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Eric Idle

Birth Place: South Shields, Durham, ENGLAND

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 has also appeared on TV shows like "The Simpsons".
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".
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."

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2015
The Historian


[West End]
2012
God


Productions

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

Writing

Conceiver
Conceiver
Source Material
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations


winner
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

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Eric Idle, Monty Python's Spamalot

Videos

News


Tickets for SPAMALOT at Marcus Performing Arts Center Available Friday
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2026

The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) announced today that single tickets for the North American Tour of SPAMALOT, the outrageous and irreverent award-winning Broadway hit musical comedy, will go on sale Friday, February 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Interview: Wendy Orshan & Jeffrey M. Wilson Unpack Their 30 Years of Broadway Shows
by Robert Diamond - Jan 17, 2026

In this second part of our in-depth conversation (read Part 1), Jeffrey and Wendy look back on their over three decade career on Broadway and shares stories about some of their favorite shows. 
Photos: TO LIFE 6 Opens at Willow Theatre, Celebrating Jewish Contributions to Arts
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 16, 2026

Check out photos from To Life 6: Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers, Artists, and Comedians to Broadway & Hollywood. The production will open tomorrow evening, January 16th, at the Willow Theatre.
Photos/Video: New Look At SPAMALOT National Tour
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 16, 2026

New photos and video highlights have been released for the North American tour of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT. 
SPAMALOT is Coming to BroadwaySF's Golden Gate Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 12, 2026

BroadwaySF will present the acclaimed musical SPAMALOT at the Golden Gate Theatre, offering a fresh take on the Arthurian legend with humor and spectacle. This production promises to captivate fans of musical theater with its witty script and vibrant staging.
SPAMALOT Comes to The 5th Avenue Theatre This February
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2026

The 5th Avenue Theatre Company has announced Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the outrageously hilarious, Tony Award-winning musical comedy that lovingly celebrates the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
SPAMALOT, THE NOTEBOOK, And Bernadette Peters Lead The Smith Center’s January" April 2026 Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 7, 2026

The Smith Center has announced its early 2026 performance calendar, featuring Broadway tours, concerts, dance, and family programming across multiple venues.
CM Performing Arts Center Unveils Cast For MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 6, 2026

CM Performing Arts Center has announced the cast for its upcoming production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, which will run from February 14 through March 1.
StageTime Theatre School To Present SEUSSICAL JR.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 3, 2026

StageTime Theatre School will present SEUSSICAL JR., a musical set in the world of Dr. Seuss. The production is directed by Ella Voltz and produced by Janet McLaughlin. Seussical Jr. was co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Eric Idle, with music by Flaherty and lyrics by Ahrens. The music was supervised, adapted, and produced by Bryan Louiselle.
MONTY PYTHON'S EDUKATIONAL SHOW Comes to Trinity Theatre Company 
by Stephi Wild - Jan 2, 2026

Trinity Theatre Company has announced their Grown Up Stage’s production of Monty Python’s Edukational Show written by Monty Python -  Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
Review: MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater
by Alexander C. Kafka - Dec 19, 2025

This diverting if uneven revival of the 2004-5 Broadway hit is an amusing distraction from the tense politics playing out at the venue.
Review Roundup: SPAMALOT Embarks on North American Tour
by Stephi Wild - Dec 17, 2025

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical Comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is now on its North American Tour. Read the reviews and learn more about the show here!
Review: SPAMALOT at Connor Palace
by Roy Berko - Dec 5, 2025

SPAMALOT, also known at MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT: A MUSICAL (LOVINGLY) RIPPED OFF FROM THE MOTION PICTURE MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, is settled in at the Connor Palace for a short run (December 1-6).
TO LIFE 6 Will Run at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025

To Life 6: Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers, Artists, and Comedians to Broadway & Hollywood will open in Boca Raton’s Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park.
“Weird Al” Yankovic To Make His Tanglewood Debut In July 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 18, 2025

“Weird Al” Yankovic will perform at Tanglewood for the first time on July 21, 2026, as part of the venue’s Popular Artist Series. The concert brings his full-production “BIGGER & WEIRDER” tour to the Koussevitzky Music Shed, with Puddles Pity Party appearing as special guest.
Major Attaway and More Will Lead MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT North American Tour
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 31, 2025

Full casting has been announced for the North American tour of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT. The production will launch at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, beginning performances Monday, December 1.
HELL'S KITCHEN, THE NOTEBOOK And More On Sale This Week At Smith Center
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2025

The Smith Center will open ticket sales for the final four productions of its 2025–2026 Toyota Broadway Las Vegas Series on October 24 at 10 a.m. The lineup includes Spamalot, The Notebook, Shucked, and Hell’s Kitchen.
Video: SEUSSICAL Original Broadway Cast Reunites For 54 Below Concert Rehearsals
by Michael Major - Oct 20, 2025

Members of the original cast of Seussical, the Musical will celebrate its 25th Anniversary at 54 Below tonight! Ahead of the 54 Below reunion concert, watch videos from rehearsals, including'Alone in the Universe,' 'Notice Me Horton,' and more.
SEUSSICAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT and More Set for 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Andew Keenan-Bolger, Ann Harada and more. Learn more!
SPAMALOT Cast Recording Receives First-Ever Vinyl Release Featuring Cut Song
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 10, 2025

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning hit musical Monty Python’s Spamalot, the first-ever vinyl release of the original Broadway cast recording will be released featuring the never-before-released track, “The Cow Song.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Eric Idle been in?

Eric Idle has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Eric Idle been in?

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

What was Eric Idle's first West End show?

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

What awards has Eric Idle been nominated for?

Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Monty Python’s Spamalot, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Monty Python's Spamalot.

What awards has Eric Idle won?

Eric Idle won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for Monty Python’s Spamalot.

How many shows has Eric Idle written?

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

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