ACTOR · BORN 1941 · DIED 1989
Graham Chapman
- Born
- 8 January 1941
- Died
- 4 October 1989
- Known for
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), And Now for Something Completely Different (1971), Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982), Yellowbeard (1983)
22 archived facts 6 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Graham Chapman (8 January 1941 – 4 October 1989) was an actor best known for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, And Now for Something Completely Different and Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl.
22 Interesting Facts About Graham Chapman
Interesting Facts (7)
- #001
As his fellow comedy scriptwriter Jonathan Lynn put it, he was "the only true anarchist among them".
- #002
For 30 years, he was identified as the 'dead one' of the Monty Python troupe. His title/distinction finally got changed when Terry Jones passed away on January 21, 2020. (Although Neil Innes, who was sometimes called the 'seventh python' passed away less than a month before Jones).
- #003
Fellow Python John Cleese once noted the amount of material published since 1989 that Graham got credited for (mostly as co-author or because it re-uses previously recorded material) despite being dead, calling him one of the most productive dead persons in history.
- #004
Is the only member of Monty Python's Flying Circus who never worked in one of Terry Gilliam's non-Python projects.
- #005
Before joining the Cambridge Footlight Dramatic Society, while studying medicine at Emmanuel College, he founded his own cabaret show. When he was invited to join the Society, he did the same year that John Cleese joined.
- #006
- #007
At Cambridge in a Footlights Revue with John Cleese, Tim Brooke Taylor and Bill Oddie which led to the tv series At Last The 1948 show.
Production Story (1)
- #008
According to John Cleese, his writing partner before and during Monty Python, Cleese himself did most of the actual writing while Chapman sat back quietly smoking his pipe not saying anything for long periods of time before throwing out an idea that often changed the course of the script for the better. Case in point, Cleese's original idea for the dead parrot sketch was that of a man trying to return a broken toaster before Chapman suggested that it be changed to the man bringing back a dead parrot on the grounds that it was funnier.
Behind the Scenes (2)
- #009
While filming Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) in Tunisia, he put his medical knowledge to good use and opened a surgery for the cast and crew. He brought along and dispensed much-needed medication for things like dehydration, food poisoning and other Tunisian complaints.
- #010
Struggled with alcoholism, especially during the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). According to Terry Gilliam, Chapman constantly forgot his lines and was so drunk during filming that he couldn't make it across the Bridge of Death, so the assistant cameraman had to double for him. Additionally, Chapman was genuinely struggling with the rock climbing scene because of his alcohol struggle, which surprised the other Pythons since they had known him to be an excellent climber and wondered if his suit was interfering with his climbing.
Characters & Cast (1)
- #011
Was going to play the part of the reporter in Timeslides (1989), but died before filming could begin. The part instead went to Ruby Wax, the wife of one of the show's directors Ed Bye.
Career & Awards (5)
- #012
Co-wrote several episodes of Doctor in the House (1969) and its sequels with John Cleese.
- #013
Chapman published his memoirs, "A Liar's Autobiography", in 1980, choosing the title because he said "it's almost impossible to tell the truth".
- #014
Co-author (with Barry Cryer) of the play "O Happy Day," which was discovered among his manuscripts and produced nearly eleven years after Chapman's death. "O Happy Day" had its world premiere on September 22, 2000, at Dad's Garage Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. A portion of Chapman's ashes were in attendance for the premiere.
- #015
When at Cambridge he'd met John Cleese whom he shared a passion for comedy and the two began writing and performing skits together.
- #016
His last appearance on film in Iron Maiden's promo for "Can I Play With Madness" was directed by Python Editor, Julian Doyle.
Life & Family (6)
- #017
When he came out to his parents, his mother cried for a week. His father, however, was especially accepting, telling not to worry, and that "women don't understand this sort of thing".
- #018
Out of respect for Chapman's family, the five surviving members of his Monty Python comedy group decided not to attend his funeral, knowing that the British press would turn it into a media circus. They opted to hold their own memorial service a few months later instead, but they did send a wreath in the shape of the Python foot to the funeral, with the text "To Graham from the other Pythons with all our love. PS: Stop us if we're getting too silly.".
- #019
He and his longtime partner, TV writer David Sherlock, were among the co-writers of the British sitcom Doctor in Charge (1972). After Chapman's death, Sherlock contributed to The Pythons book. David was also the inspiration for many Monty Python sketches, including "Anne Elk" and was the originator of the Python sketch "Death of Mary Queen of Scots". David was one of several co-authors on "A Liar's Autobiography," the official Chapman memoir, and co-writer of the movie Yellowbeard (1983) in which Chapman played the title role.
- #020
Died of cancer on 4th October 1989, just one day before the 20th anniversary of Monty Python. Terry Jones called it "The worst case of party-pooping I've ever seen.".
- #021
For 30 years, he was identified as the 'dead one' of the Monty Python troupe. His title/distinction finally got changed when Terry Jones passed away on January 21, 2020. (Although Neil Innes, who was sometimes called the 'seventh python' passed away less than a month before Jones).
- #022
Was going to play the part of the reporter in Timeslides (1989), but died before filming could begin. The part instead went to Ruby Wax, the wife of one of the show's directors Ed Bye.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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