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Michael Palin

Actor

Michael Palin

  • Born: 5 May 1943, Birmingham, England
  • Estimated net worth: $15 million

Michael Palin is a British actor, writer, and television presenter known for his work in comedy and travel documentaries. He gained fame as a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe, notably in films like 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' Palin is…

About Michael Palin

Michael Palin is a British actor, writer, and television presenter known for his work in comedy and travel documentaries. He gained fame as a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe, notably in films like 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' Palin is celebrated for his distinctive voice, charm, and ability to engage audiences through humor and exploration.

Born
5 May 1943, Birmingham, England
Known for
Acting
Height
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Spouses
Helen G. Palin (1966-present)
Children
3 children: Thomas, William, and Rachel
Parents
Edward Palin, Mary Palin
Estimated net worth
$15 million

Fun facts about Michael Palin

  • Michael Palin was originally trained as a journalist before entering the world of comedy and television.
  • He has received numerous awards for his travel documentaries, showcasing his passion for exploring cultures around the world.

Famous Michael Palin quotes

“And now for something completely different.”
Monty Python's Flying Circus, 1969
“I have a dream, and that dream is to become a great traveler.”
Around the World in 80 Days, 1989
“The only thing I can do is to be myself.”
The Missionary, 1982

Michael Palin filmography

Cast (232)

YearTitleCharacterRating
2026Michael Palin in the Philippines TVSelf - Presenter6.0
2026Secrets of the Bayeux Tapestry: Inside the Museum MovieNarrator7.5
2026David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth MovieSelf7.0
2026The Magic Faraway Tree MovieKnow All6.7
2026Small Prophets TVBrian8.2
2026Joke MovieUnknown character6.0
2025Michael Palin in Venezuela TVSelf - Presenter6.4
2025The Secret Life of Trees TVSelf - Narrator7.0
2025When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain MovieSelf8.7
2025Innes Lloyd: The Producer MovieSelf7.0
Show 222 more credits
YearTitleCharacterRating
2025The Academy of Armando MovieSelf1.0
2025David Frost Vs TVself6.9
2024Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration MovieSelf4.5
2024My National Gallery, London MovieSelf8.0
2024Michael Palin in Nigeria TVSelf - Presenter7.6
2023Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs MovieSelf9.0
2022Michael Palin: Into Iraq TVSelf - Presenter8.3
2022The Fringe, Fame and Me MovieSelf
2022Remembers… TVUnknown character7.0
2021Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated MovieSelf (archive footage)(uncredited)
2020Jeepers Creepers MovieNewscaster (voice)4.0
2020Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime TVSelf - Host8.0
2020Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation MovieSelf5.7
2020Staged TVMichael7.9
2020Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy MovieSelf8.0
2019Worzel Gummidge TVThe Green Man6.4
2019Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails MovieSelf (archive footage)9.0
2019An Accidental Studio MovieSelf6.4
2019Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes MovieSelf
2018Michael Palin in North Korea TVSelf - Presenter7.7
2018Vanity Fair TVWilliam Makepeace Thackeray7.2
2018Michael Palin: A Life on Screen MovieUnknown character7.0
2017The Death of Stalin MovieVyacheslav Molotov7.0
2016Generation '66 MovieUnknown character7.0
2016Attenborough at 90 MovieSelf8.0
2015Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia MovieSelf7.0
2015Clangers TVNarrator (voice)6.0
2015Artsnight TVSelf
2015Absolutely Anything MovieKindly Alien (voice)5.9
2014A Life on Screen TVSelf8.0
2014Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule MovieSelf7.5
2014Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace MovieSelf
2014Remember Me TVTom Parfitt6.9
2014Monty Python: The Meaning of Live MovieSelf7.4
2014Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) TVSelf (archive footage)2.0
2014Monty Python Live (Mostly) MovieSelf, others7.2
2014Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar MovieSelf6.0
201450 Years of BBC Two Comedy MovieSelf8.0
2014The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything MovieUnknown character
2014Alexander Armstrong's Real Ripping Yarns MovieSelf
2014New Tales from Around the World in 80 Days MovieSelf
2013Michael Palin In Wyeth's World MovieSelf7.8
2013The Meaning of Monty Python MovieSelf7.4
2013The Wipers Times MovieGeneral Mitford6.3
2013Frost on Sketch Shows MovieSelf8.5
2012A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman MovieVarious (voice)5.9
2012Anatomy of a Liar MovieSelf6.3
2012Brazil with Michael Palin TVSelf - Presenter7.5
2012Produced by George Martin MovieSelf7.7
2012The Secret Policeman's Ball MovieSelf7.6
2011Arthur Christmas MovieErnie Clicker (voice)6.8
2011Making Qi MovieSelf
2011The Jonathan Ross Show TVSelf5.2
2011Perspectives TVSelf
2011The Phoenix: A Century of Cinema MovieSelf
2010ZULU Comedy Galla TVMichael Palin10.0
2010Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall MovieUnknown character
2010Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) MovieMrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis7.0
2010Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release MovieSelf
2009Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) TVSelf7.6
2009Monty Python in Aberystwyth MovieSelf
2009Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened MovieSelf8.4
2008Around the World in 20 Years MovieSelf8.7
2008Inside Shabby Road: The Music of 'The Rutles' MovieSelf
2008Timewatch: The Last Day of World War One‎ MoviePresenter
2008Get Up and Go: The Making of 'The Rutles' MovieSelf
2008Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus MovieSelf7.7
2008The Seventh Python MovieSelf
2008What Is Brazil? MovieSelf6.6
2008Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation MovieSelf7.8
2008Life Of Brian Screenplay MovieWise Man #3, Mr. Big Nose, Francis, Mrs. A, Ex-Leper
2008Monty Python Conquers America MovieSelf6.2
2007Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind MovieGariiiiiii (voice)5.1
2007Michael Palin's New Europe TVSelf - Presenter7.6
2007Movie Connections TVSelf
2007The Alan Titchmarsh Show TVSelf4.5
2007Hitler: The Comedy Years MovieHeinrich Himmler (archive footage) (uncredited)5.0
2007The Graham Norton Show TVSelf7.2
2007The Secret Life of Brian MovieSelf7.7
2007What the Pythons Did Next... MovieSelf (archive footage)
2006Legends TVSelf5.0
2006The One Show TVSelf - Guest4.3
200650 Films to See Before You Die MovieSelf8.4
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus-John Cleese's Personal Best MovieVarious Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus-Terry Gilliam's Personal Best MovieVarious Characters7.0
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus - Michael Palin's Personal Best MovieFish-Slapping Guide / Various Roles (archive footage)
2006Monty Python's Personal Best TVSelf / Various Characters5.7
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus-Graham Chapman's Personal Best MovieVarious Characters10.0
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus-Graham Chapman's Personal Best MovieVarious Characters
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus-Eric Idle's Personal Best MovieVarious Characters8.0
2005The Roots of Monty Python MovieSelf (archive footage)
2005John Peel's Record Box MovieSelf8.0
2005Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi MovieHost7.0
2004Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? MovieSelf4.8
2004Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' MovieSelf5.8
2004Himalaya with Michael Palin TVSelf - Presenter8.2
2004Parkinson TVSelf - Guest7.0
2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 MovieSelf (archive footage)9.0
2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 MovieSelf (archive footage)9.0
2004The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 MovieSelf (archive footage)
2003Concert for George MovieSelf8.1
2003The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' MovieSelf8.0
2003Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse MovieSelf - Presenter
2002Life on Air: David Attenborough's 50 Years in Television MovieSelf - Presenter8.4
2002Sahara with Michael Palin TVSelf - Presenter7.6
2002Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute MovieSelf9.0
2001The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations MovieSelf8.0
2000The Unknown Peter Sellers MovieSelf8.2
1999Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure TVUnknown character7.1
1999The Monty Python Story MovieSelf
1999Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm MovieSelf
1999Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches MovieSelf
199930 Years of Monty Python, a Revelation MovieSelf
1999Monty Python: Pythonland MovieUnknown character
1998Fantasy World Cup TVSelf5.0
1998Monty Python: Live at Aspen MovieSelf7.1
1998Parkinson TVSelf - Guest
1997Palin on Redpath MovieSelf - Presenter
1997Full Circle with Michael Palin TVSelf7.7
1997Fierce Creatures MovieAdrian "Bugsy" Malone6.2
1996The Willows in Winter MovieRat6.7
1996The Wind in the Willows MovieThe Sun5.8
1996Clive Anderson All Talk TVSelf7.5
1996TFI Friday TVUnknown character7.1
1995The Wind in the Willows MovieRat (voice)7.1
1995The Frank Skinner Show TVSelf7.5
1993Late Night with Conan O'Brien TVSelf - Guest7.3
1993Tracey Ullman: A Class Act MovieVarious10.0
1993Meridian: The First Ten Minutes MovieSelf
1993The First Night of Meridian MovieSelf - Host
1992Pole to Pole TVSelf7.9
1991Rabbit Ears - Jack and the Beanstalk MovieNarrator (voice)
1991G.B.H. TVJim Nelson6.3
1991American Friends MovieRev. Francis Ashby6.3
1990The Witches MovieWitch at Meeting (uncredited)7.0
1990Viz: The Documentary MovieSelf
1990Life of Python MovieSelf / Various Roles6.2
1989The Simpsons TVSpringfield History Museum curator (voice)8.0
1989Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python MovieSelf / Various Characters7.2
1989Michael Palin: The Art of Travel TVUnknown character
1989The Art Of Travel With Michael Palin MovieSelf
1989Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days TVSelf7.5
1989The Movie Life of George MovieSelf
1989The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball MovieSelf7.7
1988A Fish Called Wanda MovieKen Pile7.2
1988Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute MovieSelf6.5
1987Daytime Live TVUnknown character3.5
1987Going Live! TVSelf8.0
1987The Grand Knockout Tournament MovieSelf6.8
1986Omnibus Presents Comic Relief TVUnknown character4.0
1986Comedians Do It On Stage MovieSelf
1985Brazil MovieJack Lint7.7
1985Friday People TVUnknown character
1984A Private Function MovieGilbert Chilvers6.4
1984The Dress MovieHoward7.0
1983Comic Roots: Michael Palin MovieSelf / Jealous Reporter8.0
1983Monty Python's The Meaning of Life MovieVarious Roles7.3
1983The Crimson Permanent Assurance MovieWorkman7.2
1982The Missionary MovieThe Reverend Charles Fortescue5.6
1982Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl MovieVarious Roles7.4
1982Wogan TVSelf5.6
1982The Secret Policeman's Other Ball MovieSelf - Various Roles6.3
1981Time Bandits MovieVincent6.6
1981The Box Movie(voice)5.0
1980Travels with Palin TVSelf8.0
1980Great Railway Journeys TVSelf - Presenter7.0
1979The Secret Policeman's Ball MovieVarious Roles6.4
1979Roger of the Raj MovieRoger8.0
1979Golden Gordon MovieGordon Ottershaw8.0
1979Whinfrey's Last Case MovieGerald Whinfrey9.5
1979Friday Night, Saturday Morning TVUnknown character7.5
1979Life of Brian MovieWise Man #3 / Mr. Big Nose / Francis / Mrs. A / Ex-Leper / Announcer / Ben / Pontius Pilate / Boring Prophet / Eddie / Shoe Follower / Nisus Wettus7.8
1979The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 MovieSelf7.3
1978The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash MovieEric Manchester6.8
1978Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” MovieCommentator / Self
1977The Curse of the Claw MovieKevin Orr / Uncle Jack
1977Across the Andes by Frog MovieCaptain Walter Snetterton
1977Murder at Moorstones Manor MovieCharles Chiddingford8.5
1977Escape from Stalag Luft 112B MovieMajor Errol Phipps9.5
1977The Testing of Eric Olthwaite MovieEric Olthwaite / Bank Manager8.5
1977The Broken Bottle MovieUnknown character
1977Jabberwocky MovieDennis Cooper6.0
1976Pleasure at Her Majesty's MovieSelf7.0
1976The Secret Policeman's Ball TVSelf5.0
1976Ripping Yarns TVRoger7.7
1976Ripping Yarns TVKevin Orr / Uncle Jack7.7
1976Ripping Yarns TVGerald Whinfrey7.7
1976Ripping Yarns TVUnknown character7.7
1976Tomkinson's Schooldays MovieTomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt9.0
1975Three Men in a Boat MovieHarris6.2
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf - Host6.9
1975Saturday Night Live TVDick Savage (uncredited)6.9
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf / Various (uncredited)6.9
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf - Special Guest6.9
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf - Co-Host6.9
1975Monty Python and the Holy Grail MovieFirst 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!7.8
1975Les Rendez-vous du dimanche TVSelf6.0
1974Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report MovieSelf8.0
1974Henry Cleans Up MovieHenry
1973Is This a Record? MovieVarious6.0
1973Monty Python In The Netherlands MoviePie Face 36.0
1972Full House TVVarious
1972Pebble Mill at One TVUnknown character
1972The Philosophers' Football Match MovieNietzsche10.0
1972Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus TVVarious Characters7.6
1971The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 MovieUnknown character
1971Film '72 TVSelf5.1
1971And Now for Something Completely Different MovieGumby / 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 Lady7.2
1971Euroshow '71: May Day Special MovieVarious (as Montypython Flyingcircus)10.0
1970Monty Python: Who's There? MovieKen6.0
1970Ending It All MovieUnknown character
1969Monty Python's Flying Circus TVVarious / "It's" man8.3
1969How to Irritate People MovieVarious6.6
1969The Complete and Utter History of Britain TVUnknown character7.6
1968Frost on Sunday TVSelf / Various Characters8.0
1967Do Not Adjust Your Set TVVarious Characters7.8
1967Twice a Fortnight TVUnknown character7.0
1967A Series of Bird's TVUnknown character9.0
1966Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World MovieJazz Band Undertaker (uncredited)5.4
TBAJust Dandy MovieSelf
TBAClose-Up Toothpaste Relaunch Moviesalesman
TBAThe Mystery of the Missing Morsel of Murder at Moorstones Manor MovieCharles Chiddingfold

Crew (59)

YearTitleRoleRating
2024Time Bandits TVCharacters · Writing6.2
2020Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin in Conversation MovieThanks · Crew5.7
2014Monty Python Live (Mostly) MovieWriter · Writing7.2
2013Michael Palin In Wyeth's World MovieWriter · Writing7.8
2012Brazil with Michael Palin TVWriter · Writing7.5
Show 54 more credits
YearTitleRoleRating
2012Python Legs! MovieWriter · Writing
2008Around the World in 20 Years MovieWriter · Writing8.7
2008Life Of Brian Screenplay MovieScreenplay · Writing
2007Michael Palin's New Europe TVWriter · Writing7.6
2006Monty Python's Flying Circus - Michael Palin's Personal Best MovieWriter · Writing
2006Monty Python's Personal Best TVCreator · Creator5.7
2004Himalaya with Michael Palin TVWriter · Writing8.2
2002Sahara with Michael Palin TVWriter · Writing7.6
1997Palin on Redpath MovieWriter · Writing
1997Full Circle with Michael Palin TVWriter · Writing7.7
1992Pole to Pole TVWriter · Writing7.9
1991American Friends MovieWriter · Writing6.3
1989Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python MovieWriter · Writing7.2
1989Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days TVWriter · Writing7.5
1988Number 27 MovieWriter · Writing9.0
1988Consuming Passions MovieTheatre Play · Writing8.3
1987East of Ipswich MovieWriter · Writing7.1
1985Screen Two TVWriter · Writing7.1
1983Comic Roots: Michael Palin MovieWriter · Writing8.0
1983Monty Python's The Meaning of Life MovieScreenplay · Writing7.3
1982The Missionary MovieWriter · Writing5.6
1982The Missionary MovieProducer · Production5.6
1982Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl MovieWriter · Writing7.4
1981Time Bandits MovieWriter · Writing6.6
1981The Box MovieScreenplay · Writing5.0
1980Great Railway Journeys TVWriter · Writing7.0
1979Roger of the Raj MovieWriter · Writing8.0
1979Golden Gordon MovieWriter · Writing8.0
1979Whinfrey's Last Case MovieWriter · Writing9.5
1979Life of Brian MovieScreenplay · Writing7.8
1978Michael Palin’s Super 8mm - “Life of Brian” MovieDirector · Directing
1977The Curse of the Claw MovieWriter · Writing
1977Across the Andes by Frog MovieWriter · Writing
1977Murder at Moorstones Manor MovieWriter · Writing8.5
1977Escape from Stalag Luft 112B MovieWriter · Writing9.5
1977The Testing of Eric Olthwaite MovieWriter · Writing8.5
1976Ripping Yarns TVWriter · Writing7.7
1976Ripping Yarns TVCreator · Creator7.7
1976Tomkinson's Schooldays MovieWriter · Writing9.0
1975Monty Python and the Holy Grail MovieWriter · Writing7.8
1974Henry Cleans Up MovieWriter · Writing
1973Black and Blue TVWriter · Writing6.5
1973Secrets MovieWriter · Writing6.4
1973Is This a Record? MovieAdditional Writing · Crew6.0
1971The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 MovieWriter · Writing
1971And Now for Something Completely Different MovieScreenplay · Writing7.2
1971The Two Ronnies TVWriter · Writing7.8
1969Monty Python's Flying Circus TVWriter · Writing8.3
1969The Complete and Utter History of Britain TVCreator · Creator7.6
1969The Complete and Utter History of Britain TVWriter · Writing7.6
1967Do Not Adjust Your Set TVWriter · Writing7.8
1967A Series of Bird's TVAdditional Writing · Crew9.0
TBAMonty Python: Live at Aspen TVCreator · Creator6.0
TBAEric Idle Exploits Monty Python MovieWriter · Writing

Latest releases

Michael Palin in the news

Questions about Michael Palin

What are Michael Palin's career highlights?

Michael Palin's career highlights include his role in Monty Python, numerous travel documentaries, and acclaimed films like 'A Fish Called Wanda.'

Has Michael Palin won any awards?

Yes, Michael Palin has won several awards, including BAFTAs for his work in television and documentaries, recognizing his contributions to the industry.

What was Michael Palin's first film?

Michael Palin's first film was 'The Magic Christian' in 1969, where he starred alongside Peter Sellers, marking the beginning of his film career.

What are Michael Palin's most successful films?

Some of Michael Palin's most successful films include 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' 'A Fish Called Wanda,' and 'The Life of Brian.'

What is known about Michael Palin's personal life?

Michael Palin has been married to Helen G. Palin since 1966, and they have three children together, maintaining a relatively private personal life.

What is Michael Palin's estimated net worth?

Michael Palin's estimated net worth is around $15 million, accumulated through his extensive career in acting, writing, and television.

What are some milestones in Michael Palin's filmography?

Milestones in Michael Palin's filmography include his work with Monty Python, his travel series, and starring roles in notable films like 'The Missionary' and 'Brazil.'

What is Michael Palin's contribution to travel documentaries?

Michael Palin is renowned for his travel documentaries, such as 'Around the World in 80 Days' and 'Pole to Pole,' which showcase his engaging storytelling and exploration.