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Graham Chapman

Graham Chapman Biography

by John Cleese

Doctor turned leading actor? Yes this is the rags to riches story of GRAHAM CHAPMAN, the boyish ex-medic who forsook forceps for fun and found there was more gold in them thar' Hollywood Hills than there ever was in them thar' pills. A policeman's son, the whacky Chapman majored in medicine before the lure of the dollar prised him from Britain's penniless and collapsing National Health Service. But his expert and expensive medical training was not wasted: it formed the basis for a zany,madcap, off-the-wall TV series featuring a team of whacky girlchasing interns struggling with the appalling problems of treating the desperately ill in an impoverished, crumbling, under-equipped Limey hospital. Next, Britain's funniest ex-doctor won international acclaim for his portrayal of King Arthur in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. Says tall, blond pipe-smcking former medic Chapman 'That was my big break. From now on it was all 'go' to the very top. But I had to chose my next role carefully'. So carefully that he waited four years. 'Then I saw the script for 'Life of Brian' and Wow" confides lean pharmacologically trained Graham. After a series of exhausting screen tests, one-time-leech Chapman won the role despite fierce competition from Charles Laughton, Leslie Howard and Tyrone Power. 'If this one takes off,' admits quick-witted quandam quack Chapman, 'It could make me rich beyond my wildest dreams. And believe me, my dreams are pretty wild!'. Former fysician Graham may well soon be able to hang up his little black bag and concentrate on his Croesus portrayal, if the word-of-mouth on Python's new block buster is anything to go by.

Taken from PythOnline.

Date of death (details)
4 October 1989, England. (throat cancer)

Trivia

Member of the comedy group "Monty Python"

Studied Medicine at Cambridge University.

Co-wrote several episodes of "Doctor in the House" (1969) and its sequels with John Cleese

While at Cambridge University, was a member of the prestigious Cambridge University Footlights Club. He went to the USA with the Cambridge University Footlights Club revue in 1964 - appearing on stage in Broadway, and on the "Ed Sullivan Show".

Longtime companion of David Sherlock

Born at 8:30am-BST

1. Still Crazy Like a Fox (1987) (TV)
2. Secret Policeman's Private Parts, The (1984)
3. Yellowbeard (1983) .... Captain Yellowbeard
4. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) .... Various
5. Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) .... Various roles
6. Secret Policeman's Other Ball, The (1982) .... Himself/Various Roles
7. "Big Show, The" (1980) TV Series .... Regular Performer
8. Life of Brian (1979) .... Brian, First Wise Man, Biggus Dickus ... aka Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
9. Odd Job, The (1978) .... Arthur Harris
10. Monty Python Meets Beyond the Fringe (1977) ... aka Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1977)
11. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) .... King Arthur, + minor roles
12. And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) .... Various roles
13. Statue, The (1971) .... News reader
14. Doctor in Trouble (1970) .... Roddy
15. "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV Series .... Various roles ... aka "Monty Python" (1969)
16. Magic Christian, The (1969) (uncredited) .... Oxford Crew
17. How to Irritate People (1968) (TV) .... Various ... aka John Cleese on How to Irritate People (1968) (TV)
18. "At Last the 1948 Show" (1967) TV Series .... Writer-performer

1. Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail (1996) (VG) (screenplay Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
2. Yellowbeard (1983)
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. Odd Job, The (1978)
7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)
8. Rentadick (1972) (uncredited)
9. And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
10. Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins, The (1971)
11. Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer, The (1970)
12. It's Marty (1969) (TV)
13. Magic Christian, The (1969)
14. How to Irritate People (1968) (TV) ... aka John Cleese on How to Irritate People (1968) (TV)

1. Love Potion (1987) (executive) ... aka Shock Treatment (1987)
2. Odd Job, The (1978)

1. "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV Series (series creator) ... aka "Monty Python" (1969)
2. "At Last the 1948 Show" (1967) TV Series (series creator)

1. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) (songs)
2. "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) TV Series ... aka "Monty Python" (1969)

1. "Broaden Your Mind" (1968)