Born in England, Carol moved to the United States as a youngster after her mother remarried a man in the U.S. Air Force. She attended grammar school in San Antonio, Texas, then John Marshall Junior High and Pasadena High School both in Pasadena, California. She returned to London in 1960 and soon began her film career.
Pasadena High School, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Nationality
British
Spouse
Peter Brett (m. 1971–1983)
Parents
Pat Cleveland
Movies
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Life of Brian, And Now for Something Completely Different, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, A Liar's Autobiography - The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman, Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy...
TV Shows
Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Lotus Eaters
Star Sign
Capricorn
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Quote
1
Eric Idle seemed the most organised and business-like of the group and I imagined that, if there was any chaos, he'd be the one to sort it out. He was certainly the monologue king! I've always had tremendous admiration for the way he could recite streams of text without faltering or even drawing breath! His female characters were a delight too. Whereas the others played rather blousy and vulgar ladies, his were always very posh and prim. Mind you, I always felt there was a slight primness about Eric too. Eric was a nice chap, but he was the only one that I never felt completely at ease with, as he was always a little bit distant. This might possibly have had something to do with the fact that he distanced himself from the others by writing on his own. He was friendly enough and we worked well together, but he was the only one I didn't feel I could sit down and have an intimate conversation with... nor have I ever done so.
2
Terry Jones was Welsh (and still is), jolly and excitable, and seemed to be always wearing his favourite black leather jacket. I did wonder if he slept in it too. I think Terry J was the most emotional of them all. He would get visibly upset or annoyed about something, whereas the others were better at containing that and he was a bit argumentative. Being quite emotional myself, I felt an empathy with him and found him very easy to communicate with.
3
I liked Terry (Gilliam) a lot because he was a bit loopy, always smiling, and because he was a straight talker. I didn't feel I had to be careful about what I said around him and if I had a concern about anything he'd usually be the one I'd talk to about it.
4
Graham (Chapman) was a lovely kind man with a big heart, but it took me a while to feel totally relaxed with him, not just because of his overt homosexuality, but mainly because of his heavy drinking that could be quite worrying at times. Graham did everything to excess. I would never have a drink myself before a show on recording day and I don't think the other boys did either.... except for Graham. Graham would have not just one but several drinks in the BBC bar prior to going downstairs to record the show in front of a live audience. I was astounded that he was able to do this. There was a set, limited time for the recording and not much allowance for re-takes, but we'd often have to do a scene several times because Graham was quite tipsy. On one occasion we had to do up to something like twenty takes because he was slurring his words so badly. I was always surprised that he was allowed to get away with it. Such was the power of Python!
5
[on first meeting the Monty Python members] They all welcomed me with open arms and immediately put my fears to rest. John was rather flirty; Michael (Palin) seemed rather shy; Terry Jones was very jolly; Eric (Idle) was a tiny bit aloof; Graham (Chapman) was very polite and Terry Gilliam was very loud and a bit manic. I felt an immediate rapport with him, as we were both Americans.
6
And then there was Michael (Palin). Michael is the one who hasn't changed at all. I thought he was - and still is - the cutest of the bunch. He was not only nice-looking but charming too. He was good-tempered, easy-going, sincere and a little bit on the shy side... which was rather endearing.
7
As the first series progressed I found it was John (Cleese) who I got on best with and who made me laugh the most. I thought he was quite attractive and there was something about him that reminded me of the comedian Jerry Lewis - who I'd been a great fan of as a teenager - especially when he did his silly walk. Here was this intellectual who could pull some very funny faces and do very strange things with his body. He would also giggle like a girl sometimes! I think he was the most logical, a bit moody and certainly complex. He was the one who would change the most during the course of Python.
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Fact
1
On the list of possibles for the role of Kate (Sheena Marshe) in Doctor Who: The Gunfighters.
2
Before her Python fame, Carol appeared in advertisements for Triumph motorcycles for 1971, in particular, the aborted Triumph 350cc Bandit model.
3
Concert for George drummer Jim Keltner attended Pasadena High School with her.
4
On November 29, 2003, she appeared on stage at The Royal Albert Hall for a tribute concert for late Beatle George Harrison with many of the Python members.
5
A character actress on stage, she has performed in such plays as "The Front Page," while also playing stripper Honey Bruce in a production of "Lenny."
6
Once referred to as "The Female Python," she cited John Cleese as her favorite performer to work with in the group due to his easy, relaxed nature and style.
7
She typically played in the Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) sketches when a beautiful woman was called for - as opposed to the typical female role which had the male members in drag.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Rizen 2
2017
post-production
The Ancient One
Passing
Short post-production
Catherine
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
Spanish Señorita
Virgin Mary
Best Girl
...
Laundered
2014
Short
Toast of London
2013
TV Series
Brooke Hooberman
The Search for Simon
2013
Irene Jones
The Sweeter Side of Life
2013
TV Movie
Edna
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
$250,000
