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Terry Gilliam

Directing Born Nov 22, 1940 Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 206 credits

Biography

Terry Gilliam is an American-British screenwriter, film director, animator, actor, and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. He was born on November 22, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Gilliam is the only member of the Monty Python troupe not born in Britain. He took British citizenship in 1968. Gilliam is known for directing fantasy and sci-fi films, including "Time Bandits," "Brazil," "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen," "The Fisher King," "12 Monkeys," "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," and "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." He has directed a total of 167 known credits.

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Career

Career overview

Terry Gilliam is a screenwriter, film director, animator, actor, and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. He is known for directing fantasy and sci-fi films. Gilliam's early work with the Pythons preceded his career as a film director.

Gilliam's directing credits include several notable films. He directed "Time Bandits" in 1981, followed by "Brazil" in 1985. He also directed "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" in 1988, "The Fisher King" in 1991, "12 Monkeys" in 1995, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" in 1998, and "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" in 2009. These films showcase his versatility and ability to create imaginative and often surreal cinematic experiences.

Gilliam's career as a film director spans multiple decades and genres, with a focus on fantasy and sci-fi. His work with the Monty Python troupe laid the groundwork for his later success as a director. Gilliam's directing credits demonstrate his ability to create visually striking and thought-provoking films that continue to be celebrated by audiences and critics alike.

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Career timeline

Le cinéma de Terry Gilliam - L’imagination au pouvoirShort cuts : L'Armée des 12 singes de Terry Gilliam · Original Film Writer
Time Bandits · CharactersMy National Gallery, LondonUma Thurman: Hollywood's Silent Warrior
Reel Britannia
Quentin Tarantino: From a Movie Buff to a Hollywood LegendClassic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Bye Bye MoronsFellini of the Spirits
An Accidental StudioHe Dreams of GiantsHappy Birthday · Art DesignerPython at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails
The Man Who Killed Don QuixoteThe Man Who Killed Don Quixote · DirectorThe Man Who Killed Don Quixote · ScreenplayBenvenuto Cellini · Stage DirectorLove Express. The Disappearance of Walerian Borowczyk
Plankton SalesmenCinéma… par Albert DupontelTom Waits: Tales from a Cracked Jukebox
The Dada PrincipleUnder the Radar: The Mike Edmonds StoryLove Bite: Laurie Lipton and Her Disturbing Black & White DrawingsBotticelli's Venus: The Making of an IconGaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels
Jupiter AscendingAbsolutely AnythingBenvenuto Cellini · Stage DirectorA Grand Night In: The Story of AardmanSean Connery: In His Own Words
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonMonty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)Monty Python Live (Mostly)Monty Python Live (Mostly) · WriterThe Kumars
The Zero Theorem · Director9 Month StretchThe Meaning of Monty PythonMünchhausen - Die Geschichte einer Lüge
Evening UrgantA Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham ChapmanRay Harryhausen: Special Effects TitanFor No Good ReasonAnatomy of a Liar
George Harrison: Living in the Material WorldAdventures in Plymptoons!The Monster of NixThe Wholly Family · DirectorThe Wholly Family · Writer
In ConfidenceArcade Fire: UNSTAGED · DirectorThe Legend of HallowdegaThe Legend of Hallowdega · DirectorNot the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus · ScreenplayThe Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus · DirectorThe Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus · ProducerThe Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus · Art DirectionMonty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut)
Life Of Brian ScreenplayLife Of Brian Screenplay · ScreenplayWhat Is Brazil?The Madness and Misadventures of MunchausenMonty Python Conquers America
The Graham Norton ShowMovie ConnectionsThe Secret Life of BrianThe Making of 'Tideland'What the Pythons Did Next...
The One ShowLocked OutMonty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal BestMonty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal BestMonty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best
The Brothers Grimm · DirectorTideland · ScreenplayTideland · DirectorThe Roots of Monty PythonThe Brothers Grimm: Bringing the Fairytale to Life
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 3The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2
Breakfast with HunterHunter Goes to HollywoodThe Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life'
HypaSpaceForever EalingLost in La ManchaChris on Chris
Trigger Happy TVThe Life of Python
The Monty Python StoryMonty Python: 30th Anniversary SketchesMonty Python: From Spam to Sperm
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas · DirectorFear and Loathing in Las Vegas · ScreenplayMonty Python: Live at AspenSpotlight on Location: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Classic AlbumsRuby
The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of 'Twelve Monkeys'The Battle of Brazil: A Video History
The Frank Skinner ShowTwelve Monkeys · DirectorThe Last Machine
Philip K Dick: A Day in the AfterlifeQuentin Tarantino: Hollywood's Boy Wonder

Full filmography

  • Le cinéma de Terry Gilliam - L’imagination au pouvoir (2026) as Self (archive footage)
  • Short cuts : L'Armée des 12 singes de Terry Gilliam (2026) Original Film Writer
  • Time Bandits (2024) Characters
  • My National Gallery, London (2024) as Self
  • Uma Thurman: Hollywood's Silent Warrior (2024) as Self (archive) - director
  • Reel Britannia (2022) as Self
  • Quentin Tarantino: From a Movie Buff to a Hollywood Legend (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • Classic Albums: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out! (2021) as Self
  • Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated (2021) as Self (archive footage)(uncredited)
  • Bye Bye Morons (2020) as Le chasseur publicité
  • Fellini of the Spirits (2020) as Self
  • An Accidental Studio (2019) as Self
  • He Dreams of Giants (2019) as Self
  • Happy Birthday (2019) Art Designer
  • Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails (2019) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) as Giant #2 (Voice)
  • The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) Director
  • The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) Screenplay
  • Benvenuto Cellini (2018) Stage Director
  • Love Express. The Disappearance of Walerian Borowczyk (2018) as Self
  • Plankton Salesmen (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • Cinéma… par Albert Dupontel (2017) as Self
  • Tom Waits: Tales from a Cracked Jukebox (2017) as Self
  • The Dada Principle (2016) as Self
  • Under the Radar: The Mike Edmonds Story (2016) as Himself
  • Love Bite: Laurie Lipton and Her Disturbing Black & White Drawings (2016) as Himself
  • Botticelli's Venus: The Making of an Icon (2016) as Himself
  • Gaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels (2016) as Himself
  • Jupiter Ascending (2015) as Seal and Signet Minister
  • Absolutely Anything (2015) as Nasty Alien (voice)
  • Benvenuto Cellini (2015) Stage Director
  • A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman (2015) as Self - Director and Animator
  • Sean Connery: In His Own Words (2015) as Self
  • Film Adventurer Karel Zeman (2015) as Self
  • I REC U (2015) as Dr. Therieux
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
  • Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) (2014) as Self (archive footage)
  • Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014) as Self, others
  • Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014) Writer
  • The Kumars (2014) as Self
  • Monty Python: The Meaning of Live (2014) as Self
  • Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar (2014) as Self
  • The Zero Theorem (2013) Director
  • 9 Month Stretch (2013) as Charlie Meatson
  • The Meaning of Monty Python (2013) as Self
  • Münchhausen - Die Geschichte einer Lüge (2013) as Himself
  • Evening Urgant (2012) as Self
  • A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012) as Various (voice)
  • Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (2012) as Self
  • For No Good Reason (2012) as Self
  • Anatomy of a Liar (2012) as Self
  • The Cricklewood Greats (2012) as Himself
  • Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil (2012) as Self - Director
  • Magical Mystery Tour Revisited (2012) as Self
  • George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011) as Self
  • Adventures in Plymptoons! (2011) as Self
  • The Monster of Nix (2011) as The Ranger (Voice)
  • The Wholly Family (2011) Director
  • The Wholly Family (2011) Writer
  • In Confidence (2010)
  • Arcade Fire: UNSTAGED (2010) Director
  • The Legend of Hallowdega (2010) as Senior Citizen in Photo (uncredited)
  • The Legend of Hallowdega (2010) Director
  • Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) (2010) as Not an Individual / Mexican / Mountie
  • Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) (2010) as Self
  • Dante Ferretti: Production Designer (2010) as Self
  • Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall (2010)
  • Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) - Theatrical Release (2010) as Self
  • The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) Screenplay
  • The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) Director
  • The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) Producer
  • The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) Art Direction
  • Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (2009) as Self
  • Heath Ledger: A Tribute (2009) as Self
  • Life Of Brian Screenplay (2008) as Man Even Further Forward, Revolutionary, Jailer
  • Life Of Brian Screenplay (2008) Screenplay
  • What Is Brazil? (2008) as Self
  • The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen (2008) as Self - Director & Writer
  • Monty Python Conquers America (2008) as Self
  • Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus (2008) as Self
  • Mel Blanc: The Man of a Thousand Voices (2008) as Himself
  • The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
  • Movie Connections (2007) as Self
  • The Secret Life of Brian (2007) as Self
  • The Making of 'Tideland' (2007) as Self
  • What the Pythons Did Next... (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • Forging the Frame: The Roots of Animation, 1900-1920 (2007) as Himself
  • The One Show (2006) as Self - Guest
  • Locked Out (2006) as Le faux bébé
  • 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—John Cleese's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
  • Monty Python's Personal Best (2006) as Self / Various Characters
  • Monty Python's Personal Best (2006) Creator
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin'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—Graham Chapman's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best (2006) as Various Characters
  • The Brothers Grimm (2005) Director
  • Tideland (2005) Screenplay
  • Tideland (2005) Director
  • The Roots of Monty Python (2005) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Brothers Grimm: Bringing the Fairytale to Life (2005) as Self
  • Le court des grands (2005) Director
  • The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes (2005) Executive Producer
  • Getting Gilliam (2005) as Self
  • The Visual Magic of the Brothers Grimm (2005) as Himself
  • 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 3 (2004) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 2 (2004) as Self (archive footage)
  • Breakfast with Hunter (2003) as Self
  • Hunter Goes to Hollywood (2003) as Himself
  • The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' (2003) as Self
  • HypaSpace (2002) as Self
  • Forever Ealing (2002) as Self
  • Lost in La Mancha (2002) as Self - Writer & Director
  • Chris on Chris (2002) as Self
  • Trigger Happy TV (2000) as Self
  • The Life of Python (2000) as Self
  • The Monty Python Story (1999) as Self
  • Monty Python: 30th Anniversary Sketches (1999) as Self
  • Monty Python: From Spam to Sperm (1999) as Self
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Director
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Screenplay
  • Monty Python: Live at Aspen (1998) as Self
  • Spotlight on Location: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) as Self
  • Classic Albums (1997) as Self
  • Ruby (1997) as Self
  • The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of 'Twelve Monkeys' (1996) as Self
  • The Battle of Brazil: A Video History (1996) as Self
  • The Frank Skinner Show (1995) as Self
  • Twelve Monkeys (1995) Director
  • The Last Machine (1995)
  • Philip K Dick: A Day in the Afterlife (1994) as Self - Interviewee
  • Quentin Tarantino: Hollywood's Boy Wonder (1994) as Self
  • The Fisher King (1991) Director
  • Life of Python (1990) as Self / Various Roles
  • 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
  • The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) as Irritating Singer Inside Fish (uncredited)
  • The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) Screenplay
  • The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) Director
  • Omnibus Presents Comic Relief (1986)
  • Cinématon n°601 : Terry Gilliam (1986)
  • Brazil (1985) as Smoking Man (uncredited)
  • Brazil (1985) Director
  • Brazil (1985) Screenplay
  • Spies Like Us (1985) as Dr. Imhaus
  • Friday People (1985)
  • Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) as Various Roles
  • Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) Screenplay
  • The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983) as Window Cleaner (uncredited)
  • The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983) Director
  • The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983) Screenplay
  • Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self
  • Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Guest
  • Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) as Various Roles
  • Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) Writer
  • Time Bandits (1981) Writer
  • Time Bandits (1981) Director
  • Time Bandits (1981) Producer
  • Life of Brian (1979) as Man Even Further Forward / Revolutionary / Jailer / Blood and Thunder Prophet / Frank / Audience Member / Crucifee
  • Life of Brian (1979) Screenplay
  • Life of Brian (1979) Production Design
  • Life of Brian (1979) Animation
  • Friday Night, Saturday Morning (1979)
  • Storytime (1979) as Narrator
  • Storytime (1979) Animation
  • Storytime (1979) Director
  • The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 (1979) as Self
  • The South Bank Show (1978) as Self
  • Cinématon (1978) as N°601
  • Jabberwocky (1977) as Man with Rock
  • Jabberwocky (1977) Director
  • Jabberwocky (1977) Screenplay
  • The Secret Policeman's Ball (1976) as Self
  • Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976) as Self
  • Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) as Patsy / Green Knight / Old Man from Scene 24 (Bridgekeeper) / Sir Bors / Animator / Gorilla Hand
  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Writer
  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Director
  • The Do-It-Yourself Film Animation Show (1974) as Terry Gilliam
  • Miracle of Flight (1974) as Voice
  • Miracle of Flight (1974) Animation
  • Miracle of Flight (1974) Director
  • Miracle of Flight (1974) Producer
  • Miracle of Flight (1974) Writer
  • 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 I. Kant
  • Film '72 (1971) as Self
  • And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) as Self-Defence Nun / Flasher / Uncle Sam / Caterpillar Man / Sign Holder / Conrad Poohs
  • And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) Screenplay
  • Euroshow '71: May Day Special (1971) as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) as Various
  • Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) Writer
  • We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh (1968) as Live Cartoonist
  • Omnibus (1967)
  • Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967)
  • Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python Writer
  • The Debra Hill Story as Self
  • TITOLI DI CODA - VIDEODROME as Terry Gilliam
  • Monty Python: Live at Aspen Creator