**John Cleese** (born in 1939) is a British actor, comedian, and screenwriter, best known as a founding member of the comedy group Monty Python. His notable film career includes unforgettable roles in Python classics such as **Monty Python and the Holy Grail** (1975), **Life of Brian** (1979), and **The Meaning of Life** (1983).

He gained widespread international acclaim with **A Fish Called Wanda** (1988), which he co-wrote and starred in, followed by **Fierce Creatures** (1997). Notable among his later roles are that of 'R' (later 'Q') in several James Bond films and Nearly Headless Nick in the **Harry Potter** series.

His distinctive style is characterized by intellectual and surreal humour, often leaning towards social satire. He is famous for portraying characters who appear composed but are easily irritable, pompous, or neurotic, often of middle-class or aristocratic background, with a unique ability to combine *deadpan* delivery with controlled outbursts of rage.