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Eric Idle

Eric "Eric" Idle Biography

by John Cleese

Whether he�s sitting by his caravan, rehearsing in front of camera, or just getting himself another cup of tea, you can bet everyone on set is keeping one eye on ERIC "ERIC" IDLE. "You never know what he's going to do next," explains �Life of Brian� colleague John Cleese, "one moment he�s reading a newspaper, the next he�ll be swatting flies with it." Well, there�s a joker in every pack, and the Python pack, as Kevin Bacall once referred to them, is no exception. The story goes that during the first week in Tunisia Idle was sitting in an Arab restaurant one evening, minding his own business, when a waiter spilled some soup on him. "Before any of us could react," recalls Producer John Goldstone, "he just picked up the soup, called the Manager over, and complained." One of the Pythons recalls the time when Idle finished a scene and promptly took a nap. "When he feels like doing something he just goes ahead and does it," laughs Terry Vance Gilliam shaking his head ruefully.

Word has it that when he�s based in London "Eric" Idle likes nothing more than to leave his house early some mornings, buy a newspaper, and read it over breakfast. "He likes to keep people on their toes," explains Director Terry Jones III, "or maybe it�s just his way of cocking a snook at the whole crazy world."

Michael "Chunky" Palin, no slouch at clowning himself, remembers the day at Gabez when "Eric", as they all call him, had two glasses of milk at lunch.

Why? "Nobody�s quite worked him out," admits former doctor, ex-medic, previous-physician Graham "Ex-doc" Chapman, "but I think he just needs to kick over the traces now and again." Adds Director Jones III, "Once, after filming, he went off for a walk. The trouble is that if anyone else did something 1ike that, people wouldn�t think it odd. But "Eric" has got himself a bit of a reputation for oddball behaviour and so people are sort of looking for it."

And "Eric"? "It�s just a name my mother gave me," explains "Eric", "and it just somehow stuck."

Taken from PythOnline.

Daughter, with Kosevich, Lily (b.1990)

Son, with Ashley, Carey (b.1973)

Member of the comedy group "Monty Python"

Studied English at Cambridge University. While at university, he was a member of the prestigious Cambridge Footlights Club, and later, President of the Footlights Club.

Other works
(comedy play) "Pass the Butler".

Wrote and composed songs for the children's book "The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat."

TV Commercial for Drug Awarness Ads (1998)

1. Quest for Camelot (1998) (voice) .... Devon ... aka Magic Sword: Quest For Camelot, The (1998)
2. Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn, An (1997) .... Alan Smithee ... aka Alan Smithee Film, An (1997) (USA) ... aka Burn Hollywood Burn (1997) (USA)
3. Wind in the Willows, The (1996) .... Rat ... aka Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (1997) (USA)
4. Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail (1996) (VG)
5. Casper (1995) .... Dibs
6. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (1995) .... Dr. Niles Channing
7. Splitting Heirs (1993) .... Tommy Patel
8. Mom and Dad Save the World (1992) .... King Raff
9. Too Much Sun (1991) .... Sonny
10. Missing Pieces (1991) .... Wendel
11. Nuns on the Run (1990) .... Brian Hope
12. "Nearly Departed" (1989) TV Series .... Grant Pritchard
13. Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The (1989) .... Desmond/Berthold ... aka Abenteuer des Baron von M�nchhausen, Die (1989) (West Germany)
14. "Around the World in 80 Days" (1989/I) (mini) TV Series .... Passepartout
15. Transformers: The Movie, The (1986) (voice) .... Wreck-Gar ... aka Transformers, The (1986)
16. European Vacation (1985) .... Bike rider ... aka National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
17. Secret Policeman's Private Parts, The (1984)
18. Yellowbeard (1983) .... Commander Clement
19. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) .... Various
20. Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) .... Various roles
21. Life of Brian (1979) .... Stan/Harry the Haggler/Mr. Cheeky/Jailer's Assistant/Mr. Frisbee IIIrd ... aka Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
22. All You Need Is Cash (1978) (TV) .... Dirk McQuickley/Narrator/S.J. Kramme rhead ... aka Rutles, The (1978) (TV)
23. "Rutland Weekend Television" (1975) TV Series .... Various
24. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) .... Sir Robin, + minor roles
25. And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) .... Various roles
26. "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV Series .... Various roles ... aka "Monty Python" (1969)
27. "Do Not Adjust Your Set" (1967) TV Series .... Various

1. Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail (1996) (VG) (screenplay Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
2. Splitting Heirs (1993)
3. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
4. Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
5. Life of Brian (1979) ... aka Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
6. All You Need Is Cash (1978) (TV) ... aka Rutles, The (1978) (TV)
7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)
8. And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)

1. "One Foot in the Grave" (1990) TV Series (theme song)
2. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) (songs)
3. "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV Series ... aka "Monty Python" (1969)

1. Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail (1996) (VG) (executive)
2. Splitting Heirs (1993) (executive)

1. "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV Series (series creator) ... aka "Monty Python" (1969)

1. All You Need Is Cash (1978) (TV) ... aka Rutles, The (1978) (TV)

1. "Politically Incorrect" (1994) playing "Himself" 3/5/1998
2. "Frasier" (1993) playing "Chuck"(voice) in episode: "High Crane Drifter" (episode # 3.17) 3/12/1996
3. "Saturday Night Live" (1975) playing "Himself"(episode # 5.2) 10/20/1979
4. "Ripping Yarns" (1977) (uncredited) in episode: "Whinfrey's Last Case" 1979
5. "Saturday Night Live" (1975) playing "Host"(episode # 4.8) 12/9/1978
6. "Saturday Night Live" (1975) playing "Host"(episode # 2.21) 4/23/1977
7. "Saturday Night Live" (1975) playing "Host"(episode # 2.3) 10/2/1976
8. "Pinky and the Brain" (1995) playing "Pinky's Mom and Dad"(voice)
9. "At Last the 1948 Show" (1967) playing "Various"