People
John Cleese Biography, Husband or Wife, Height, Age, Net worth and Achievements
John Cleese is a multifaceted English artist. He is a screenwriter, actor, voice actor, comedian and producer. Over the years, he has contributed immensely to the entertainment industry and has thus become one of Britain’s most valuable entertainers. He is best known as one of the co-founders of Monty Python, a surreal British comedy troupe that produced a handful of films as well as a series of comedy sketches. Cleese has written, produced and starred in numerous shows and films, including the hit BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers. Here, we are going to bring you highlights of his illustrious career as well as facts about his personal life.
John Cleese Biography, Age
John Marwood Cleese was born on the 27th day of October 1939 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. He was the only child of his parents, Reginald Francis Cleese (1893–1972) and homemaker, Muriel Evelyn (née Cross; 1899–2000). His father worked as an insurance salesman and earned a modest living. However, Cleese was able to attend good private schools thanks to the bequest of his mother, his own father, who worked as an auctioneer.
In primary school, Cleese excelled in studies and sports (cricket). He gained exposure to go to Clifton College, after which he went to Cambridge University to study law. Around this time, he had begun to like comedy radio shows like ‘The Goon Show’. In a bid to express his comedic side, he joined the Footlights Dramatic Club in Cambridge. notably Cambridge Circus. Cleese graduated from Cambridge with a 2:1 in 1963.
After college he wrote for the BBC and joined Cambridge Circus briefly. He remained in America for some time after leaving Cambridge Circus. John Cleese then returned to England where he appeared on numerous radio and television shows. Cleese got his big break as a writer and actor for The Freeze Report. He befriended some of his co-writers on the show who would join him in forming the Monty Python comedy troupe.
Troupe members, including Cleese, quickly became sensational with their hit skit, Flying Circus. The show remains influential to this day. Cleese left the series after three seasons but will continue to collaborate with cast members. His next big hit would be Fawlty Towers (1975 – 1979) which he co-wrote with his then wife, Connie Booth. The show has won three BAFTA Awards.
The talented comedian has proven resilient over the years. He starred in many works and continues to be relevant to this day. Some of his other notable works include A Fish Called Wanda, Fierce Creatures, and Clockwise. Cleese starred in two James Bond films, portraying first R and later Q, as well as 2 Harry Potter films. He voiced many animated characters. He voiced King Harold in the last 3 Shrek movies. In recent years, Cleese has focused more on vocal gigs.
Achievements
John Cleese has been duly rewarded for his contributions to the entertainment industry. Here’s a look at some of his accomplishments.
• 1980 BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance – Fawlty Towers
• British Film Awards Evening 1986 Peter Sellers Award for Comedy Clockwise
• 1987 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – Cheers
• 1988 BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – A Fish Called Wanda
• Rose d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016
• Asteroid 9618 Johncleese, named in his honor
Net value
The Rose d’Or winner has been enormously successful in her career. Along with writing, acting, and producing movies and TV shows, John has earned a fortune through advertising. During his career, he appeared in over 50 commercials. His net worth has been estimated at $10 million. Cleese would be far richer were it not for his 2008 divorce from his third wife, which cost him £12million in finances and assets, plus an annual payout of £600,000 over 7 years, ending in 2015 .
wife, wife
John Cleese is known for his many marriages. He married for the fourth time in 2012 to English jewelry designer and former model Jennifer Wade. Their wedding took place in August on the Caribbean island of Mustique. In an interview with The Lady, Cleese said he’s been married three times before, but never had the same kind of relationship he did with Wade, who is 32 years younger than him.
Cleese was first married to an American writer and actress, Connie Booth, in 1968. Three years later, in 1971, they welcomed their first child together, daughter Cynthia, who was their only child following their divorce in 1978.
Three years after his first divorce, John Cleese had a daughter, Camilla (born in 1984) and divorced in 1990. Cleese would go on to marry his third wife, American psychotherapist Alyce Faye Eichelberger, in 1992. Their marriage ended in 2008 by a nasty divorce. which cost Cleese tens of millions of pounds in the divorce settlement.
the size
Along with his signature mustache, JohnCleese is also noted for his tall stature. By the age of 12, Cleese had already reached 6 feet tall and was often teased at school. He now stands at a height of 6 feet 5 inches. The comedian often exploits his tall and intimidating stature to play roles.