Additional Material)
1966 The Late Show Writer
1966 The Frost Report - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E6 - The News
 Writer

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Michael Palin on IMDb

Born
Wednesday 5th May 1943 (81 years-old)
Title
Sir Michael Palin
Sir Michael Palin CBE
Michael Palin CBE
Full name
Michael Edward Palin
Member of
Nationality
English
BAFTA Scotland Awards 2021
Best Factual Series (Nominee (Michael Palin: Travels In A Lifetime))
National Television Awards, The 2020
Special Recognition (Winner)
RTS Awards 2019
Presenter (Nominee)
Edinburgh TV Festival Awards 2018
Lifetime Achievement (Winner)
Chortle Awards 2015
Best DVD (Nominee)
Event of the Year (Winner)
British Comedy Awards 2014
Lifetime Achievement Award (Winner (Monty Python))
BAFTA Television Awards 2013
BAFTA Fellowship (Winner)
Slapstick Festival Awards 2010
Award for Visual Comedy (Winner)
BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2005
Special Award (Winner)
RTS Awards 2005
Presenter (Winner)
British Book Awards 2005
TV and Film Book of the Year (Winner)
British Book Awards 2003
Illustrated Book of the Year (Winner)
British Comedy Awards 2002
Lifetime Achievement Award (Winner)
Radio Academy Awards (Sony) 1994
Best Actor (Nominee)
British Book Awards 1993
Travel Writer of the Year (Winner)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1990
Best Screenplay (Winner)
BAFTA Film Awards 1989
Best Supporting Actor (Winner)
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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