ACTOR · BORN 1941 · DIED 1989
Graham Chapman
- Born
- 8 January 1941
- Died
- 4 October 1989
29 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
22 Interesting Facts About Graham Chapman
- #001
Graham Chapman died of cancer on 4 October 1989, just one day before Monty Python's 20th anniversary. Terry Jones called it "The worst case of party-pooping I've ever seen."
- #002
Chapman struggled with alcoholism, particularly 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 the shoot that he could not cross the Bridge of Death, so an assistant cameraman had to double for him. Chapman also genuinely struggled with the rock-climbing scene because of his battle with alcohol, which surprised the other Pythons, who knew him as an excellent climber and wondered whether his costume was hindering his climb.
- #004
Chapman qualified as a medical doctor at St Bartholomew's Hospital.
- #005
While filming Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) in Tunisia, Chapman put his medical knowledge to good use and set up a surgery for the cast and crew. He brought and distributed much-needed medicines for conditions such as dehydration, food poisoning and other Tunisian complaints.
- #006
Although he earned his doctorate and licence, Chapman practised medicine for only a few years before turning to comedy.
- #007
The five surviving members of the Monty Python comedy group decided not to attend Chapman's funeral out of respect for his family, knowing the British press would turn it into a media circus. Instead they chose to hold their own memorial a few months later, but they sent a wreath in the shape of a Python foot bearing the words "To Graham from the other Pythons with all our love. PS: Stop us if we're getting too silly."
- #008
In 1980 Chapman published his memoir as "A Liar's Autobiography," a title he chose because, as he said, "it's almost impossible to tell the truth."
- #009
Chapman is the only member of Monty Python's Flying Circus who never worked on one of Terry Gilliam's projects outside Python.
- #010
His Python colleague John Cleese noted the amount of material released since 1989 despite Graham being dead (mostly as a co-writer or through reused pre-recorded material), describing him as one of the most prolific dead people in history.
- #011
Chapman was the long-time companion (for 24 years) of David Sherlock. The two raised a son together named John Tomiczak.
- #014
Chapman was the co-writer (with Barry Cryer) of the play "O Happy Day," discovered among his manuscripts and produced about eleven years after his death. "O Happy Day" had its world premiere on 22 September 2000 at Dad's Garage Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of Chapman's ashes attended the gala.
- #017
Chapman's final film appearance, in Iron Maiden's promo for "Can I Play With Madness," was directed by Python editor Julian Doyle.
- #019
While at Cambridge University, Chapman was a member of the prestigious Cambridge University Footlights Club. In 1964 he went to the United States with the Cambridge University Footlights Club revue, performing on Broadway and on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
- #021
Graham Chapman co-wrote several episodes of Doctor in the House (1969) and its sequels with John Cleese.
- #022
Graham Chapman was to play the reporter in Timeslides (1989), but he died before filming could begin. The role instead went to Ruby Wax, the wife of one of the series' directors, Ed Bye.
- #023
Graham Chapman was the second-tallest member of Monty Python; he was an inch taller than Eric Idle and a little more than five inches shorter than John Cleese.
- #024
Before joining the Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Society, Graham Chapman set up his own cabaret show while studying medicine at Emmanuel College. When he was invited to join the society, he did so in the same year John Cleese joined.
- #025
Graham Chapman was asked to play the miniature role of Asylum director Dr. Armstrong in Lifeforce (1985).
- #026
Graham Chapman was a member of Monty Python, along with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam.
- #027
Graham Chapman's parents were Walter and Edith.
- #028
At Cambridge, Graham Chapman appeared in the Footlights Revue alongside John Cleese, Tim Brooke Taylor and Bill Oddie; the revue was a precursor to At Last The 1948 Show.
- #029
Graham Chapman was a member of the comedy group 'Monty Python'.
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