John Cleese
At this point, calling John Cleese a comedy legend feels almost redundant. Monty Python co-founder. Creator of Fawlty Towers. Star of A Fish Called Wanda. The man’s influence is stitched into the DNA of modern comedy.
But what makes Cleese truly remarkable isn’t just the resume—it’s the razor-sharp mind behind it all. Equal parts absurdist, philosopher, and professional provocateur, John Cleese has spent decades making us laugh, think, and occasionally squirm.
Cleese burst into the mainstream in the late 1960s with the surreal, anarchic brilliance of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a show that redefined sketch comedy and satire forever. Whether playing a deadpan bureaucrat, a clueless upper-class twit, or a man locked in an eternal argument at the Ministry of Silly Walks, Cleese’s performances were bold, brainy, and totally unpredictable.
Then came Fawlty Towers, which he co-wrote and starred in as the perpetually flustered hotel manager Basil Fawlty. With just 12 episodes, the show became one of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms in TV history—equal parts slapstick chaos and character-driven brilliance.
Beyond sketch comedy, Cleese is a master storyteller, an outspoken critic of bureaucracy and political correctness, and a passionate advocate for creativity and curiosity. His live shows combine stand-up, storytelling, and sharp-tongued Q&As—less a comedy routine than a one-man masterclass in wit and cultural commentary.
Whether he's dissecting the psychology of laughter or poking fun at cancel culture, Cleese reminds us that great comedy doesn't pander—it provokes.
Now well into his 80s, Cleese is still touring the world with his show An Evening with John Cleese, offering fans a front-row seat to his irreverent brilliance and behind-the-scenes tales from a life of comedic rebellion. Yes, he’s cranky. Yes, he’s controversial. But he’s also still one of the sharpest minds in entertainment.
And if you're lucky enough to see him live, remember: don’t mention the war.
Essential Cleese Watching:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Fawlty Towers
Life of Brian
A Fish Called Wanda
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
Quote to Remember:
“If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.” – John Cleese
