Biography for
Michael Palin

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He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honors List for his services to television drama and travel documentaries.

He is a graduate of Oxford with a degree in History.

Member of the comedy group "Monty Python"

Children: Thomas (b. 1969), William (b. 1971) and Rachel (b. 1975)

Left the Reform Club in London on September 25 1988 for a journey "Around the World in 80 Days" (1989/II), accompanied by a BBC TV team.

Attended Brasenose College, Oxford University.

Is a supporter of Sheffield United Football Club

Whilst filming "Full Circle with Michael Palin" (1997), Palin helped to hatch a baby crocodile and asked the crew to get a shot of himself with a crocodile in his hand.

He is an old boy of the ultra-exclusive and expensive English Public school, Shrewsbury School. The section of "Monty Python's meaning of life" set in the school of "Sudbury" is a reference to his time there.

The Virgin Super Voyager train number 221 130 named after him.

He was voted by the public as the best looking Monty Python out of the entire group.

His father had a rather serious stutter. This came in handy when he played Ken (the stuttering thief) in A Fish Called Wanda (1988).

In a quest for a "Peter Jonesy sort of voice", the casting crew for the original radio series, "The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy" approached Palin to play the part of The Book (he turned the part down). The part was eventually given to the very "Peter Jonesy" Peter Jones.

The Pythons had little idea how fanatical their American audience had become when they performed the live shows that were immortalized in Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982). According to Carol Cleveland, as the group were exiting backstage one night, a young (20-ish) girl ran up to Palin, screamed "Oh, Michael!", and promptly fainted in his arms. Palin had to pass the girl to others to help, as he was literally speechless in shock.

His wide travels are so well known that he now has his own travel website called "Palin's Travels.".

In addition to attending the exclusive Shrewsbury School, and later, the University of Oxford; as a lad, he also attended Brikdale School in Sheffield.

Was born the son of an engineer in the industrial city of Sheffield.

Personal Quotes

[From an interview about the late Graham Chapman]: "He always regarded death as highly overrated and could never understand why anybody made such a fuss about it."

Where Are They Now

(June 2008) London NW5, England

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