MP
Michael Palin
Actor, Writer, Producer, Additional CreditsBorn May 5, 1943 (82 years)
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.
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.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Featured Videos
Michael Palin Filmography
| 2026 | |
| 2022 | Michael Palin: Into Iraq (TV Series) |
| 2022 | |
| 2020 | Staged (TV Series) · as Michael |
| 2019 | Worzel Gummidge (2019) (TV Series) · as The Green Man |
| 2018 | Vanity Fair (2018) (TV Series) · as William Makepeace Thackeray |
| 2017 | The Death of Stalin · as Vyacheslav Molotov |
| 2015 | Clangers (2015) (TV Series) · as Narrator |
| 2015 | Absolutely Anything · as Kindly Alien (voice) |
| 2014 | Remember Me (TV Series) · as Tom Parfitt |
| 2013 | The Wipers Times · as General Mitford |
| 2012 | A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman · as Various (voice) |
| 2011 | Arthur Christmas · as Ernie Clicker (voice) |
| 2010 | Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy · as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis |
| 2008 | Life Of Brian Screenplay · as Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper |
| 2007 | Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind · as Gariiiiiii (voice) |
| 2005 | |
| 2001 | The Human Face (TV Series) · as Applicant |
| 1999 | |
| 1999 | Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python · as Luigi Vercotti |
| 1999 | Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure (TV Series) |
| 1999 | SNL: 25 Years of Music · as Mr. Jenkins |
| 1997 | Fierce Creatures · as Adrian 'bugsy' Malone |
| 1996 | The Willows in Winter · as Rat |
| 1996 | The Wind in the Willows · as The Sun |
| 1995 | The Wind in the Willows · as Rat |
| 1993 | Tracey Ullman: A Class Act · as Various |
| 1991 | GBH (TV Series) · as Jim Nelson |
| 1991 | American Friends · as Rev. Francis Ashby |
| 1990 | The Witches · as Witch At Meeting (uncredited) |
| 1989 | The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Springfield History Museum Curator (voice) |
| 1988 | A Fish Called Wanda · as Ken Pile |
| 1988 | Home and Away (TV Series) · as Surfer |
| 1985 | Monty Pythons galna show · as Various |
| 1985 | Brazil · as Jack Lint |
| 1984 | A Private Function · as Gilbert Chilvers |
| 1984 | The Dress · as Howard |
| 1983 | Monty Python's the Meaning of Life · as Various Roles |
| 1983 | The Crimson Permanent Assurance · as Workman |
| 1982 | The Missionary · as The Reverend Charles Fortescue |
| 1982 | Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl · as Various Roles |
| 1981 | Time Bandits · as Vincent |
| 1981 | The Box · as (voice) |
| 1979 | The Secret Policeman's Ball · as Various Roles |
| 1979 | Monty Python's Life of Brian · as Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus |
| 1979 | The Innes Book of Records (TV Series) · as Police Officer |
| 1979 | Henry Cleans Up · as Henry |
| 1978 | The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash · as Eric Manchester |
| 1977 | The Red Dress · as Cast |
| 1977 | Across the Andes by Frog · as Captain Walter Snetterton |
| 1977 | Jabberwocky · as Dennis Cooper |
| 1976 | Ripping Yarns (TV Series) · as Gerald Whinfrey |
| 1975 | Three Men in a Boat · as Harris |
| 1975 | Monty Python and the Holy Grail · as First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad The Pure / Narrator / King Of Swamp Castle / Brother Maynard's Brother / Leader Of The Knights Who Say Ni! |
| 1973 | Is This a Record? · as Various |
| 1972 | Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (TV Series) · as Various Characters |
| 1971 | Monty Python's and Now for Something Completely Different · as Gumby / Man With Tape Recorder / Phrasebook Author / Arthur Pewtey / Second Self - Defence Student / Second Tenant / Lost His Wallet / Shrill Petrol Announcer / Milkman / Ernest Scribbler / Pet Shop Employee / Lumberjack / Headwaiter Gilberto / Herbert Anchovy / Blackmail Presenter / Gervais Brookhamster / Town Guild Lady |
| 1971 | Montreux 1971 · as Various |
| 1969 | Clangers (TV Series) · as Narrator (voice) |
| 1969 | Monty Python's Flying Circus (TV Series) · as Various / "it's" Man |
| 1969 | How to Irritate People · as Various |
| 1969 | The Complete and Utter History of Britain (TV Series) |
| 1968 | Frost on Sunday (TV Series) |
| 1968 | Marty (TV Series) · as Various |
| 1967 | Do Not Adjust Your Set (TV Series) · as Various Characters |
| 1966 | Isadora · as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited) |
| 1965 | Jackanory (TV Series) · as Storyteller |
| 1965 | Tomorrow's World (TV Series) · as Cold Moulding Expert |
| 2018 | Michael Palin in North Korea (TV Series) |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | Life Of Brian Screenplay · as Screenplay |
| 2007 | Michael Palin's New Europe (TV Series) |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Personal Best (TV Series) |
| 2004 | Himalaya with Michael Palin (TV Series) |
| 2003 | |
| 2002 | Sahara with Michael Palin (TV Series) |
| 2001 | |
| 1999 | |
| 1997 | Full Circle with Michael Palin (TV Series) |
| 1992 | Pole to Pole with Michael Palin (TV Series) |
| 1991 | |
| 1989 | |
| 1989 | Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin (TV Series) |
| 1987 | |
| 1984 | Screen Two (TV Series) |
| 1983 | Monty Python's the Meaning of Life · as Screenplay |
| 1982 | |
| 1982 | |
| 1981 | |
| 1981 | The Box · as Screenplay |
| 1980 | Great Railway Journeys (TV Series) |
| 1979 | Monty Python's Life of Brian · as Screenplay |
| 1979 | |
| 1977 | |
| 1976 | |
| 1976 | Ripping Yarns (TV Series) |
| 1975 | |
| 1973 | |
| 1971 | Monty Python's and Now for Something Completely Different · as Screenplay |
| 1971 | The Two Ronnies (TV Series) |
| 1969 | Monty Python's Flying Circus (TV Series) |
| 1969 | The Complete and Utter History of Britain (TV Series) |
| 1967 | Do Not Adjust Your Set (TV Series) |
| 1966 | The Frost Report (TV Series) |
| 2025 | Michael Palin in Venezuela (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2025 | When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain · as Self |
| 2025 | Innes Lloyd: The Producer · as Self |
| 2024 | Jesus goes to Hollywood · as Self |
| 2024 | Dame Maggie Smith: A Celebration · as Self |
| 2024 | My National Gallery · as Self |
| 2024 | Michael Palin in Nigeria (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2023 | Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs · as Self |
| 2020 | Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2020 | Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy · as Self |
| 2019 | Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes · as Himself |
| 2019 | An Accidental Studio · as Self |
| 2018 | Michael Palin in North Korea (TV Series) · as Himself - Host |
| 2018 | Michael Palin: A Life on Screen · as Self |
| 2016 | Attenborough at 90 · as Self |
| 2014 | The Big Fat Quiz of the Year · as Self |
| 2014 | Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule · as Self |
| 2014 | |
| 2014 | Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) (TV Series) · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2014 | Monty Python Live (Mostly) · as Self, Others |
| 2014 | New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days · as Himself. |
| 2013 | Michael Palin in Wyeth's World · as Himself |
| 2013 | Sir David Frost: That Was the Life That Was · as Self - Writer, 'the Frost Report' |
| 2013 | The Meaning of Monty Python · as Self |
| 2013 | RTL Late Night (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Anatomy of a Liar · as Self |
| 2012 | Brazil With Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Self (presenter) |
| 2012 | The Sarah Millican Television Programme (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | The Secret Policeman's Ball · as Self |
| 2012 | Empire (2012) (TV Series) · as Self - Co-Writer, Ripping Yarns |
| 2011 | Produced By George Martin · as Self |
| 2011 | |
| 2011 | QI Genesis · as Self |
| 2011 | The Jonathan Ross Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | Daybreak (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Monty Python: (Almost) The Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Around the World in 80 Days (2009) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened · as Self |
| 2009 | Skavlan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2008 | Around the World in 20 Years · as Himself |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation · as Self |
| 2008 | Monty Python Conquers America · as Self |
| 2007 | Michael Palin's New Europe (TV Series) · as Himself |
| 2007 | Movie Connections (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | The Alan Titchmarsh Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Tiswas Reunited · as Self |
| 2007 | Comic Relief 2007: The Big One · as Self |
| 2007 | The Graham Norton Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | The Secret Life of Brian · as Self |
| 2006 | Legends (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | 50 Films to See Before You Die · as Self |
| 2006 | CBeebies Bedtime Stories (TV Series) · as Self - Storyteller |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Personal Best (TV Series) · as Self / Various Characters |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | The Roots of Monty Python · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2005 | The 50 Greatest Documentaries · as Self |
| 2005 | Sunday Morning (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Culture Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | Himalaya with Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 2004 | A Year at Kew (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | George Harrison: The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992 · as Self (segment "crackerbox Palace") |
| 2004 | Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute · as Self |
| 2004 | The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2004 | The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2004 | The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2003 | Mark Lawson Talks to... (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Concert for George · as Self |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | imagine... (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Comedy Connections (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Druckfrisch (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television · as Himself - Presenter |
| 2002 | Sahara with Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 2002 | Timeshift (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | V Graham Norton (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Richard & Judy (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations · as Self |
| 2001 | Lorraine (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Football Focus (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2000 | BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2000 | The Unknown Peter Sellers · as Himself |
| 1999 | Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches · as Self |
| 1999 | The Monty Python Story · as Self |
| 1999 | Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm · as Self |
| 1999 | Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | Pythonland · as Self |
| 1998 | |
| 1998 | The Panel (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | Full Circle with Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Himself |
| 1997 | The Unseen Frank Skinner TV Show · as Self |
| 1996 | Go' morgen Danmark (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1996 | VIP World (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | TFI Friday (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1995 | The Frank Skinner Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Live & Kicking (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | GMTV (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Good Morning Australia (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | Heroes of Comedy (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | Pole to Pole with Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Himself |
| 1992 | Later... with Jools Holland (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1990 | Viz: The Documentary · as Self |
| 1990 | Life of Python · as Self / Various Roles |
| 1989 | Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python · as Self / Various Characters |
| 1989 | The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball · as Self |
| 1989 | Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Himself |
| 1989 | Clive Anderson Talks Back (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | John Cleese's First Farewell Performance · as Self |
| 1988 | This Morning (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | John Cleese's First Farewell Performance · as Self |
| 1988 | Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute · as Self |
| 1987 | Going Live! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | The Grand Knockout Tournament · as Self |
| 1986 | Comic Relief · as Self |
| 1985 | What Is Brazil? · as Self |
| 1984 | BBC News at Six (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1983 | The Secret Policeman's Private Parts · as Self |
| 1983 | |
| 1982 | Saturday Superstore (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Timewatch (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | The Secret Policeman's Other Ball · as Self - Various Roles |
| 1982 | Comic Roots (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Wogan (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1980 | Granada Reports (TV Series) · as Self - Special Recognition Award |
| 1980 | Travels With Palin (TV Series) · as Himself |
| 1980 | Great Railway Journeys (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 1980 | Newsnight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1979 | Friday Night Saturday Morning (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1979 | The Pythons · as Self |
| 1978 | The South Bank Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1977 | To See Such Fun · as Self |
| 1977 | Everyman (TV Series) · as Self - Introduction |
| 1976 | Pleasure at Her Majesty's · as Self |
| 1976 | Standing Room Only (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 1975 | Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Sunday meetings (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | |
| 1972 | Pebble Mill at One (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | ITV Lunchtime News (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | The Midnight Special (TV Series) · as Self - Monty Python's Flying Circus |
| 1971 | Film (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | Parkinson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1967 | The Phil Donahue Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1967 | Omnibus (1967) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1967 | News at Ten (TV Series) · as Self - Former 'monty Python' Actor |
| 1964 | Top of the Pops (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1962 | The Late Late Show (IE) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1955 | This is Your Life (UK) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1954 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | Benjamin Huntsman · as Executive Producer |
| 1982 |
| 2024 | Time Bandits (TV Series) · as Characters |
| 2012 | Brazil With Michael Palin (TV Series) · as Written By |
| 1999 | Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure (TV Series) · as Written By |
| 1997 | Fierce Creatures · as Idea For "the Fierce Animal Policy" |
| 1988 | Consuming Passions · as Theatre Play |
| 1982 | Comic Roots (TV Series) · as Written By |
| 1973 | Is This a Record? · as Additional Material |
| 1972 | Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (TV Series) · as Written By |
| 1971 | Montreux 1971 · as Written By |
| 1968 | Frost on Sunday (TV Series) · as Script |
| 1968 | Marty (TV Series) · as Additional Material |
| 1965 | Jackanory (TV Series) · as Book |