Eric Idle

Birth Place: South Shields, Durham, ENGLAND

Get Eric Idle Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Eric Idle BIO

Eric Idle is a British comedian, actor, writer, and musician who is best known for his work with the comedy group Monty Python. Born on March 29, 1943, in South Shields, England, Idle attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he became involved in the Cambridge Footlights, a student comedy troupe that has produced many famous comedians over the years.

After graduating from Cambridge, Idle worked as a writer and performer on various TV shows in the UK, including "The Frost Report" and "Do Not Adjust Your Set". In 1969, he co-created "Monty Python's Flying Circus" with fellow comedians Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The show, which ran for four seasons, was groundbreaking in its irreverent humor and surreal sketches, and it has since become a cult classic.

Idle was a key member of Monty Python, contributing to many of the group's most famous sketches and characters. He wrote and performed the "Nudge Nudge" sketch, in which he plays a lecherous man who keeps making suggestive comments to a straight-laced customer at a pub. He also played a variety of memorable characters, including the cowardly Sir Robin in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and the hapless Mr. Cheeky in "Monty Python's Life of Brian".

In addition to his work with Monty Python, Idle has had a successful career as a writer and performer in his own right. He wrote and starred in the 1978 film "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash", a mockumentary about a Beatles-like band that has since become a cult classic. He also wrote the book and lyrics for the Tony Award-winning musical "Spamalot", which is based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". The show premiered on Broadway in 2005 and has since been performed all over the world.

Idle has also appeared in a number of films and TV shows outside of Monty Python. He had a small role in the classic comedy "National Lampoon's Animal House" and played a talking skull in the Disney film "The Black Cauldron". He has also appeared on TV shows like "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy".

In addition to his work in comedy, Idle is also a talented musician. He wrote and performed many of the songs in "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and the group's films, including "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from "Monty Python's Life of Brian", which has become a beloved anthem of sorts. He has also released several solo albums, including "Eric Idle Sings Monty Python" and "The Rutland Dirty Weekend Book".

Idle has also had a successful career on stage, both in the UK and on Broadway. He made his West End debut in 1963 in the musical "One Over the Eight", and he has since appeared in productions of "The Mikado", "The Pirates of Penzance", and "The Wind in the Willows". He made his Broadway debut in 2004 in the play "Monty Python's Spamalot", and he has since appeared in productions of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and "Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)", a oratorio based on "Monty Python's Life of Brian".

Idle has been honored for his contributions to comedy and entertainment over the years. In 1999, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to entertainment, and in 2016, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also been recognized by his peers, receiving a BAFTA Award for his writing on "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and a Tony Award for "Spamalot".

Despite his many accomplishments, Idle remains humble and grateful for his success. In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, he said, "I'm just a bloke who's been lucky enough to do some funny things and make some people laugh. That's all I ever wanted to do."

Eric Idle Photos

Eric Idle STAGE CREDITS

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2015
The Historian

[West End]
2012
God

Eric Idle Productions

 
[West End, 0]
Book, Music, and Lyrics
 
[West End, 2006] [Replacement]
Book/Music/Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2005] [Replacement]
Book, Lyrics and Music[Replacement]

Writing

Conceiver
Conceiver
Source Material
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist

Eric Idle Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lyrics

Eric Idle, Monty Python’s Spamalot

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Book of a Musical

Eric Idle, Monty Python's Spamalot

Eric Idle Videos

Eric Idle News


SPAMALOT To Close On Broadway This April

The Broadway revival Monty Python's SPAMALOT will conclude its noble quest when it plays its final performance on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

Photo: SPAMALOT Celebrates 100 Performances on Broadway

Over the weekend, the cast of SPAMALOT celebrated their 100th performance on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. Check out a photo from the celebration

Jonathan Bennett Shares Video Telling Husband He Booked Spamalot on Broadway

Original MEAN GIRL's cast member and current Knight at the Round Table, @SpamalotBway's Jonathan Bennett, shared a touching video of when he broke the news of his Broadway debut with his husband Jaymes.

Soho Theatre & Stuart Ross Management Present PUDDLES PITY PARTY

Puddles Pity Party, the seven-foot sad clown with a golden voice, returns to Soho Theatre this spring for one week only.

Aspire to Present Monty Python's SPAMALOT in February

Aspire will present Monty Python's Spamalot at the Midge & Pepper Smock Family Theatre at the Kroc this February. Learn more about the production here!

SF SKETCHFEST Continues In San Francisco Shows & Livestream Events Through February 4

After kicking off its 21st comedy festival last week with legend Eric Idle, followed by dozens of shows through the week, SF Sketchfest continues its multi-day comedy festival with more shows and live-stream events through Februrary 4.

Interview: Jonathan Bennett on His SPAMALOT Broadway Debut: 'I've Dreamt About This Moment'

Jonathan Bennett is currently appearing as Sir Robin in Spamalot, joining an all-star Broadway cast with James Monroe Iglehart, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Ethan Slater, and more. BroadwayWorld sat down with Bennett to discuss his lifelong Broadway dreams, how Spamalot is similar to Mean Girls, working with the cast of the new revival, and more.

SF SKETCHFEST ​​​​​​​Kicks Off Tonight In San Francisco

SF SKETCHFEST is kicking off tonight in San Francisco! With 18 days, 17 venues, and over 200 shows featuring 600+ artists, this event is not to be missed.

SPAMALOT on Broadway- A Complete Guide

Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Spamalot on Broadway. Check out all the details here!

PEAK Performances to Present Opera-in-Concert Performances of BLIND INJUSTICE

PEAK Performances at Montclair State University is producing two opera-in-concert performances of Blind Injustice, composed by Montclair State University College of the Arts faculty member Scott Davenport Richards (A Star Across the Ocean, Charlie Crosses the Nation) with a libretto by David Cote (Three Way, The Scarlet Ibis).

SF SKETCHFEST Kicks Off Next Week With Eric Idle, 200+ Shows January 18 - February 4

SF Sketchfest kicks off its 21st comedy festival with legend Eric Idle at the Castro Theatre on Thursday, January 18 followed by over 200 shows taking place through February 4 in venues across San Francisco.

Photos: Alex Brightman Takes First Bows in SPAMALOT on Broadway

Alex Brightman made his triumphant return to the court of Camelot as Sir Lancelot in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT. Check out photos from the big night!

Ethan Slater Will Be Out of SPAMALOT Until January 21

Ethan Slater, who currently stars as Historian/Herbert in Spamalot on Broadway, has revealed that he will be out of the show for upcoming performances in January. Slater shared on Instagram that he will return on January 21.

Jonathan Bennett to Make Broadway Debut in SPAMALOT in January; Michael Urie to Depart

Get the scoop on MEAN GIRL's Jonathan Bennett who is set to join SPAMALOT on Broadway in January 2024.

LUCHA VAVOOM DE LA LIZ Announces Two-Night Valentine's Engagement at The Mayan Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles

Lucha VaVoom de La Liz announces Valentine's engagement in Los Angeles on Feb. 14-15.

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL Returns to Movie Theaters This Weekend

Monty Python and The Holy Grail, the film that inspired the hit Broadway musical Spamalot, is returning to movie theaters this weekend. Select theatre locations will also be offering a Quote-A-long version of the film for audiences to experience the joy in sharing together, as you quote your favorite lines with the characters.

Photos: Stars Arrive at Opening Night of SPAMALOT!

See photos of stars Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Vanessa Williams, Victor Garber, Cobie Smulders, and more as they arrive at Spamalot opening night here!

Photos: Get a Look at SPAMALOT Opening Night Bows!

See photos of the opening night curtain call at Spamalot on Broadway here!

Photos: On the Red Carpet at SPAMALOT Opening Night

Check out photos from the opening night red carpet of Spamalot!

SF Sketchfest Unveils Lineup for 2024 Comedy Festival Featuring More Than 200 Shows

SF Sketchfest has revealed the initial lineup for the 2024 Comedy Festival in San Francisco. Tickets go on sale on November 19.

Eric Idle FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Eric Idle has not appeared on Broadway.

Eric Idle has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

Eric Idle's first West End show was Spamalot which opened in 2012

Eric Idle has been nominated for the following awards: - Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Monty Python’s Spamalot - Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot

Eric Idle won the Outstanding Lyrics award at the Drama Desk Awards for Monty Python’s Spamalot.

Eric Idle has written 2 shows including Seussical (Conceiver), Monty Python's Spamalot (Source Material).

Get Eric Idle Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos