Monty Python and the Holy Grail1975
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!
TMDb 7.8 / 10
Michael Palin
Born
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.
Filmography (155)
The Magic Faraway Tree2026
As Know All
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Life of Brian1979
As Wise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus
TMDb 7.8 / 10
Arthur Christmas2011
As Ernie Clicker (voice)
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Brazil1985
As Jack Lint
TMDb 7.7 / 10
The Witches1990
As Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Death of Stalin2017
As Vyacheslav Molotov
TMDb 7.0 / 10
A Fish Called Wanda1988
As Ken Pile
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Absolutely Anything2015
As Kindly Alien (voice)
TMDb 5.9 / 10
Time Bandits1981
As Vincent
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life1983
As Various Roles
TMDb 7.3 / 10
And Now for Something Completely Different1971
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
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Jabberwocky1977
As Dennis Cooper
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Hitler: The Comedy Years2007
As Heinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Fierce Creatures1997
As Adrian "Bugsy" Malone
TMDb 6.2 / 10
The Wind in the Willows1996
As The Sun
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Joke2026
TMDb 6.0 / 10
A Private Function1984
As Gilbert Chilvers
TMDb 6.4 / 10
David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth2026
As Self
TMDb 7.0 / 10
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman2012
As Various (voice)
TMDb 5.9 / 10
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)2010
As Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Wind in the Willows1995
As Rat (voice)
TMDb 7.1 / 10
The Missionary1982
As The Reverend Charles Fortescue
TMDb 5.6 / 10
The Willows in Winter1996
As Rat
TMDb 6.7 / 10
An Accidental Studio2019
As Self
TMDb 6.4 / 10
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash1978
As Eric Manchester
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Concert for George2003
As Self
TMDb 8.1 / 10
Jeepers Creepers2020
As Newscaster (voice)
TMDb 4.0 / 10
50 Films to See Before You Die2006
As Self
TMDb 8.4 / 10
Monty Python: Live at Aspen1998
As Self
TMDb 7.1 / 10
The Secret Policeman's Ball2012
As Self
TMDb 7.6 / 10
Monty Python Conquers America2008
As Self
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Monty Python Live (Mostly)2014
As Self, others
TMDb 7.1 / 10
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy2014
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl1982
As Various Roles
TMDb 7.4 / 10
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule2014
As Self
TMDb 7.5 / 10
The Crimson Permanent Assurance1983
As Workman
TMDb 7.2 / 10
The Secret Life of Brian2007
As Self
TMDb 7.7 / 10
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best2006
As Various Characters
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python1989
As Self / Various Characters
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Attenborough at 902016
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Pleasure at Her Majesty's1976
As Self
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated2021
As Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration2024
As Self
TMDb 4.5 / 10
Murder at Moorstones Manor1977
As Charles Chiddingford
TMDb 8.5 / 10
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi2005
As Host
TMDb 7.0 / 10
American Friends1991
As Rev. Francis Ashby
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?2004
As Self
TMDb 4.8 / 10
Roger of the Raj1979
As Roger
TMDb 8.0 / 10
The Fringe, Fame and Me2022
As Self
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live2014
As Self
TMDb 7.4 / 10
What Is Brazil?2008
As Self
TMDb 6.6 / 10
The Roots of Monty Python2005
As Self (archive footage)
How to Irritate People1969
As Various
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Three Men in a Boat1975
As Harris
TMDb 6.2 / 10
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball1989
As Self
TMDb 7.7 / 10
The Grand Knockout Tournament1987
As Self
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Generation '662016
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World1966
As Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Life Of Brian Screenplay
Life Of Brian Screenplay2008
As Wise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best2006
As Various Characters
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Frost on Sketch Shows2013
As Self
TMDb 8.5 / 10
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute1988
As Self
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Henry Cleans Up1974
As Henry
Making Qi2011
As Self
The Secret Policeman's Ball1979
As Various Roles
TMDb 6.4 / 10
My National Gallery, London2024
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best2006
As Various Characters
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened2009
As Self
TMDb 8.4 / 10
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus2008
As Self
TMDb 7.7 / 10
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind2007
As Gariiiiiii (voice)
TMDb 5.1 / 10
Secrets of the Bayeux Tapestry: Inside the Museum2026
As Narrator
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Innes Lloyd: The Producer2025
As Self
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best2006
As Various Characters
Meridian: The First Ten Minutes
Meridian: The First Ten Minutes1993
As Self
What the Pythons Did Next...2007
As Self (archive footage)
Across the Andes by Frog1977
As Captain Walter Snetterton
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball1982
As Self - Various Roles
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Produced by George Martin2012
As Self
TMDb 7.4 / 10
The Movie Life of George1989
As Self
Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute2002
As Self
TMDb 9.0 / 10
The Dress1984
As Howard
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Meaning of Monty Python2013
As Self
TMDb 7.4 / 10
Tomkinson's Schooldays1976
As Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Anatomy of a Liar2012
As Self
TMDb 6.3 / 10
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations2001
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Golden Gordon1979
As Gordon Ottershaw
TMDb 8.0 / 10
John Peel's Record Box2005
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
The Monty Python Story1999
As Self
Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television2002
As Self - Presenter
TMDb 8.4 / 10
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 32004
As Self (archive footage)
The Academy of Armando2025
As Self
TMDb 1.0 / 10
Monty Python In The Netherlands1973
As Pie Face 3
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Monty Python: Who's There?1970
As Ken
TMDb 6.0 / 10
The Wipers Times2013
As General Mitford
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Life of Python1990
As Self / Various Roles
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm1999
As Self
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report1974
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar2014
As Self
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation2008
As Self
TMDb 7.8 / 10
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 19791979
As Self
TMDb 7.3 / 10
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 12004
As Self (archive footage)
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'2004
As Self
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails2019
As Self (archive footage)
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release2010
As Self
Monty Python in Aberystwyth2009
As Self
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema
The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema2011
As Self
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 19711971
Euroshow '71: May Day Special1971
As Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
TMDb 10.0 / 10
When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain2025
As Self
TMDb 8.7 / 10
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen2018
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes2019
As Self
Comedians Do It On Stage1986
As Self
Is This a Record?1973
As Various
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Palin on Redpath1997
As Self - Presenter
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best2006
As Various Characters
TMDb 10.0 / 10
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'2003
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Michael Palin In Wyeth's World2013
As Self
TMDb 7.8 / 10
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite1977
As Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager
TMDb 8.5 / 10
The Philosophers' Football Match1972
As Nietzsche
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia2015
As Self
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy2020
As Self
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act1993
As Various
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns2014
As Self
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 22004
As Self (archive footage)
TMDb 9.0 / 10
The Curse of the Claw1977
As Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack
Around the World in 20 Years2008
As Self
TMDb 8.7 / 10
Comic Roots: Michael Palin1983
As Self / Jealous Reporter
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Viz: The Documentary1990
As Self
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace2014
As Self
Close-Up Toothpaste RelaunchRelease date TBA
As salesman
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B1977
As Major Errol Phipps
TMDb 9.5 / 10
The Unknown Peter Sellers2000
As Self
TMDb 8.2 / 10
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs2023
As Self
TMDb 9.0 / 10
The Seventh Python2008
As Self
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches1999
As Self
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best2006
As Fish-Slapping Guide / Various Roles (archive footage)
New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days2014
As Self
The Box1981
As (voice)
TMDb 5.0 / 10
The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything2014
Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles'2008
As Self
Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian”1978
As Commentator / Self
30 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation1999
As Self
Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles'2008
As Self
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall2010
The First Night of Meridian
The First Night of Meridian1993
As Self - Host
Whinfrey's Last Case1979
As Gerald Whinfrey
TMDb 9.5 / 10
Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk1991
As Narrator (voice)
Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One2008
As Presenter
The Broken Bottle1977
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation
Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation2020
As Self
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Ending It All1970
Monty Python: Pythonland1999
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse2003
As Self - Presenter
The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin1989
As Self
Filmography and biography: TMDb