Wikipedia

Michael Palin

Sir Michael Edward Palin(/ˈpeɪlɪn/;born 5 May 1943[1]) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter. He was a member of theMonty Pythoncomedy group.[2]He received theBAFTA Fellowshipin 2013[3]and wasknightedby QueenElizabeth IIin2019.[4][5]

Sir
Michael Palin
KCMGCBEFRGSFRSGSFRSL
Palin wearing glasses
Palin in 2018 at theNational Churches Trustcarol concert
Born
Michael Edward Palin

(1943-05-05)5 May 1943(age 81)
Sheffield,West Riding of Yorkshire,England
EducationShrewsbury School,Shropshire
Alma materBrasenose College,University of Oxford(BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • writer
  • television presenter
Years active1965–present
Known for
Spouse
Helen Gibbins
​
​
(m.1966; died 2023)​
Children3
Websitethemichaelpalin

Palin started in television working on programmes including theKen DoddShow,The Frost Report,andDo Not Adjust Your Set.He joinedMonty Python's Flying Circus(1969–1974) alongsideJohn Cleese,Eric Idle,Terry Gilliam,Terry Jones,andGraham Chapman.He acted in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic","Dead Parrot sketch","The Lumberjack Song","The Spanish Inquisition","Bicycle Repair Man",and"The Fish-Slapping Dance".Palin continued to work with Jones away from Python, co-writingRipping Yarns.[6]

Palin co-wrote and starred inMonty Python and the Holy Grail(1975),Life of Brian(1979) andThe Meaning of Life(1983). For his performance inA Fish Called Wanda(1988) he received theBAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.[7][8]Other notable films includeJabberwocky(1977),Time Bandits(1981),The Missionary(1982),A Private Function(1984),Brazil(1985),Fierce Creatures(1997), andThe Death of Stalin(2017).

Since 1980, Palin has made numerous televisiontravel documentariesand is a widely recognised writer and presenter.[9]He has been atravel writerand travel documentarian in programmes broadcast on theBBC.His journeys have taken him across the world, including theNorthandSouth Poles,theSahara,theHimalayas,Eastern Europe, andBrazil;in 2018, he visitedNorth Korea,documenting his visit to the isolated country in a series broadcast onChannel 5.Palin visited Nigeria in 2023 to make a travel documentary that was aired in 2024. From 2009 to 2012 he was president of theRoyal Geographical Society.[10]

Early life and education

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Palin was born inRanmoor,Sheffield,[11][12]the second child and only son of Edward Moreton Palin (1900–1977)[13][14]and Mary Rachel Lockhart (née Ovey; 1903–1990). His father was aShrewsburyandCambridge-educated engineer working for a steel firm.[15]His maternal grandfather, Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Lockhart Ovey,DSO,wasHigh Sheriff of Oxfordshirein 1927.[16]

Palin was educated atBirkdaleandShrewsbury School.His sister Angela was nine years his senior; despite the age gap the two had a close relationship until her suicide in 1987.[15][17]Palin has ancestral roots inLetterkenny,County Donegal.[18]His great-grandmother fled theIrish Famineand was adopted by a wealthy English family.[19]

When he was five years old, Palin had his first acting experience at Birkdale playing Martha Cratchit in a school performance ofA Christmas Carol.At the age of 10, still interested in acting, he made a comedymonologueand read aShakespeareplay to his mother while playing all the parts.[20]

After leaving Shrewsbury in 1962, he went on to read Modern History atBrasenose College, Oxford.[1]With fellow studentRobert Hewisonhe performed and wrote, for the first time, comedy material at a university Christmas party.[21]Terry Jones,also a student at Oxford, saw that performance and began writing with Hewison and Palin.[20]That year Palin joined the Brightside and Carbrook Co-operative Society Players and first gained fame when he won an acting award at a Co-op drama festival.[22]He also performed and wrote inthe Oxford Revue(called the Et ceteras) with Jones.[23]

Career

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Early career

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After finishing university in 1965, Palin became a presenter on a comedy pop show calledNow!for the television contractorTelevision Wales and the West.[24]At the same time, Palin was contacted by Jones, who had left university a year earlier, to help with writing a theatrical documentary about sex through the ages.[25]Although this project was eventually abandoned, it brought Palin and Jones together as a writing duo and led them to write comedy for variousBBCprogrammes, such asThe Ken Dodd Show,The Billy Cotton Bandshow,andThe Illustrated Weekly Hudd.[26]They collaborated in writing lyrics for an album by Barry Booth calledDiversions.They were also in the team of writers working forThe Frost Report,whose other members includedFrank Muir,Barry Cryer,Marty Feldman,Ronnie Barker,Ronnie Corbett,Dick Vosburghand future Monty Python membersGraham Chapman,John CleeseandEric Idle.[27][28][29]

Although the members of Monty Python had already encountered each other over the years,The Frost Reportwas the first time all the British members of Monty Python (its sixth member,Terry Gilliam,was at that time an American citizen) worked together.[15]During the run ofThe Frost Reportthe Palin/Jones team contributed material to two shows starringJohn Bird:The Late ShowandA Series of Birds.ForA Series of Birdsthe Palin/Jones team had their first experience of writing narrative instead of the short sketches they were accustomed to conceiving.[30]

FollowingThe Frost Reportthe Palin/Jones team worked both as actors and writers on the showTwice a FortnightwithGraeme Garden,Bill OddieandJonathan Lynn,and the successful children's comedy showDo Not Adjust Your Setwith Idle andDavid Jason.The show also featured musical numbers by theBonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band,including future Monty Python musical collaboratorNeil Innes.The animations forDo Not Adjust Your Setwere made by Terry Gilliam. Eager to work with Palin[31]sans Jones, Cleese later asked him to perform inHow to Irritate Peopletogether with Chapman andTim Brooke-Taylor.The Palin/Jones team were reunited forThe Complete and Utter History of Britain.[32]

Monty Python

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Main article:Monty Python
Palin in "The Spanish Inquisition"sketch at the 2014 reunion,Monty Python Live (Mostly)

On the strength of their work onThe Frost Reportand other programmes, Cleese and Chapman had been offered a show by the BBC, but Cleese was reluctant to do atwo-man showfor various reasons, among them Chapman's reputedly difficult personality. During this period Cleese contacted Palin about doing the show that ultimately becameMonty Python's Flying Circus.[15]At the same time the success ofDo Not Adjust Your Sethad led Palin, Jones, Idle and Gilliam to be offered their own series and, while it was still in production, Palin agreed to Cleese's proposal and brought along Idle, Jones and Gilliam. Thus the formation of the Monty Python troupe has been referred to as a result of Cleese's desire to work with Palin and the chance circumstances that brought the other four members into the fold.[16]

Palin played various roles inMonty Python,which ranged from manic enthusiasm (such as thelumberjackof "The Lumberjack Song",or Herbert Anchovy, host of the game show" Blackmail ") to unflappable calmness (such as thedead parrotseller orcheese shopproprietor).[33][34][35]As astraight manhe was often a foil to the rising ire of characters portrayed by Cleese. He also played timid, socially inept characters such as Arthur Putey, the man who sits quietly as a marriage counsellor (Eric Idle) makes love to his wife (Carol Cleveland), and Mr Anchovy, a chartered accountant who wants to become a lion tamer. He appeared as the"It's" man(aRobinson Crusoe-type castaway with torn clothes and a long, unkempt beard) at the beginning of most episodes. He also frequently played aGumby,a character Palin said "had these moronic views that were expressed with extraordinary force".[36]

Palin frequently co-wrote sketches withTerry Jones,including the "Spanish Inquisition sketch",which featured thecatchphrase"Nobody expects theSpanish Inquisition!".He also composed songs with Jones including" The Lumberjack Song ","Every Sperm Is Sacred"and"Spam".His solo musical compositions included"Decomposing Composers"and"Finland".[37]

1974–1996:Ripping Yarnsand film roles

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In 1971, he co-wrote, withHugh LeonardandTerence Feely,the filmPercy,which depicts apenis transplant.

After theMonty Pythontelevision series ended in 1974, the Palin/Jones team worked onRipping Yarns,an intermittent television comedy series broadcast over three years from 1976. They had earlier collaborated on the playSecretsfrom the BBC seriesBlack and Bluein 1973. He played the lead role of the peasant Dennis in Terry Gilliam's 1977 filmJabberwocky.(He had earlier played the cameo role of "Dennis the Peasant" inMonty Python and the Holy Grail,also directed by Gilliam.) Palin also appeared inAll You Need Is Cash(1978) as Eric Manchester (based onDerek Taylor), the press agent forthe Rutles.In 1980, Palin co-wroteTime Banditswith Terry Gilliam. He also acted in the film.

In 1982, Palin wrote and starred inThe Missionary,co-starringMaggie Smith.In it, he plays the Reverend Charles Fortescue, who is recalled from Africa to aid prostitutes. He co-starred with Maggie Smith again in the 1984 comedy filmA Private Function.In 1984, he reunited with Terry Gilliam to appear inBrazil.He appeared in the comedy filmA Fish Called Wanda,which co-starred and was co-written by John Cleese, for which he won theBAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.[7]Cleese reunited the main cast almost a decade later to makeFierce Creatures.After filming forFierce Creaturesfinished, Palin went on a travel journey for a BBC documentary and, returning a year later, found that the end ofFierce Creatureshad failed at test screenings and had to be reshot.

1996–present

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AfterFierce Creaturesand a small part inThe Wind in the Willows,a film directed by and starring Terry Jones, it was twenty years until Palin's next film role, as Soviet politicianVyacheslav Molotovin the 2017 satirical black comedyThe Death of Stalin.Palin also appeared with John Cleese in his documentaryThe Human Face.Palin was cast in a supporting role in theTom HanksandMeg Ryanromantic comedyYou've Got Mail,but his role was eventually cut entirely.[38]

Palin has also appeared in serious drama. In 1991 he appeared in the filmAmerican Friends,which he wrote based upon a real event in the life of his great-grandfather, a fellow atSt John's College, Oxford.[39][40]In that same year he also played the part of a headmaster inAlan Bleasdale'sChannel 4drama seriesGBH.In 1994, Palin narrated the English languageaudiobookversion ofEsio Trotby children's authorRoald Dahl.[41]

In 1997, Palin had a small cameo role in the Australian soap operaHome and Away.He played an Englishsurferwith a fear ofsharks,who interrupts a conversation between two main characters to ask whether there were any sharks in the sea. This was filmed while he was in Australia for theFull Circleseries, with a segment about the filming of the role featuring in the series. In November 2005, he appeared in theJohn Peel's Record Boxdocumentary.[42]

Michael Palin, Nightingale House, inClapham,November 2010

In 2013, Palin appeared in aFirst World Wardrama titledThe Wipers Timeswritten byIan HislopandNick Newman.[43]At the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, it was announced that Palin was set to star alongsideAdam DriverinTerry Gilliam'sThe Man Who Killed Don Quixote.[44]Palin, however, dropped out of the film after it ran into a financial problem.[45]

While speaking at theEdinburgh International Film Festival,Palin announced that he was presenting the two-part documentaryMichael Palin in North Koreato be broadcast on the British television networkChannel 5.[46]The documentary was broadcast in September 2018, in two one-hour segments on Channel 5 in the UK and in a single two-hour programme onNational Geographicin the United States.[47][48][49]It was broadcast again by Channel 5, in a single two-hour programme in December 2018.[50]

In July 2019, Palin performed a one-man stage show at theTorch Theatre, Milford Haven,Wales, about the loss of HMSErebusduring thethird Franklin expedition,which is recounted in his bookErebus: The Story of a Ship.[51]

Television documentaries

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Travel

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Michael Palin at Cadogan Hall in 2022

Palin's first travel documentary was episode 4 of the 1980BBC TelevisionseriesGreat Railway Journeys of the World,entitled "Confessions of a Trainspotter". Throughout the hour-long show, Palin humorously reminisces about his childhood hobby oftrain spottingwhile he travels throughout the UK by train from London to theKyle of Lochalsh,viaManchester,York,Newcastle upon Tyne,Edinburgh andInverness.He rides vintage railway lines and trains including theFlying Scotsman.At the Kyle of Lochalsh, Palin bought the station's long metal platform sign and is seen lugging it back to London with him.

In 1994, Palin travelled through Ireland for the same series, entitled "Derry to Kerry". In a quest for family roots, he attempted to trace his great-grandmother – Brita Gallagher – who had set sail from Ireland 150 years earlier during theGreat Famine (1845–1849),bound for a new life inBurlington,New Jersey. The series is a trip along the Palin family line.

Between 1989 and 2012, Palin appeared as a presenter in a series of travel programmes made for the BBC. It was after the veteran TV globetrotterAlan Whickerand journalistMiles Kingtonturned down presenting the first of these,Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin,that gave Palin the opportunity to present his first and subsequent travel shows.[52]In 2018, he was hired by ITN Productions to present travel documentaries commissioned by Channel 5, with journeys to North Korea and Iraq completed by 2022.[53]

Following each trip, Palin wrote a book about his travels, providing information and insights not included in the TV programme. Each book is illustrated with photographs byBasil Pao,the stills photographer who was on the team. (Exception: the first book,Around the World in 80 Days,contains some pictures by Pao but most are by other photographers.)

All seven of these books were also made available as audiobooks, and all of them are read by Palin himself.Around the World in 80 DaysandHemingway Adventureare unabridged, while the other four books were made in both abridged and unabridged versions.[59]

For four of the trips, a photography book was made by Pao, each with an introduction written by Palin. These are large coffee-table-style books with pictures printed on glossy paper. The majority of the pictures are of various people encountered on the trip, as informal portraits or showing them engaged in some interesting activity. Some of the landscape photos are displayed as two-page spreads.

Palin's travel programmes are responsible for a phenomenon called the "Palin effect", referring to areas of the world that he has visited suddenly become popular tourist attractions – for example, the significant increase in the number of tourists interested inPeruafter Palin visitedMachu Picchu.[60]In a 2006 survey of "15 of the world's top travel writers" byThe Observer,Palin named Peru'sPongo de Mainique(canyon below the Machu Picchu) his "favourite place in the world".[61]

Palin notes in his book ofAround the World in 80 Daysthat the final leg of his journey could originally have taken him and his crew on one of the trains involved in theClapham Junction rail crash,but they arrived ahead of schedule and caught an earlier train.

Art and history

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In recent years, Palin has written and presented occasional documentary programmes about artists who interest him. The first, onScottishpainterAnne Redpath,wasPalin on Redpathin 1997. InThe Bright Side of Life(2000), Palin continued on a Scottish theme, looking at the work of theScottish Colourists.Two further programmes followed on European painters;Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse(2004) andMichael Palin and the Mystery of Hammershøi(2005), about the French artistHenri MatisseandDanishartistVilhelm Hammershøirespectively. The DVDMichael Palin on Artcontains all these documentaries except for theMatisseprogramme. In 2013, he travelled to the United States and filmed in both Maine and Pennsylvania, to write and present "Michael Palin in Wyeth World", which is about the American painter Andrew Wyeth and the people who inspired his paintings.

In November 2008, Palin presented aFirst World Wardocumentary aboutArmistice Day,11 November 1918, when thousands of soldiers lost their lives in battle after the war had officially ended. Palin filmed on the battlefields of NorthernFranceandBelgiumfor the programme, called theLast Day of World War One,produced for the BBC'sTimewatchseries.[62]

Personal life

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In 1966, Palin married Helen Gibbins (born October 1942), whom he first met in 1959 on holiday inSouthwoldin Suffolk.[15]This meeting was later fictionalised in Palin's teleplay for the 1987BBCtelevision dramaEast of Ipswich.[63]Their marriage lasted for 57 years, until Helen's death from kidney failure on 2 May 2023.[64]

Palin has three adult children: Thomas (born 1969), William (born 1970), and Rachel (born 1975); he also has four grandchildren.[55]Rachel is a BBC TV director, whose work includesMasterChef: The Professionals.[65][66]William is Director of Conservation at theOld Royal Naval College,Greenwich, London,[67]and oversaw the 2018–19 restoration of the Painted Hall.[68]A photograph of William as a baby briefly appeared inMonty Python and the Holy Grailas "Sir Not-appearing-in-this-film".[69]The theatre designerJeremy Herbertis a nephew.[70]

Palin describes his religious belief as "agnosticwith doubts ".[71]He has lived inGospel Oak,London, since the 1960s.[72][73]

Palin is most notably a supporter ofSheffield Wednesday,famously holding aloft a trophy and shouting the club's name while inVeniceshootingAround the World in 80 Days.[74]He has also followed the fortunes ofSheffield United[2]andStenhousemuir F.C.[75]

On turning 80, Palin said,

Eighty is a weird land to be in. People say to you 'you're a very young 70'. No one ever says 'you're a very young 80'.

— [76]

Activism and charity

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Palin assistedCampaign for Better Transportand others with campaigns on sustainable transport, particularly those relating to urban areas, and has been president of the campaign since 1986.[77]

On 2 January 2011, he became the first person to sign the UK-based Campaign for Better Transport's Fair Fares Now campaign. In July 2015, he signed an open letter and gave an interview to support "a strong BBC at the centre of British life" at a time when the government was reviewing the corporation's size and activities.[78]

In July 2010, Palin sent a message of support for theDongria Kondhtribe ofIndia,who were resisting mining on their land by the companyVedanta Resources.Palin said, "I've been to the Nyamgiri Hills inOrissaand seen the forces of money and power that Vedanta Resources have arrayed against a people who have occupied their land for thousands of years, who husband the forest sustainably and make no great demands on the state or the government. The tribe I visited simply want to carry on living in the villages that they and their ancestors have always lived in. "[79]

Palin is a longstanding Vice President of theNational Churches Trust.[80]

Palin is a co-founder of The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering.[81]When it opened in 1993 Palin became Vice President of Action for Stammering Children. Palin's awareness and understanding of stammering stemmed from his father’s experience as a person who stammers. Over the years Palin has provided support and connection to young people and families of people who stammer.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 And Now for Something Completely Different Various roles Also writer
1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail Sir Galahad the Pure
Leader of theKnights Who Say "Ni!"
Various roles
1977 Jabberwocky Dennis Cooper
1978 All You Need Is Cash Eric Manchester/Lawyer
1979 Monty Python's Life of Brian Pontius Pilate/Various roles Also writer
1981 Time Bandits Vincent
1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl Various roles
The Missionary The Reverend Charles Fortescue Also writer and producer
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Various roles Also writer
The Crimson Permanent Assurance Workman Short film
1984 A Private Function Gilbert Chilvers
1985 Brazil Jack Lint
1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament Himself Television special
1988 A Fish Called Wanda Ken Pile
1991 American Friends Reverend Francis Ashby Also writer
1996 The Wind in the Willows The Sun Voice only
1997 Fierce Creatures Adrian 'Bugsy' Malone
2010 Not the Messiah Mrs Betty Palin/Pontius Pilate/Bevis
2011 Arthur Christmas Ernie Clicker Voice only
2012 A Liar's Autobiography:
The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman 		Various roles
2014 Monty Python Live Also writer
2015 Absolutely Anything Kindly Alien Voice only
2017 The Death of Stalin Vyacheslav Molotov
TBA The Magic Faraway Tree TBA Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1965–1966 Now! Himself (host)
1966–1967 The Frost Report Writer
The Late Show
1967 A Series of Bird's Also writer
Twice a Fortnight Various
1967–1969 Do Not Adjust Your Set
1968 Broaden Your Mind
How to Irritate People
Marty Also writer
1969 The Complete and Utter History of Britain
1969–1974 Monty Python's Flying Circus
1975 Three Men in a Boat Harris TV movie
1976–1979 Ripping Yarns Various Also writer
1978–1984 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) 4 episodes
1980 Great Railway Journeys of the World Himself Episode: "Confessions of aTrainspotter";also writer
1987 East of Ipswich Writer
1989 Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin Himself (host) Also writer
Number 27 TV movie, writer[82]
1991 G.B.H. Jim Nelson
1992 Pole to Pole with Michael Palin Himself (host) Also writer
1993 Tracey Ullman: A Class Act Various TV movie
1994 Great Railway Journeys Himself (host) Episode: "Derry to Kerry"; also writer
1995 The Wind in the Willows Rat (voice) TV movie
1996 The Willows in Winter
1997 Full Circle with Michael Palin Himself (host) Also writer
Palin on Redpath
1998 Monty Python Live at Aspen Himself / various
1999 Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure Himself (host) Also writer
2000 Michael Palin On... The Colourists
2002 Sahara with Michael Palin
Life on Air
2004 Himalaya with Michael Palin Also writer
Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse
2005 Michael Palin and the Mystery of Hammershøi
2007 Michael Palin's New Europe Also writer
Robbie the Reindeer Gariiiiiii/Gary (voice) Episode: "Close Encounters of the Herd Kind"
2008 Around the World in 20 Years Himself (host) Also writer
2012 Brazil with Michael Palin
2013 The Wipers Times General Mitford TV movie
Michael Palin in Wyeth's World Himself (host) Also writer
2014 Remember Me Tom Parfitt
2015 Clangers Narrator[83]
Michael Palin's Quest for Artemisia Himself (host)
2018 Vanity Fair William Makepeace Thackeray
Michael Palin in North Korea[84] Himself (host)
2019 Worzel Gummidge The Green Man[85]
2020 The Simpsons Museum Curator (voice) Episode: "I, Carumbus"
Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime[86] Himself (host)
Michael Palin’s Himalaya: Journey of a Lifetime[87]
2021 Staged Himself
2022 Michael Palin: Into Iraq[88] Himself (host)
2024 Michael Palin in Nigeria[89]

Radio

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  • The Weekend(2017, adapted from his 1994 stage play)
  • John Finnemore's Double Acts– "The Wroxton Box" (Series 2, Episode 6; 2017)
  • Torchwood:Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Rela xing Seascapes #4 (April 2020)

Bibliography

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Travel books

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  • Around the World in 80 Days(1989)ISBN0-563-20826-0
  • Pole to Pole(1992)ISBN0-563-37065-3
  • Full Circle(1997)ISBN0-563-37121-8
  • Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure(1999)ISBN0-297-82528-3
  • Sahara(2002)ISBN0-297-84303-6
  • Himalaya(2004)ISBN0-297-84371-0
  • New Europe(2007)ISBN0-297-84449-0
  • Brazil(2012)ISBN0-297-86626-5
  • North Korea Journal(2019)ISBN978-1786331908
  • Into Iraq(2022)ISBN978-1529153118
  • Across Nigeria(2025)ISBN978-1529154726

All but the latest two of his travel books can be read with no charge, complete and unabridged, onPalin's Travels websiteArchived1 November 2020 at theWayback Machine.

Autobiography (contributor)

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Diaries

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Fiction

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Non-fiction

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Children's books

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Plays

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Awards, honours and legacy

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Class 153, no. 153335Michael PalinatCambridge

Palin was instrumental in setting up theMichael Palin Centre for Stammering Childrenin 1993.[90]Also in 1993, each member of Monty Python had anasteroidnamed after them. Palin's is Asteroid9621 Michaelpalin.[91]In 2003, inside theGlobea commemorative stone was placed – Palin has his own stone, to mark donors to the theatre, but it is misspelt as "Michael Pallin". The story goes that John Cleese paid for the stone, and mischievously insisted on misspelling his name.[92]

In honour of his achievements as a traveller, especially rail travel, Palin has two British trains named after him. In 2002, Virgin Trains' new £5 million high-speedSuper Voyagertrain number 221130 was namedMichael Palin– it carries his name externally and a plaque is located adjacent to the onboard shop with information on Palin and his many journeys.[93]Also,National Express East Anglianamed aBritish Rail Class 153(unit number 153335) after him. (He is amodel railwayenthusiast.[94][self-published source?])

Sheffield Legendsplaque in Palin's home city ofSheffield,England

In 2008, he received theJames Joyce Awardof theLiterary and Historical Societyin Dublin. In recognition of his services to the promotion of geography, Palin was awarded theLivingstone Medalof theRoyal Scottish Geographical Societyin March 2009, along with aFellowship of this Society(FRGS).[95]

In June 2013, he was similarly honoured in Canada with a gold medal for achievements in geography by theRoyal Canadian Geographical Society.[96]In June 2009, Palin was elected for a three-year term as President of theRoyal Geographical Society.[97][98]Because of his self-described "amenable, conciliatory character" Michael Palin has been referred to as unofficially "Britain's Nicest Man".[99]In a 2018 poll forYorkshire Dayhe was named the greatest Yorkshireman ever, ahead ofSean BeanandPatrick Stewart.[100]

In September 2013, Moorlands School, Leeds, named one of their school houses "Palin" after him.[101]TheUniversity of St Andrewsawarded Palin anhonoraryDoctor of Sciencedegree during their June 2017 graduation ceremonies, with the degree recognising his contribution to the public's understanding of contemporary geography.[102]He joins his fellow PythonsJohn CleeseandTerry Jonesin receiving an honorary degree from the Fife institution.[103]In October 2018, theRoyal Canadian Geographical Societyawarded Palin the first Louie Kamookak Medal for advances in geography, for his book on the history of the polar exploration vesselHMSErebus.[104]

Palin was appointed aCommander of the Order of the British Empire(CBE) in the2000 New Year Honoursfor "services to television drama and travel documentaries".[105]He then was appointed aKnight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George(KCMG) in the2019 New Year Honoursfor "services to travel, culture and geography". Palin is the only member of the Monty Python team to receive a knighthood.[106]

In 2017, the British Library acquired Palin's archive consisting of project files relating to his work, notebooks, and personal diaries. The papers in the archive (Add MS 89284) relate to his work withMonty Python,his later TV work, and his children's and humorous books.[107]

BAFTA Awards

Other awards

  • 2011 Awarded theAardmanSlapstickVisual Comedy Legend award for "significant contributions made to the world of comedy".[112]
  • 2020 National Television Awards Special Recognition Award
Sir Michael Palin with the AIB Lifetime Achievement Award November 2024

References

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  1. ^ab"PALIN, Michael Edward".Who's Who.Vol. 2015 (Oxford University Pressed.). A & C Black.(Subscription orUK public library membershiprequired.)
  2. ^abAppleyard, Bryan (9 September 2018)."The Magazine Interview: Michael Palin on Monty Python, travel and how to stay married".The Times.Archivedfrom the original on 22 June 2020.Retrieved8 September2019.
  3. ^"Michael Palin To Receive Academy Fellowship at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards".bafta.org. 2 May 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 31 August 2014.Retrieved15 May2013.
  4. ^"Trio of Dames lead showbiz honours".BBC News.31 December 1999.Archivedfrom the original on 30 June 2022.Retrieved15 August2006.
  5. ^"New Year Honours 2019: Twiggy, Michael Palin and Gareth Southgate on list".BBC. 28 December 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 29 October 2020.Retrieved28 December2018.
  6. ^""Ripping Yarns" remembers a Britain that is not yet lost ".The Economist.5 January 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 4 August 2020.Retrieved8 September2019.
  7. ^ab"Film – Actor in a Supporting Role in 1989".BAFTA.Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2013.Retrieved11 January2008.
  8. ^"Sir Michael Palin to have heart surgery".BBC.24 July 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 26 July 2019.Retrieved8 September2019.
  9. ^"Michael Palin | British comedian".Encyclopedia Britannica.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2018.Retrieved5 September2018.
  10. ^People & StaffArchived15 June 2012 at theWayback MachineRoyal Geographical Society. Retrieved 24 June 2012
  11. ^Scott, Danny (2 June 2013)."Time and place: Michael Palin".The Sunday Times.Archivedfrom the original on 10 August 2017.Retrieved10 August2017.
  12. ^Peace, Lee (25 July 2019)."Sheffield-born comic legend Sir Michael Palin to undergo heart surgery".The Star (UK).Archivedfrom the original on 10 September 2023.Retrieved8 September2019.
  13. ^Barratt, Nick (11 November 2006)."Family detective".The Daily Telegraph.London, England.Archivedfrom the original on 11 January 2022.Retrieved25 October2008.
  14. ^"Michael Palin Biography (1943–)".Filmreference.Archivedfrom the original on 20 May 2011.Retrieved1 June2011.
  15. ^abcdeChalmers, Robert (29 July 2012)."The dark knight rises: Perhaps Michael Palin isn't the nicest chap in Britain after all..."The Independent.London, England: Independent Print Limited. Archived fromthe originalon 14 August 2012.Retrieved14 August2012.
  16. ^abChapman, Graham; Palin, Michael; Cleese, John; Gilliam, Terry; Idle, Eric; Jones, Terry; McCabe, Bob (2005).The Pythons Autobiography by The Pythons.New York City: Thomas Dunne Books.ISBN978-0312311445.
  17. ^Pao, Basil (23–24 October 2004)."The wandering man".The Weekend Standard.Hong Kong: Sing Tao Newspaper Group and Global China Group. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2011.Retrieved1 June2011.
  18. ^Feeny, Seán P. (14 March 2013)."First Letterkenny heritage magazine launched".Donegal News.Letterkenney, Ireland: North-West News Group. Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2013.Retrieved14 March2013.Over 100 people attended the official launch of Letterkenny Community Heritage Group's new magazine in the Station House Hotel this week. [...] Did you know that Michael Palin of Monty Python fame has ancestral roots in the town?
  19. ^"Back to his roots Students honour Palin".Independent.27 March 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 17 November 2021.Retrieved17 November2021.
  20. ^abRoss 1997,p. 200.
  21. ^"Michael Palin biography".Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2009.
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Further reading

edit
  • Jones, Mark (2010).The Famous Charisma DiscographyThe Record Press/Bristol Folk PublicationsISBN978-0-9563531-1-5– discography of Monty Python's record label, includes foreword by Michael Palin
  • Novick, Jeremy (2001).Life of Michael: an Illustrated Biography of Michael PalinHeadline Publishing (a division of Hodder Headline)ISBN0-7472-3529-5
  • Ross, Robert (1997).Monty Python Encyclopedia.London: B.T. Batsford Ltd.ISBN1-57500-036-9.
  • Wilmut, Roger (1980).From Fringe to Flying Circus: Celebrating a Unique Generation of Comedy 1960–1980Eyre Methuen LtdISBN0-413-50770-X
edit
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