ACTOR
Eric Idle
Known for The Simpsons · Shrek the Third · Frasier
Eric Idle (born March 29, 1943) is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer who wrote and performed as a member of the popular British comedy group Monty Python.
Snapshot 2026-10-13
- Born
- Mar 29, 1943
- Birthplace
- South Shields, County Durham, England, UK
- Known For
- Acting
Biography
Eric Idle (born March 29, 1943) is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer who wrote and performed as a member of the popular British comedy group Monty Python.
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Known For
TV
The SimpsonsDeclan Desmond (voice) · 1989
★ 8.0
★ 8.0
MOVIE
Shrek the ThirdMerlin (voice) · 2007
★ 6.3
★ 6.3
TV
FrasierChuck (voice) · 1993
★ 7.7
★ 7.7
TV
Monty Python's Flying CircusVarious · 1969
★ 8.3
★ 8.3
TV
The Daily ShowSelf - Guest · 1996
★ 6.4
★ 6.4
MOVIE
The Transformers: The MovieWreck-Gar (voice) · 1986
★ 7.2
★ 7.2
TV
Saturday Night LiveSelf - Host · 1975
★ 6.9
★ 6.9
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf · 2014
★ 5.8
★ 5.8
Filmography
Movies
Alice in WonderlandYoung Man (uncredited)
1966
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the WorldJazz Band Chauffeur (uncredited)
1966
And Now for Something Completely DifferentProsecutor / Marriage Counselor / Arthur Nudge / Self-defence student #4 (interested in pointed sticks) / 'Hell's Grannies' analyst / Arthur Wilson / Arthur Wilson Two / Nightclub Emcee / Linkman / First General / Restaurant Manager / Lingerie Shop Owner / Accountant #1 (falling past the window) / Fairy Godmother / Rita Fairbanks / Simon Zinc Trumpet Harris / Mountie / Lady With Cookbook
1971And Now for Something Completely DifferentScreenplay
1971
Euroshow '71: May Day SpecialVarious (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971
1971The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971Writer
1971
The Philosophers' Football MatchSokrates
1972
Monty Python In The NetherlandsPie Face 1
1973
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location ReportSelf
1974
Monty Python and the Holy GrailDead Collector / Peasant 1 / Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Launcelot / First Swamp Castle Guard / Concorde / Roger the Shrubber / Brother Maynard
1975Monty Python and the Holy GrailWriter
1975
The Rutles: All You Need Is CashDirk McQuickly/The Narrator/S.J. Krammerhead
1978The Rutles: All You Need Is CashDirector
1978The Rutles: All You Need Is CashWriter
1978
Yellow Submarine SandwichDirk McQuickly (dialogue voice)
1978
Life of BrianMr. Cheeky / Stan 'Loretta' / Harry the Haggler / Culprit Woman / Warris / Intensely Dull Youth / Jailer's Assistant / Otto / Lead Singer Crucifee
1979Life of BrianScreenplay
1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979Self
1979
Steve Martin's Best Show EverReporter
1981Steve Martin's Best Show EverDirector
1981
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood BowlVarious Roles
1982Monty Python Live at the Hollywood BowlWriter
1982
The Tale of the Frog PrinceNarrator
1982The Tale of the Frog PrinceDirector
1982The Tale of the Frog PrinceWriter
1982
Group MadnessSelf
1983
Monty Python's The Meaning of LifeVarious Roles
1983Monty Python's The Meaning of LifeScreenplay
1983
The Crimson Permanent AssuranceGunther (uncredited)
1983
YellowbeardCommander Clement
1983
National Lampoon's European VacationThe Bike Rider
1985
The Pied Piper of HamelinThe Pied Piper / Robert Browning
1985
The Transformers: The MovieWreck-Gar (voice)
1986
The English National Opera Rehearse The MikadoSelf
1987
The MikadoKo-Ko
1987
The Adventures of Baron MunchausenDesmond / Berthold
1988
How to Get Ahead in AdvertisingMale Love Bird (voice) (uncredited)
1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty PythonSelf / Various Characters
1989Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty PythonWriter
1989
The Movie Life of GeorgeSelf
1989
Life of PythonSelf / Various Roles
1990
Nuns on the RunBrian Hope
1990
One Foot in the Grave: The Man In The Long Black CoatMervyn Whale
1991
Too Much SunSonny
1991
Missing PiecesWendel
1992
Mom and Dad Save the WorldKing Raff
1992
Splitting HeirsTommy Butterfly Rainbow Peace Patel
1993Splitting HeirsExecutive Producer
1993Splitting HeirsWriter
1993
CasperDibs
1995
Bobcat Goldthwait Comedy Central "Pulp Comics"Man in Bed
1996
The Wind in the WillowsRat
1996
Pirates 4-DPierre
1997Pirates 4-DScreenplay
1997
State of Fear
1997
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, BurnAlan Smithee
1998
Monty Python: Live at AspenSelf
1998
Quest for CamelotDevon (voice)
1998
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The MovieSlyly (voice)
1998
30 Years of Monty Python, a RevelationSelf
1999
Dudley Do-RightProspector
1999
Hercules: Zero to HeroParenthesis (voice) (archive sound)
1999
Monty Python: 30th Anniversary SketchesSelf
1999Monty Python: From Spam to SpermSelf
1999
South Park: Bigger, Longer & UncutDr. Vosknocker (voice)
1999The Monty Python StorySelf
1999
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the RescueEvil Martin (voice)
1999
102 DalmatiansWaddlesworth (voice)
2000ID
I Don't Believe It!: The One Foot in the Grave StorySelf
2000TB
The Beatles RevolutionSelf
2000
The Life of PythonSelf
2000
BrightnessMr. Bix
2001
Unplug the Minister in the SocketOriginal Story
2001
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the UniverseSelf
2002
The Scream TeamCoffin Ed
2002
Can't Buy Me Lunch: Another Look at The RutlesMelvin / Dirk McQuickly / Lady Beth Mouse-Peddler
2003Can't Buy Me Lunch: Another Look at The RutlesDirector
2003Can't Buy Me Lunch: Another Look at The RutlesWriter
2003Can't Buy Me Lunch: Another Look at The RutlesProducer
2003
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island AdventureEnglish Victim
2003
David Bowie - Sound and VisionSelf
2003
Hollywood HomicideCelebrity
2003
The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'Self
2003
Ella EnchantedNarrator
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1Self (archive footage)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2Self (archive footage)
2004
The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3Self (archive footage)
2004
The Nutcracker and the MousekingDrosselmeier (voice)
2004
Earth to AmericaSelf
2005
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night LiveSelf
2005
The AristocratsSelf
2005
The Roots of Monty PythonSelf (archive footage)
2005
Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal BestVarious Roles (archive footage)
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal BestVarious Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal BestVarious Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal BestVarious Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal BestVarious Characters
2006
Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal BestVarious Characters
2006
Hitler: The Comedy YearsMr. Johnson (archive footage) (uncredited)
2007
Shrek the ThirdMerlin (voice)
2007
The Secret Life of BrianSelf
2007
What the Pythons Did Next...Self (archive footage)
2007
DelgoSpig (voice)
2008LO
Life Of Brian ScreenplayMr. Cheeky, Stan aka Loretta, Harry the Haggler
2008LO
Life Of Brian ScreenplayScreenplay
2008
Monty Python Conquers AmericaSelf
2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying CircusSelf
2008
The Madness and Misadventures of MunchausenSelf - 'Berthold'
2008
The Seventh PythonSelf
2008
We Are Most AmusedSelf
2008
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical ReleaseSelf
2010
Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)Baritonish / Stan / Loretta / Bob Dylan / Ben
2010Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)Writer
2010
Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall
2010
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British MusicSelf
2012
Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne & ELOSelf
2012
The Secret Policeman's BallSelf
2012
What About Dick?The Piano
2012What About Dick?Director
2012What About Dick?Writer
2012What About Dick?Musical
2012
The Meaning of Monty PythonSelf
2013
50 Years of BBC Two ComedySelf
2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly)Self, others
2014Monty Python Live (Mostly)Director
2014Monty Python Live (Mostly)Writer
2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather SimilarSelf
2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of LiveSelf
2014
The BoxtrollsSongs
2014TC
The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden TreasureSelf
2014
The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the BeatlesSelf / Nigel Spasm
2014
Absolutely AnythingSalubrious Gat (voice)
2015
Put the Minister in the SocketOriginal Story
2015
The Entire UniverseSelf - Presenter
2016The Entire UniverseWriter
2016
Terry Pratchett: Back in BlackSelf
2017
The Rolling Stones: From the Vault - Sticky Fingers Live at the Fonda Theatre 2015Self - Audience Member
2017
Robin Williams: Come Inside My MindSelf
2018
The Admiral: Pub, Drums and FoodDirk McQuickley (archive footage)
2018
An Accidental StudioSelf (archive footage)
2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy GrailsSelf (archive footage)
2019
A Virtual Princess Bride ReunionThe Impressive Clergyman
2020
Monty Python's Best Bits CelebratedSelf (archive footage)(uncredited)
2021
Who Is Martin Mull?Self
2026
Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch
Television
Tony AwardsSelf - Nominee · 1 eps
1956
At Last the 1948 Show13 eps
1967
Do Not Adjust Your SetVarious Characters · 29 eps
1967Do Not Adjust Your SetWriter
1967
Titel, Thesen, TemperamenteSelf · 1 eps
1967WH
We Have Ways Of Making You LaughVarious · 12 eps
1968
Monty Python's Flying CircusVarious · 45 eps
1969Monty Python's Flying CircusWriter
1969
The Two RonniesWriter
1971
Monty Python's Fliegender ZirkusVarious Characters · 2 eps
1972
Les Rendez-vous du dimancheSelf · 1 eps
1975
Rutland Weekend TelevisionVarious Characters · 14 eps
1975Rutland Weekend TelevisionWriter
1975Rutland Weekend TelevisionCreator
1975
Saturday Night LiveSelf - Host · 4 eps
1975Saturday Night LiveSelf - Cameo (uncredited) · 1 eps
1975Saturday Night LiveSelf (uncredited) · 1 eps
1975Saturday Night LiveTerry Halsey (uncredited) · 1 eps
1975Saturday Night LiveDirector
1975
Laverne & ShirleyDerek DeWoods · 1 eps
1976
Faerie Tale TheatreNarrator (voice) · 1 eps
1982Faerie Tale TheatreThe Pied Piper / Robert Browning · 1 eps
1982Faerie Tale TheatreDirector
1982Faerie Tale TheatreTeleplay
1982
Late Night with David LettermanSelf - Guest · 1 eps
1982
Going Live!Self · 2 eps
1987
Around the World in 80 DaysJean Passepartout · 3 eps
1989
Nearly DepartedGrant Pritchard · 6 eps
1989
The SimpsonsDeclan Desmond (voice) · 4 eps
1989PM
Pebble MillSelf · 1 eps
1991
FrasierChuck (voice) · 1 eps
1993
Late Night with Conan O'BrienSelf - Guest · 3 eps
1993
Late Show with David LettermanSelf - Guest · 1 eps
1993
MADtvZookeeper · 1 eps
1995
Pinky and the BrainMom & Dad (voice) · 1 eps
1995CA
Clive Anderson All TalkSelf · 1 eps
1996
Suddenly SusanIan Maxtone-Graham · 21 eps
1996
The Daily ShowSelf - Guest · 4 eps
1996
HerculesParenthesis (voice) · 7 eps
1998
Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandGuzelian (voice) · 1 eps
2000
Disney's House of MousePluto Angel (voice) · 2 eps
2001
Real Time with Bill MaherSelf · 3 eps
2003
The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSelf · 1 eps
2003
ParkinsonSelf - Guest · 1 eps
2004
The SoupSelf · 1 eps
2004TT
The Tony Danza ShowSelf · 1 eps
2004
The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonSelf · 3 eps
2005
Monty Python's Personal BestSelf / Various Characters · 6 eps
2006Monty Python's Personal BestCreator
2006
The One ShowSelf · 1 eps
2006
Movie ConnectionsSelf · 1 eps
2007
The Graham Norton ShowSelf · 2 eps
2007
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)Self · 6 eps
2009
ConanSelf - Guest · 1 eps
2010
George Harrison: Living in the Material WorldSelf · 2 eps
2011
Inside ComedySelf · 1 eps
2012
London 2012 Olympic GamesSelf · 1 eps
2012
Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf - Guest · 2 eps
2014
Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)Self (archive footage) · 5 eps
2014
Off Camera with Sam JonesSelf · 1 eps
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf · 1 eps
2014
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertSelf - Guest · 1 eps
2015
GQ Presents: Iconic CharactersSelf · 1 eps
2018
The Masked SingerHedgehog · 1 eps
2019The Masked SingerHedgehog (archive footage) · 1 eps
2019
STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 piecesSelf - Writer & Actor · 1 eps
2024
Monty Python: Live at AspenCreator
N–
No – That's Me Over Here!Creator
Photos
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