Idle, Eric 1943- (Monty Python, a joint pseudonym)

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Idle, Eric 1943- (Monty Python, a joint pseudonym)

PERSONAL

Born March 29, 1943, in South Shields, Durham, England; son of Ernest (an air force sergeant) and Norah (a health visitor; maiden name, Sanderson) Idle; married Lyn Ashley (an actress), July 7, 1969 (divorced c. 1975; some sources cite 1978); married Tania Kosevich (a model and actress), 1981; children: (first marriage) Carey; (second marriage) Lily. Education: Pembroke College, Cambridge, English literature degree (with honors), 1965.

Addresses:

Agent—William Morris Agency, Inc., One William Morris Place, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, 4111 West Alameda Ave., Suite 509, Burbank, CA 91505. Publicist—I/D Public Relations, 8409 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069.

Career:

Actor, director, producer, production designer, writer, composer, and editor. Member of Monty Python, a comedy troupe also consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, beginning c. 1969, affiliated with Python (Monty) Pictures, Limited; Prominent Features (production company), cofounder and president. Appeared in commercials and public service announcements. Some sources state that Idle has been billed as Eric Spam Eggs and Chips Idle, Eric Whicker Whicker Idle, Eric C. Idleberg, Rice Lied, Monty Python, and the Usual Lot.

Member:

Cambridge Footlights (comedy troupe at Cambridge; performer, also president, 1964-65).

Awards, Honors:

Silver Rose, Montreux Television Festival, 1971, for Monty Python's Flying Circus; Annual Cable Excellence (CableACE) Award, best cable show of the year, National Cable Television Association, 1982, for "The Tale of the Frog Prince," Faerie Tale Theatre; Grand Prize of the Jury and nomination for the Golden Palm, both Cannes International Film Festival, 1983, for Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life"; Film Award nomination (with others), best original song, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, 1984, for "Every Sperm Is Sacred," from Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life"; Michael Balcon Award (with Monty Python), outstanding British contribution to cinema, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, 1987; Video Premiere Award nomination (with others), best audio commentary, DVD Exclusive awards, 2001, for Monty Python and the Holy Grail; Antoinette Perry Award, best musical, Drama Desk Award, outstanding musical, Outer Critics Circle Award, outstanding Broadway musical, Drama Desk Award, outstanding lyrics, Antoinette Perry Award nominations (with others), best original score written for the theatre and best book of a musical, and Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding book of a musical, all 2005, all for Monty Python's "Spamalot"; named a top comedian in the poll and television special The Comedians' Comedian, Channel 4 (England), 2005.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

We Have Ways of Making You Laugh, London Weekend Television, 1968.

Various characters, Do Not Adjust Your Set, Rediffusion, 1967-68, Thames Television, 1968-69.

Various characters, Monty Python's Flying Circus (also known as Bun, Whackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot, Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus, A Horse, a Bucket and a Spoon, It's …, Monty Python, Owl-Stretching Time, Sex and Violence, and A Toad Elevating Moment), BBC, 1969-70 and 1972-74, BBC-2, 1974, then PBS, 1974-82.

Various characters, Rutland Weekend Television, BBC-2, 1975-76.

Grant Pritchard, Nearly Departed, NBC, 1989.

Jean Passepartout, Around the World in 80 Days (documentary; also known as Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days, Il giro del mondo in 80 giorni, and In 80 Tagen um die Welt), BBC, 1989, and Arts and Entertainment, 1990.

Ian Maxtone-Graham, Suddenly Susan, NBC, 1999-2000.

Appeared in various television productions, films, stage productions, albums, videos, and video games.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

(And in archive footage) Himself and various characters, Monty Python's Personal Best, 2006.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Chauffeur, Isadora: The Biggest Dancer in the World (also known as Isadora), BBC, 1966.

Pythons in Deutschland, Bavaria Atelier, 1971.

Coffin Ed, The Scream Team (also known as The Soul Patrol, La patrouille fantome, and Patrulha das almas), Disney Channel, 2002.

English man on plane, Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (also known as Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie, National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation 2," and National Lampoon's "Cousin Eddie's Christmas Vacation Lost"), NBC, 2003.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Footlights '64, Associated Television, 1964.

(Uncredited) "Alice in Wonderland," The Wednesday Play, BBC, 1967.

(As Montypython Flyingcircus) Euroshow 71, [West Germany (now Germany)], 1971.

Various characters, Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus, BBC and Bavaria Television, 1972.

Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report (also known as On Location with the Pythons), BBC, 1974.

Dirk McQuickley, S. J. Krammerhead, and narrator, The Rutles (also known as The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash), BBC-2, 1978, broadcast in the United States as All You Need Is Cash, NBC, 1978.

(And in archive footage) Himself, The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 (also known as The Pythons), BBC, 1979.

Steve Martin's Best Show Ever, NBC, 1981.

Himself, The Meaning of Monty Python's "Meaning of Life," 1983.

Himself, A Source of Innocent Merriment (also known as The English National Opera Rehearse "The Mikado"), 1987.

Ko-Ko, The Mikado (opera), Thames Television, 1987, broadcast on Great Performances, PBS, 1988.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Narrator, Saturday Night Live 15th Anniversary, NBC, 1989.

(And various characters in archive footage) Himself, Life of Python (also known as Life of Python: Monty Python 20th Anniversary Omnibus), BBC and Showtime, 1990.

(And various characters in archive footage) Himself, Twenty Years of Monty Python (Parrot Sketch Not Included) (also known as Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python), Showtime, 1990.

(In archive footage) David Frost, Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash, NBC, 1992.

Himself, It's the Monty Python Story (also known as Life of Python), Arts and Entertainment and BBC, 1993.

U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Tribute to Monty Python (also known as Monty Python's Flying Circus: Live at Aspen), HBO, 1998.

Himself, From Spam to Sperm, BBC, 1999.

Himself, It's … the Monty Python Story, BBC, 1999.

Himself, John Cleese & Anders Lund Madsen, TV2 Danmark (Denmark), 1999.

Himself, Pythonland, BBC, 1999.

Himself, Python Night, BBC, 1999.

Himself, 30 Years of Monty Python: A Revelation (also known as It's the Monty Python Story), Paramount Comedy Channel, 1999.

Monty Python Reunion Special, BBC, 1999.

Himself, The Beatles Revolution, ABC, 2000.

Himself, Canned Ham: Eric Idle, Comedy Network, 2000.

Himself, I Don't Believe It! The One Foot in the Grave Story, BBC, 2000.

Host, Life of Python, Arts and Entertainment, 2000.

Himself, Steve Martin: Seriously Funny, Comedy Central, 2000.

(In archive footage) Himself, George Harrison—Der sanfte Beatle, Hessischer Rundfunk (HR, Germany) and Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR, Germany), 2001.

(In archive footage) Himself, Gilda Radner's Greatest Moments, ABC, 2002.

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch, 2002.

Concert for George, broadcast on Great Performances, PBS, c. 2004.

Himself, Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (also known as SNL: The First 5 Years), NBC, 2005.

Earth to America!, TBS, 2005.

(In archive footage) Various characters, The 50 Greatest Comedy Films, Channel 4 (England), 2006.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Various characters, The Secret Life of Brian, Channel 4, 2007.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Various characters, What the Pythons Did Next …, Channel 4, 2007.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Billy Connolly: A BAFTA Tribute, BBC, 2002.

(In archive footage) The Comedians' Comedian, Channel 4 (England), 2005.

The 59th Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 2005.

The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize Celebrating Steve Martin (also known as The Mark Twain Prize: Steve Martin), PBS, 2005.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Various characters, At Last the 1948 Show, Rediffusion, 1967 (multiple episodes).

Himself, The Midnight Special, NBC, 1973.

Host, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night, Saturday Night Live '80, SNL, and SNL 25), NBC, 1976, 1977 (multiple episodes), 1978, 1979.

(Uncredited) "Whinfrey's Last Case," Ripping Yarns, BBC and PBS, 1979.

Derek DeWoods (British musician), "I Do, I Do," Laverne & Shirley (also known as Laverne & Shirley & Company and Laverne & Shirley & Friends), ABC, 1981.

Narrator, "The Tale of the Frog Prince," Faerie Tale Theatre (also known as Shelley Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theatre"), Showtime, 1982.

The pied piper and Robert Browning, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," Faerie Tale Theatre (also known as Shelley Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theatre"), Showtime, 1985.

Terry Halsey, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night, Saturday Night Live '80, SNL, and SNL 25), NBC, 1986.

The Legend of Sid Gottlieb, Showtime, 1987.

Himself, Showbiz Today, Cable News Network, 1990.

Himself, Aspel & Company, Independent Television (England), 1990, 1993.

Mervyn Whale, "The Man in the Long Black Coat," One Foot in the Grave, BBC, 1991.

Voice of car mechanic, "The Beast in the Cage," One Foot in the Grave, BBC, 1992.

(In archive footage) Funny Business, [U.S., Great Britain, and New Zealand], 1992.

Himself, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1993.

Voice of Chuck, "High Crane Drifter," Frasier (also known as Dr. Frasier Crane), NBC, 1996.

Voice of Galileo, "The Girl Was Trouble," Recess (animated; also known as Disney's "Recess": Created by Paul and Joe, Friminutt, La banda del patio, Llego el recreo, and Recreo), ABC and UPN, 1998.

Voice of Spanque, "Open Wide for Zombies/Dumbwaiters," The Angry Beavers (animated), Nickelodeon, 1998.

Voices of Pinky's mother and father, "The Family That Poits Together, Narfs Together," Pinky and the Brain (animated), The WB, 1998.

Himself, "Yoko Ono," The South Bank Show, Independent Television, 1999.

Voice of Galileo, "That Stinking Feeling," Recess (animated; also known as Disney's "Recess": Created by Paul and Joe, Friminutt, La banda del patio, Llego el recreo, and Recreo), ABC and UPN, 1999.

Voice of schoolmaster, "Hercules and the Complex Electra," Hercules (animated; also known as Disney's "Hercules"), ABC and syndicated, 1999.

Himself, Clive Anderson All Talk, BBC, 1999.

Himself, The Martin Short Show, syndicated, 1999.

Himself, Sin City Spectacular (also known as Penn & Teller's "Sin City Spectacular"), FX Channel, 1999.

Voice of Pluto Angel, Mickey Mouse Works (animated), ABC, episodes beginning c. 1999.

Himself, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1999, 2000.

Himself, "Comedy Records," Top Ten (also known as Top Ten Comedy Records), Channel 4 (England), 2000.

Himself, "Pecos Bill Cleans up the West," Between the Lions, PBS, 2000.

Himself, "The Penis," Dennis Miller Live, HBO, 2000.

Voice of Guzelian, "War and Peace and War," Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (animated; also known as Disney/Pixar's "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command"), UPN and syndicated, 2000.

Himself, Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show and Late Show Backstage), CBS, 2000.

Himself, The Daily Show (also known as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Global Edition), Comedy Central, 2000, 2003, 2005.

(In archive footage) Himself and various characters, The Sketch Show Story (also known as Victoria Wood's "Sketch Show Story"), BBC, 2001.

Voice of Pluto Angel, "Clarabelle's Big Secret," House of Mouse (animated; also known as Disney's "House of Mouse"), ABC, 2001.

Voice of Pluto Angel, "The Mouse Who Came to Dinner," House of Mouse (animated; also known as Disney's "House of Mouse"), ABC, 2001.

Voice of Pluto Angel, "The Stolen Cartoons," House of Mouse (animated; also known as Disney's "House of Mouse"), ABC, 2001.

Himself, "Bill Oddie," This Is Your Life, BBC, 2002.

Voice of Pluto Angel, "House of Scrooge," House of Mouse (animated; also known as Disney's "House of Mouse"), ABC, 2002.

Contestant, Jeopardy!, syndicated, 2002.

Panelist, TNN's "Conspiracy Zone with Kevin Nealon" (also known as The Conspiracy Zone), The National Network, 2002.

Voice of Declan Desmond, "C.E. D'oh," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 2003.

Voice of Declan Desmond, "'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 2003.

Himself, The Caroline Rhea Show, syndicated, 2003.

Himself, Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO, 2003.

Zookeeper, MAD TV (also known as MADtv), Fox, 2003.

Himself, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (also known as The Late Late Show), 2003, 2004.

Voice of Declan Desmond, "Fat Man and Little Boy," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 2004.

Voice of Scrapperton, "Ape New World," Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (animated), ABC Family Channel, 2004, also broadcast on other networks.

Voice of Scrapperton, "Magnetic Menace," Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (animated), ABC Family Channel, 2004, also broadcast on other networks.

Himself, 101 Best Kept Hollywood Secrets (also known as E's "101"), E! Entertainment Television, 2004, also broadcast on other networks.

Himself, "Monty Python's Flying Circus," Comedy Connections, BBC, 2005.

Voice of Scrapperton, "The Skeleton King Threat," Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (animated), ABC Family Channel, 2005.

Himself, Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (also known as Ellen and The Ellen DeGeneres Show), syndicated, 2005.

Himself, Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC, 2005.

Himself, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (also known as The Late Late Show), CBS, 2005.

Himself, NewsNight with Aaron Brown, Cable News Network, 2005.

Himself, Tavis Smiley, PBS, 2005.

Himself, The Tony Danza Show, syndicated, 2005.

(In archive footage) Himself, "Song and Dance," The Best of the Royal Variety, Independent Television 3 (England), 2006.

Himself, Parkinson, Independent Television, 2006.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Voice of car mechanic, "One Foot in the Grave," Comedy Connections, BBC, 2007.

Appeared in other programs, including an appearance as the guest host of The Soup (also known as Talk Soup), E! Entertainment Television.

Television Work; Series:

Script editor, The Liver Birds, BBC, beginning c. 1969.

(With Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) Series creator, Monty Python's Flying Circus (also known as Bun, Whackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot, Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus, A Horse, a Bucket and a Spoon, It's …, Monty Python, Owl-Stretching Time, Sex and Violence, and A Toad Elevating Moment), BBC, 1969-70 and 1972-74, BBC-2, 1974, then PBS, 1974-82.

Performer of theme song, Nearly Departed, NBC, 1989.

Performer of theme song, One Foot in the Grave, BBC, 1990-97 and 2000.

Television Director; Specials:

(And creator) The Rutles (also known as The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash), BBC-2, 1978, broadcast in the United States as All You Need Is Cash, NBC, 1978.

Director of Rutles Weekend Television segment, Steve Martin's Best Show Ever, NBC, 1981.

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch, 2002.

Television Producer; Specials:

Producer of Rutles Weekend Television segment, Steve Martin's Best Show Ever, NBC, 1981.

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch, 2002.

Television Director; Episodic:

Director of "The Rutles" segment, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night, Saturday Night Live '80, SNL, and SNL 25), NBC, 1976.

"The Tale of the Frog Prince," Faerie Tale Theatre (also known as Shelley Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theatre"), Showtime, 1982.

Film Appearances:

Various characters, And Now for Something Completely Different (also known as Monty Python's "And Now for Something Completely Different"), Columbia, 1972.

Himself, Side by Side, GTO, 1975.

Townsperson, Sir Robin, Roger the shrubber, knight who says ni, guard, Concord, collector of corpses, and Brother Maynard, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Cinema V, 1975.

(In archive footage) Himself, To See Such Fun (documentary), Rank, 1977.

Monty Python Meets Beyond the Fringe (also known as Pleasure at Her Majesty's), 1977.

Stan (called Loretta), Otto, Mr. Frisbee III, Mr. Cheeky, jailer's assistant, intensely dull youth, Harry the Haggler, and culprit woman, Life of Brian (also known as Brian of Nazareth, The Gospel according to St. Brian, Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory, and Monty Python's "Life of Brian"), Orion/Warner Bros., 1979.

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, Almi Cinema 5/Miramax, 1981.

Various characters, Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Paramount, 1982.

Commander Clement, Yellowbeard, Orion, 1983.

Himself, Group Madness (documentary), 1983.

Various characters, Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" (also known as The Meaning of Life), Universal, 1983.

Himself, The Secret Policeman's Private Parts, Independent, 1984.

Bike rider, European Vacation (also known as National Lampoon's "European Vacation," Ett paeron till farsa pa semester I Europa, Europai vakacio, Europejskie wakacje, Fars fede Europa ferie, Hilfe, die Amis kommen, Hjelp, vi ma pa ferie til Europa!, Il bonjour les vacances, Il ferias frustradas, Las vacaciones europeas de una chiflada familia americana, Ma guarda un po' 'sti americani, and Mieletoen kesis), Warner Bros., 1985.

Voice of Wreck-Gar, The Transformers: The Movie (animated; also known as Matrix Forever, The Transformers, Transformers the Movie: Apocalypse! Matrix Forever, Transformers the Movie: Mokushiroku matrix yo eien ni, and Transformers: Matrix yo eien ni), De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, 1986.

Desmond and Berthold, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (also known as Die Abenteuer des Baron von Muenchhausen), Columbia/TriStar, 1988.

Brian Hope, Nuns on the Run, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1990.

Sonny Rivers, Too Much Sun, New Line Cinema, 1991.

Wendel Dickens, Missing Pieces, Orion, 1991.

King Raff, Mom and Dad Save the World (also known as Dick and Marge Save the World, Mom und Dad retten die Welt, and O salvador do mundo), Warner Bros., 1992.

Tommy Butterfly Rainbow Peace Patel, Splitting Heirs, Universal, 1993.

Dibs, Casper (live action and animated), Universal, 1995.

Rat, The Wind in the Willows (animated; also known as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride), Good Times, 1995, Columbia, 1997.

Alan Smithee, An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (also known as An Alan Smithee Film and Burn Hollywood Burn), Buena Vista, 1997.

Voice of Devon (the two-headed dragon), Quest for Camelot (animated; also known as The Magic Sword: Quest for Camelot), Warner Bros., 1998.

Voice of the new and improved Martin, The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (animated), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists Home Entertainment, 1998.

Voice of Slyly the fox, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (animated), Legacy Releasing, 1998.

Prospector Kim Jay Darling, Dudley Do-Right, Universal, 1999.

Voice of Dr. Vosknocker, South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (animated musical; also known as South Park, South Park: All Hell Breaks Loose, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, South Park: BLU, The South Park Movie, South Park Saves the World, South Park—Der Film, South Park—Der Film: Groesser, laenger und ungeschnitten, South Park: Groesser, laenger und ungeschnitten, South Park: Groesser, laenger und unssgeschnitten, South Park: Il film—Piu grosso, piu lungo & tutto intero, South Park: Isompi, pitempi & leikkaamaton, South Park, le film—Plus long, plus grand et pas coupe, South Park: Mai mare, mai lung si necenzurat, South Park: Maior, melhor e sem cortes, South Park: Mas grande, mas largo y sin cortes, South Park: Storre, laengere & ucensureret, and South Park: Storre, lenger & usensurert), Paramount/Warner Bros., 1999.

Voice of Parenthesis, Hercules: Zero to Hero (animated), Walt Disney Pictures, 1999.

Mr. Bix, Brightness (short film), First Folio Films, 2000.

Voice of Waddlesworth, 102 Dalmatians (animated), Buena Vista, 2000.

Voice of Medoro in English version, Pinocchio (also known as Roberto Benigni's "Pinocchio," Pinocho, and Pinoquio), Medusa Distribuzione, 2002, dubbed version released by Miramax, 2002.

Celebrity, Hollywood Homicide (also known as Hollywood Cops, Two Cops, Untitled Harrison Ford Starrer, Brottsplats Hollywood, Divisao de homicidios, Hollywood: Departamento de homicidios, Hollywood Mordkommission, Homicide a Hollywood, and Murha Hollywoodissa), Columbia, 2003.

Narrator, Ella Enchanted, Miramax, 2004.

Voice of Drosselmeier, The Nutcracker and the Mouseking (animated; also known as Nussknacker und Mausekoenig), Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2004.

Himself, The Aristocrats (also known as The @r!$t*(-r@t$), ThinkFilm, 2005.

Himself, Diva 51 (documentary; also known as Untitled Eddie Izzard Documentary), ThinkFilm, c. 2005.

Himself, Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' about Him?) (documentary), LSL, 2006.

Voice of Merlin, Shrek the Third (animated; also known as Shrek 3, The Third, Shrek der Dritte, Shrek kolmas, and Shrek tercero), DreamWorks/Paramount, 2007.

Voice of Spig, Delgo (animated; also known as Delgo: A Hero's Journey), Key Creatives, 2007.

Voice, Bee Movie (animated), DreamWorks/Paramount, 2007.

Appeared as Frank, The Remains of the Piano.

Film Appearances; Theme Park Attractions:

(Uncredited) Dr. Niles Channing, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, various Disney theme parks, 1995.

Dr. Niles Channing, Journey into Your Imagination, Walt Disney World, EPCOT Center, beginning 1999.

Pierre, Pirates: 3D Show (also known Pirates 4D, 3-D Pirates Stranded at Sea World, and Piraten), Busch Entertainment Corporation/Renaissance Entertainment, shown as an attraction at various theme parks, beginning c. 1999.

Dr. Niles Channing, Journey into Imagination with Figment, EPCOT Center, beginning 2002.

Film Work:

(With others) Stage director, Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Paramount, 1982.

Executive producer, Splitting Heirs, Universal, 1993.

Director of The Remains of the Piano.

Stage Appearances:

Footlights '63, Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1963.

I'm Just Wild about Harry, Henry Miller Theatre, Edinburgh Festival, 1963.

My Girl Herbert, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, London, 1963.

Footlights '64, Edinburgh Festival, 1964.

The Tempest, Edinburgh Festival, 1964.

Oh, What a Lovely War! (musical), Leicester Phoenix Theatre, Leicester, England, 1965.

One for the Pot, Leicester Phoenix Theatre, 1965.

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, 1970.

Monty Python Live at Drury Lane, Drury Lane, London, 1974.

Various characters, Monty Python Live at City Center (also known as Monty Python Live!), City Center Theatre, New York City, 1976.

Ko-Ko, The Mikado (opera), English National Opera, 1987, and Houston Grand Opera, Houston, TX, 1989.

Eric Idle Live at the Getty, 1999.

Seussical (workshop of musical), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1999.

Major Tours:

Monty Python's First Farewell Tour, British and Canadian cities, 1973.

Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python (revue), U.S. cities, 2000.

The Greedy Bastard Tour, North American cities, 2003.

As a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python, performed in concert tours in U.S., British, and Canadian cities, 1970s; also performed at the Coventry Festival, Coventry, England, 1972.

Stage Work:

Participant, Seussical (workshop of musical), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1999.

Creative consultant, Seussical (musical), Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City, 2000-2001.

Radio Appearances; Series:

Radio Five, BBC Radio 1, 1974.

RECORDINGS

Albums with Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin):

Monty Python's Flying Circus, BBC Records, 1969.

Another Monty Python Record, Charisma, 1970.

Monty Python's Previous Record, Charisma, 1972.

Monty Python's Matching Tie and Handkerchief, Charisma, 1973, Arista, 1975.

Monty Python Live at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (also known as Monty Python Live at Drury Lane), Charisma, 1974.

The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (film soundtrack recording with additional material), Arista, 1975.

Monty Python Live at City Center, Arista, 1976.

The Worst of Monty Python, 1976.

Monty Python's Instant Record Collection, Charisma, 1977.

Monty Python's "Life of Brian" (soundtrack), Warner Bros., 1979.

Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album, Arista, 1980.

Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" (soundtrack), CBS Records, 1983.

Monty Python's The Final Ripoff (compilation), Virgin, 1987.

Monty Python Sings, Virgin, 1989.

Albums; with Others:

(With Neil Innes) The Rutland Dirty Weekend Songbook, BBC Records, 1975.

The Secret Policeman's Ball, Island, 1979.

The Rutland Isles, Artist Direct, 2003.

Singles:

(With others) "Galaxy Song"/"Every Sperm Is Sacred," c. 1983.

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," Virgin, 1991.

"FCC Song," 2004.

Other singles include "The Lumberjack Song."

Album Producer:

(With others) Monty Python's "Life of Brian" (soundtrack), Warner Bros., 1979.

Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album, Arista, 1980.

Monty Python Sings, Virgin, 1989.

Videos; Documentaries:

Himself, It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, 2000.

Himself, The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations, Columbia/TriStar Home Entertainment, 2001.

Himself, The Meaning of Making "The Meaning of Life" (also known as Monty Python's "The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’"), Universal Studios Home Video, 2003.

Himself, George Harrison: The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992, Ventura, 2004.

Music Videos:

George Harrison, "Crackerbox Palace," 1976.

The Traveling Wilburys, "Wilbury Twist," 1991.

Video Games:

Voices of various characters, Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time, 7th Level, 1994.

Voice of Rincewind, Discworld (also known as Discworld: The Trouble with Dragons), Psygnosis, 1995.

Voice of Rincewind, Discworld II: Mortality Bytes (also known as Discworld II: Missing Presumed …!?), Psygnosis, 1996.

Voices of Sir Robin and other characters, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, 1996.

Voices of various characters, Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life," 1997.

Video Director:

Director of "Crackerbox Palace" music video, George Harrison: The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992, Ventura, 2004.

Music Video Director:

George Harrison, "Crackerbox Palace," 1976.

Video Game Work:

Executive producer and production designer, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, 1996.

Song performer, Discworld II: Mortality Bytes (also known as Discworld II: Missing Presumed …!?), Psygnosis, 1996.

Audiobooks:

Eric Idle, The Road to Mars, Soundelux, 1999.

Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harper, 2002.

Idle and Edward Lear, The Quite Remarkable Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat, New Millennium Audio, 2002.

WRITINGS

Teleplays; with Others; Series:

The Frost Report, BBC, 1966-67.

Do Not Adjust Your Set, Rediffusion, 1967-68, Thames Television, 1968-69.

No—That's Me over Here!, Rediffusion, 1967-68, London Weekend Television, 1970.

According to Dora, BBC, 1968.

We Have Ways of Making You Laugh, London Weekend Television, 1968.

Broaden Your Mind, BBC-2, 1968-69.

Marty Feldman, BBC-2, 1968-69.

Hark at Barker, London Weekend Television, 1969-70.

(With Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) Monty Python's Flying Circus (also known as Bun, Whackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot, Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus, A Horse, a Bucket and a Spoon, It's …, Monty Python, Owl-Stretching Time, Sex and Violence, and A Toad Elevating Moment), BBC, 1969-70 and 1972-74, BBC-2, 1974, then PBS, 1974-82.

Rutland Weekend Television, BBC-2, 1975-76.

Writer for other programs, including The Two Ronnies, BBC. Author of material that has appeared in television programs, films, stage productions, videos, video games, albums, books, and other media.

Teleplays; with Others; Movies:

Pythons in Deutschland, Bavaria Atelier, 1971.

Teleplays; with Others; Specials:

Footlights '64, Associated Television, 1964.

Twice a Fortnight, BBC, 1967.

Simply Sheila (also known as Show of the Week: Simply Sheila), BBC, 1968.

The Ronnie Barker Yearbook, [Great Britain], 1971.

Ronnie Corbett in Bed, BBC, 1971.

Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus, Bavaria Television, 1972.

Christmas Box (also known as Les Dawson's "Christmas Box"), Yorkshire Television, 1974.

Commander Badman (also known as Funny Ha Ha: Commander Badman), Independent Television (England), 1974.

The Rutles (also known as The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash), BBC-2, 1978, broadcast in the United States as All You Need Is Cash, NBC, 1978.

Steve Martin's Best Show Ever, NBC, 1981.

Life of Python (also known as Life of Python: Monty Python 20th Anniversary Omnibus), BBC and Showtime, 1990.

Twenty Years of Monty Python (Parrot Sketch Not Included) (also known as Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python), Showtime, 1990.

It's … the Monty Python Story, BBC, 1999.

Monty Python Reunion Special, BBC, 1999.

30 Years of Monty Python: A Revelation (also known as It's the Monty Python Story), Paramount Comedy Channel, 1999.

The Beasts Within (also known as The Science of Walking with Beasts: Part Two and Science Special: The Beasts Within), BBC, 2001.

The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch, 2002.

Teleplays; Episodic:

"The Pied Piper of Hamelin," Faerie Tale Theatre (also known as Shelley Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theatre"), Showtime, 1985.

Television Music; Series:

(With Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) Monty Python's Flying Circus (also known as Bun, Whackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot, Gwen Dibley's Flying Circus, AHorse, a Bucket and a Spoon, It's …, Monty Python, Owl-Stretching Time, Sex and Violence, and A Toad Elevating Moment), BBC, 1969-70 and 1972-74, BBC-2, 1974, then PBS, 1974-82.

Theme song, One Foot in the Grave, BBC, 1990-97 and 2000.

Composer of music and songs that have appeared in various television productions, films, stage productions, albums, videos, video games, and other media.

Television Music; Specials:

Composer of theme song, I Don't Believe It! The One Foot in the Grave Story, BBC, 2000.

Screenplays with Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin):

(And idea) And Now for Something Completely Different (also known as Monty Python's "And Now for Something Completely Different"; based on Monty Python's Flying Circus), Columbia, 1972.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Cinema V, 1975, published as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Book), Methuen, 1977, published as Monty Python's Second Film: A First Draft, Methuen, 1977, published as Holy Grail: Just the Screenplay, Methuen, 2002.

(And editor) Life of Brian (also known as Brian of Nazareth, The Gospel according to St. Brian, Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory, and Monty Python's "Life of Brian"), Orion/Warner Bros., 1979, published as Monty Python's "Life of Brian" (of Nazareth), Grosset, 1979.

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Paramount, 1982.

Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" (also known as The Meaning of Life), Universal, 1983.

Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School (short film), Python Pictures, 2003.

Screenplays:

(With Ian Brims) Albert Carter, Q.O.S.O. (short film), Paramount British Pictures, 1968.

Splitting Heirs, Universal, 1993.

Welcome to the Family, Savoy Pictures, 1994.

Wrote The Remains of the Piano.

Screenplays; Theme Park Attractions:

(With Leslie Nielsen) Pirates: 3D Show (also known Pirates 4D, 3-D Pirates Stranded at Sea World, and Piraten), Busch Entertainment Corporation/Renaissance Entertainment, shown as an attraction at various theme parks, beginning c. 1999.

Film Music:

Song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," Life of Brian (also known as Brian of Nazareth, The Gospel according to St. Brian, Jesus Christ: Lust for Glory, and Monty Python's "Life of Brian"), Orion/Warner Bros., 1979.

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Paramount, 1982.

Songs, including "The Meaning of Life," "Galaxy Song," and "Oh Lord Please Don't Burn Us Down," Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" (also known as The Meaning of Life), Universal, 1983, published by Grove, 1983.

The Crimson Permanent Assurance (short film), Universal/United International Pictures, 1983.

Song "The Torturer's Apprentice," The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (also known as Die Abenteuer des Baron von Muenchhausen), Columbia/TriStar, 1988.

Lyricist, Splitting Heirs, Universal, 1993.

Song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," As Good as It Gets (also known as Old Friends, Besser geht's nicht, Bolje ne bo nikoli, Det bli'r ikke bedre, Elaemae on ihanaa, Lepiej byc nie moze, Lepsi uz to nebude, Lesz ez meg igy se!, Livet fraan den ljusa sidan, Livets lyse side, Mejor … imposible, Melhor e impossivel, Millor, impossible, Pour le pire et pour le meilleur, and Qualcosa e cambiato), Sony Pictures Entertainment, 1997.

Song "Really Nice Day," The Wild (animated), Buena Vista, 2006.

Writings for the Stage with Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin):

Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, 1970.

Monty Python's First Farewell Tour, British and Canadian cities, 1973.

Monty Python Live at Drury Lane, Drury Lane, London, 1974.

Monty Python Live at City Center (also known as Monty Python Live!), City Center Theatre, New York City, 1976.

Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python (revue), U.S. cities, 2000.

As a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python, created and performed material for concert tours in U.S., British, and Canadian cities, 1970s; and at Coventry Festival, Coventry, England, 1972.

Writings for the Stage:

(With others) Footlights '63, Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1963.

(With others) Footlights '64, Edinburgh Festival, 1964.

Pass the Butler, Globe Theatre, London, 1982, published by Methuen, 1982.

Eric Idle Live at the Getty, 1999.

(Creator of original book) Seussical (workshop of musical), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1999.

(Creator of original book) Seussical (musical), Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City, 2000-2001.

The Greedy Bastard Tour, North American cities, 2003.

Stage Music; with Others:

(Author of book and lyrics and of music with John Du Prez) Monty Python's "Spamalot" (musical; also known as Spamalot; based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail), Shubert Theatre, New York City, beginning 2005, also produced elsewhere, including Wynn's Resorts, Las Vegas, NV, beginning c. 2007.

Writings for the Radio; with Others:

I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (series), BBC Light Programme, 1966, 1968.

Radio Five (series), BBC Radio 1, 1974.

(With John Du Prez) Behind the Crease (musical), BBC Radio 4, c. 1990.

Video Music; with Others:

Song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," Green Day: Bullet in a Bible, Warner Bros., 2005.

Video Game Music:

Music and song "That's Death," Discworld II: Mortality Bytes (also known as Discworld II: Missing Presumed …!?), Psygnosis, 1996.

Song "Dental Ditty," Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life," 1997.

Monty Python Books with Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin):

(And editor) Monty Python's Big Red Book, Methuen, 1972, Warner Books, 1975, published in The Complete Works of Shakespeare and Monty Python: Volume One—Monty Python, Methuen, 1981.

(Also with Jerry Gillian [pseudonym of Gilliam]) The Brand New Monty Python Bok, edited by Idle, illustrated by Terry Gilliam under the pseudonym Jerry Gilliam, and by Peter Brookes, Methuen, 1973, published as The Brand New Monty Python Papperbok, 1974, Regnery, 1976, published in The Complete Works of Shakespeare and Monty Python: Volume One—Monty Python, Methuen, 1981.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare and Monty Python: Volume One—Monty Python (also known as The Complete Works of Shakespeare and Monty Python; contains Monty Python's Big Red Book and The Brand New Monty Python Papperbok), Warner Books, 1976, Methuen, 1981.

Montypythonscrapbook, Grosset, 1979.

The Monty Python Gift Books (contains Monty Python's Big Red Book and The Brand New Monty Python Papperbok), Methuen, 1988.

The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words, two volumes, Pantheon, 1989.

Monty Python: Just the Words, Pantheon, 1989.

Monty Python Speaks! John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin Recount an Amazing, and Silly, Thirty-Year Spree in Television and Film—In Their Own Words, Squire!, interviewed by David Morgan, Spike, 1999.

Pocketful of Python: Volume 2, Methuen Drama, 2000.

Pocket Full of Pythons, five volumes, Methuen, 2000-2003.

(And with Barry X. Miller) The Pythons: Autobiography by the Pythons (also known as The Pythons), Thomas Dunne Books, 2003.

Humor:

The Rutland Dirty Weekend Book, Eyre Methuen, 1976.

Novels:

Hello Sailor, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1974.

The Road to Mars: A Post-Modern Novel, Pantheon, 1999, audio version released by Soundelux, 1999.

Some sources cite Idle as the author of other novels.

Writings for Children:

(And song composer) The Quite Remarkable Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat (based on the work of Edward Lear), illustrated by Lear and Wesla Weller, Dove Kids, 1996, audio version released by New Millennium Audio, 2002.

Nonfiction:

The Greedy Bastard Diary: A Comic Tour of America, HarperEntertainment, 2005.

Albums with Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin):

Monty Python's Flying Circus, BBC Records, 1969.

Another Monty Python Record, Charisma, 1970.

Monty Python's Previous Record, Charisma, 1972.

Monty Python's Matching Tie and Handkerchief, Charisma, 1973, Arista, 1975.

Monty Python Live at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (also known as Monty Python Live at Drury Lane), Charisma, 1974.

The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (film soundtrack recording with additional material), Arista, 1975.

Monty Python Live at City Center, Arista, 1976.

The Worst of Monty Python, 1976.

Monty Python's Instant Record Collection, Charisma, 1977.

Monty Python's "Life of Brian" (soundtrack), Warner Bros., 1979.

Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album, Arista, 1980.

Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" (soundtrack), CBS Records, 1983.

Monty Python's The Final Ripoff (compilation), Virgin, 1987.

Monty Python Sings, Virgin, 1989.