John Cleese

John Cleese has had a varied career since leaving the Pythons. First up, of course was the television series Fawlty Towers (see Cleese, the writer/actor), which, with only 13 episodes over two series (in 1975 & 1979) has grown in stature every decade...and is still considered by many to be the apex of British TV sitcom.

Simultaneously, Cleese was establishing his corporate training films company, Video Arts (with Yes Minister creator, Anthony Jay), using some of his famous comedy peers to write and star in short films for that market. The company performed spectacularly and Cleese eventually sold it in the late 1980s for, I believe, around $70 million.

Soon after completing The Life Of Brian with Monty Python, Cleese wrote (with Connie Cooth, his then wife) and starred in his own movie, The Strange Case Of The End of Civilization As We Know It* (1978), a muddling affair in which he plays a modern Sherlock Holmes character. He and Booth soon divorced though the pair still managed to write and star in the second Fawlty Towers series together.

As of 2007, Cleese had married three American blondes (and divorced two of them) and his turbulent personal life obviously led to a certain amount of introspection, which Cleese turned into two well-received books with psychologist Robyn Skinner (see Cleese, the thinker).

After 1980, Cleese took numerous small roles in movies and byult up his profile as an actor, to the point where he had the courage in 1988 to star as a romantic lead in his own movie, A Fish Called Wanda, (see Cleese, the writer/actor), starring as one Archie Leech (Cary Grant's real name).

John Cleese intro to A Fish Called Wanda

Wanda was extraordinarily successful around the world but it was to be almost ten years before he attempted a follow-up, the much less successful Fierce Creatures.

Inbetween he starred as the male lead in Clockwise though recently he only seems to have taken high profile cameos, which keep him in the world's eye as an eccentric Englishman e.g.:

Shrek 1, 2 & 3
Harry Potter
2 James Bond movies etc.

Very much a senior statesman, Cleese has dedicated much of his life to making complex issues appear simple. His latest works include a 4-part series made with the BBC, The Human Face 2001 (see Cleese, the thinker) & a wine appreciation for beginners guide, Wine For The Confused, 2004

John Cleese: Wine For The Confused

"...The show is witty without being over the top in any way, very informative while being laid back and charming. If you have any interest in wine, this is a GREAT place to start..." Amazon reviewer B Jaden

Now in the Autumn of his career, Cleese seems content to be an elder statesman of British comedy, doing what he wants, when he wants...and I say, "Fair enough!"