What Is John Cleese's Net Worth?
John Cleese, a revered English actor, comedian, writer, and producer, has built an impressive net worth of $20 million. He is best known for his association with the surreal British comedy troupe Monty Python, famous for the iconic TV show 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' and acclaimed films such as 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' 'Monty Python's Life of Brian,' and 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.'
Early Life
Born on October 27, 1939, in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, John Marwood Cleese was the only child of insurance salesman Reginald Francis Cleese and Muriel Evelyn. Originally bearing the surname Cheese, his father changed it to Cleese during his World War One enlistment out of embarrassment.
Cleese demonstrated academic prowess from an early age, excelling at St Peter's Preparatory School and later winning an exhibition at Clifton College. His scholastic achievements were complemented by his talents in cricket and boxing. After teaching several subjects, he enrolled at Downing College, Cambridge, where he joined the Cambridge Footlights, graduating in 1963.
Pre-Python Days
John Cleese began his career in comedy by writing scripts and performing for the 1963 Footlights Revue, which garnered success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This venture saw him meet his future writing partner, Graham Chapman, and the team gained international recognition as the Cambridge Circus.
While in New York with the revue, Cleese appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, eventually securing a writing role with BBC Radio. This experience connected him with other future Pythons such as Terry Gilliam and actress Connie Booth. His work on 'The Frost Report' introduced him to future Monty Python members Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Terry Jones.
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The Monty Python Years
Cleese and Chapman, alongside Gilliam, Jones, and Idle, founded Monty Python. 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' enjoyed a successful four-season run on BBC Television from October 1969 to December 1974. Despite leaving after the third season, Cleese made indelible contributions, including 'The Ministry of Silly Walks' and the 'Sergeant Major' character.
Following the series, the group transitioned to feature films like 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' 'Monty Python's Life of Brian,' and 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life,' which became landmark comedies, influencing future generations of writers and comedians.
Film and TV Career
Post-Python, Cleese co-wrote and starred in the beloved TV series 'Fawlty Towers' with his then-wife Connie Booth. His notable film performances include 'Clockwise,' 'A Fish Called Wanda,' 'George of the Jungle,' 'The World Is Not Enough,' 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,' and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.'
Personal Life & Divorce Settlement
John Cleese has been married four times, most recently to Jennifer Wade in 2012, and has two children. His divorce from his third wife, Alyce Faye, in 2008 resulted in a substantial $20 million settlement plus $1 million annually until 2016.
Philanthropic Efforts and Politics
Cleese, along with other Python members, has supported charities like Amnesty International. A vocal supporter of the Liberal Democrats, he endorsed Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008 and once offered to write speeches for him. A well-known lover of lemurs, Cleese has an asteroid (9618 Johncleese) named after him. He served as Provost's Visiting Professor at Cornell University and Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large from 1999 to 2006. In 2016, he publicly criticized Donald Trump's presidential run, branding him 'a narcissist with no attention span.'
Real Estate
In 1998, Cleese purchased a Montecito, California home for $3.443 million, selling it in 2010 for $5.1 million. He also sold a Montecito equestrian ranch in 2008 for $16 million to billionaire Craig McCaw. Amid his disappointment over Brexit, Cleese listed his England residence for $3 million in 2018 before relocating to Nevis in the Caribbean.
