Graham Chapman
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- January 8, 1941 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England
- Died
- October 4, 1989
- Active Years
- 1961–2021 (61 Years)
- Total Credits
- 106 credits in database
Biography
Graham Arthur Chapman was an English comedian, writer, actor, and physician born on January 8, 1941, in Leicester, England. He was one of the six members of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Chapman attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and St Bartholomew's Medical College, ultimately choosing a career in comedy over medicine. He served as the lead actor in the Monty Python narrative films, portraying King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the title character in Monty Python's Life of Brian. Additionally, he co-authored and starred in the film Yellowbeard. Chapman died on October 4, 1989. His life and legacy were later commemorated at a memorial service held at the Great Hall of St Bartholomew's Hospital.
Career overview
Graham Arthur Chapman was an English actor, comedian, writer, and physician born on January 8, 1941, in Leicester, England. After graduating from Emmanuel College, Cambridge and St Bartholomew's Medical College, he chose to pursue a career in comedy rather than medicine. He is best known as one of the six members of the Monty Python comedy troupe. His work with the group included starring as King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and as the title character in Monty Python's Life of Brian. He also co-authored and starred in the film Yellowbeard.
Throughout his career, Chapman appeared in various television and film projects, including The Midnight Special and At Last the 1948 Show. His professional background as a physician was occasionally referenced in later works, such as the character of Dr. Chapman portrayed by Jack Purvis. Chapman passed away on October 4, 1989, at the age of 48. Following his death, his life and legacy were commemorated at a memorial service held in the Great Hall of St Bartholomew's Hospital, where the remaining members of the Monty Python troupe performed.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
106 titles- Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated (2021) as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
- Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014) Writer
- A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012) as Self (voice)
- A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012) Writer
- Anatomy of a Liar (2012) as Self
- Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Life Of Brian Screenplay (2008) as Wise Man #2, Brian Cohen, Biggus Dickus
- Life Of Brian Screenplay (2008) Screenplay
- Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- The Secret Life of Brian (2007) as Self / Brian (archive footage) (uncredited)
- What the Pythons Did Next... (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007) as Joachim von Ribbentrop (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Legends (2006) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Monty Python's Personal Best (2006)
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
- The Roots of Monty Python (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Looks Like a Brown Trouser Job (2005) as Self
- Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? (2004) as Self
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1 (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3 (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Iron Maiden: Visions of the Beast (2003) as Madman - in video 'Can I Play With Madness' (uncredited)
- The Life of Python (2000) as Self
- The Monty Python Story (1999) as Self
- Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm (1999) as Self
- Monty Python: Live at Aspen (1998) as Self / Various (archive footage)
- Life of Python (1990) as Various Roles (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Stage Fright (1989)
- The Movie Life of George (1989) as Self
- Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python (1989) as Self / Various Characters
- Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python (1989) Writer
- Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988) as Self
- Jake's Journey (1988) as Sir George / Queen
- Jake's Journey (1988) Writer
- Love Potion (1987) Executive Producer
- Still Crazy Like a Fox (1987) as Detective Inspector Palmer
- Omnibus Presents Comic Relief (1986)
- The Mind of David Berglas (1985)
- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) as Various Roles
- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) Screenplay
- Yellowbeard (1983) as Captain Yellowbeard
- Yellowbeard (1983) Writer
- Group Madness (1983) as Self
- The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983) as Chairman (uncredited)
- Wogan (1982) as Self
- Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) as Various Roles
- Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) Writer
- The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982) as Self - Various Roles
- One in Five (1982) as Self (uncredited)
- The Big Show (1980) as Self
- Life of Brian (1979) as Wise Man #2 / Brian Cohen / Biggus Dickus
- Life of Brian (1979) Screenplay
- The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 (1979) as Self
- The Odd Job (1978) as Arthur Harris
- The Odd Job (1978) Writer
- The Odd Job (1978) Producer
- The Secret Policeman's Ball (1976) as Self
- Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976) as Self
- Out of the Trees (1976)
- Out of the Trees (1976) Writer
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as The Colonel / Self (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Colonel (uncredited)
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) as King Arthur / Voice of God / Middle Head / Hiccoughing Guard
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Writer
- The Prince of Denmark (1974) Writer
- The Prince of Denmark (1974) Creator
- Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report (1974) as Self
- Monty Python In The Netherlands (1973)
- Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1972) as Various Characters
- The Philosophers' Football Match (1972) as Hegel
- Rentadick (1972) Writer
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Doctor at Large (1971) Writer
- Euroshow '71: May Day Special (1971) as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) as Brother / Policeman / Defence attorney / British pedestrian / Mr. Harrison (Apricot) / The Colonel / 'Hell's Grannies' policeman / Jimmy Blankensop / Sir Edward Ross / Restaurant patron #1 / Letter Writer / Oliver St. John Mollusk / Mountie / Town Guild Lady
- And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) Screenplay
- The Statue (1971) as News reader
- The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971) Writer
- The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 (1971)
- The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 (1971) Writer
- The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970) as Fromage
- The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970) Writer
- Doctor in Trouble (1970) as Roddy
- Monty Python: Who's There? (1970) as Ian
- Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) as Various
- Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) Writer
- The Magic Christian (1969) as Oxford Crew
- The Magic Christian (1969) Additional Writing
- How to Irritate People (1969) as Various
- How to Irritate People (1969) Writer
- Cilla (1968) as Self
- At Last the 1948 Show (1967)
- At Last the 1948 Show (1967) Writer
- At Last the 1948 Show (1967) Creator
- Comedy Playhouse (1961) Writer
- Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python Writer
- No – That's Me Over Here! Creator
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Graham Chapman best known for?
Graham Chapman is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014), Legends (2006), The Roots of Monty Python (2005), Erotic Ghost Story (1990).
When and where was Graham Chapman born?
Graham Chapman was born on January 8, 1941 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England. They passed away on October 4, 1989.
How many credits does Graham Chapman have?
Graham Chapman has accumulated over 106 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2021.
What is Graham Chapman's background in cinema and television?
Graham Arthur Chapman was an English comedian, writer, actor, and physician born on January 8, 1941, in Leicester, England. He was one of the six members of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Chapman attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and St Bartholomew's Medical College, ultimately choosing a career in comedy over med...
Graham Chapman by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) as Various — aged about 28
- Cilla (1968) as Self — aged about 27
- Life of Brian (1979) as Wise Man #2 / Brian Cohen / Biggus Dickus — aged about 38
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) as King Arthur / Voice of God / Middle Head / Hiccoughing Guard — aged about 34
- At Last the 1948 Show (1967) — aged about 26
- Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) as Various Roles — aged about 41
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