(What you really should do is buy the Pythons' Autobiography!)
Michael Edward Palin was born on May 5, 1943, and again, two weeks later. (Bloody plagiarism!) His father was an engineer, and his mother wasn't. He had a beautiful older sister, Angela. Signs of an ominous future came early, when he played Martha in a school production of "Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol" and fell off the stage.
He attended Brasenose College, Oxford, received a Degree in Modern History, met Terry Jones, and of course from there all hell broke loose.
As a young man he appeared in several theatre productions, mainly in comedies, but also more serious works, such as an anti-capital punishment play called "Hang Your Head Down and Die." No, really, that's the title, there's no punchline or anything...
In April 1966 he broke many hearts - some of whom weren't even born yet - when he married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Gibbins. In the same year he wrote with Terry Jones for various BBC comedy shows.
In May 1969 he joined up with Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Terry Jones for the first series of Monty Python's Flying Circus. It might be difficult, but with a good search engine you may be able to find a website or two about the Pythons.
He has written, directed and starred in numerous successful films and television series, including the Monty Python films, Time Bandits, The Missionary, and an award-wining performance as the hapless Ken in A Fish Called Wanda.
Michael's first stage play, "The Weekend," opened on March 15, 1994. His first novel, "Hemingway's Chair," was published in April 1995.
Michael is involved in Transport 2000, an environmental lobby group aiming to improve transport in Great Britain. He has lent his time and name to The Michael Palin Centre, part of The British Stammering Assoc.. He is also a supporter of Oxfam, and of course, Amnesty International.
Today Michael lives in North London with his family, hoping we don't find him.
