Graham Chapman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Graham Chapman
Born	(1941-01-08)8 January 1941 Leicester, England
Died	4 October 1989(1989-10-04) (aged 48) Maidstone, England
Resting place	Ashes given to family or friends
Other names	Gray Chapman
Alma mater	Emmanuel College, Cambridge St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College
Occupation	Actor comedian writer
Years active	1960–1989
Known for	One of six members of Monty Python
Partner(s)	David Sherlock (1966–1989)

Graham Chapman (born 8 January 1941 – died 4 October 1989) was a British actor, comedian, and writer. He was a key member of the famous comedy group Monty Python. Chapman was known for playing serious characters, like The Colonel. He also starred in two popular Monty Python movies: Holy Grail (1975) and Life of Brian (1979).

Graham Chapman grew up in Melton Mowbray, England. He loved science, acting, and comedy. Even though he studied medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, he chose to become a comedian instead of a doctor. He teamed up with John Cleese to write comedy, and their work became very successful with Monty Python in the 1970s. Chapman later moved to Los Angeles for a while. He worked on American TV and made a pirate movie called Yellowbeard (1983). He returned to Britain in the early 1980s.

Chapman was a supporter of fairness for all people. He lived with David Sherlock and their adopted son, John Tomiczek. In his later years, he became interested in extreme sports, like bungee jumping. Graham Chapman passed away in 1989 from cancer. His friends and fellow Monty Python members remembered him fondly at a special service.

Early Life and Education

A blue plaque at Melton Mowbray Grammar School, where Chapman studied.

Graham Chapman was born on 8 January 1941 in Leicester, England. His father, Walter Chapman, was a police officer. His mother was Edith Towers. Graham had an older brother named John, who was born in 1936. Graham and John said they had a simple upbringing.

Chapman went to Melton Mowbray Grammar School. He was very good at science, sports, and acting in school plays. A local newspaper even praised his acting in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Graham and his brother enjoyed listening to radio comedy shows, especially The Goon Show.

In 1959, Chapman started studying medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He joined the Cambridge Footlights, a famous comedy group, where he met John Cleese. After graduating, Chapman toured New Zealand with the Footlights show Cambridge Circus. He then continued his medical studies at St Bartholomew's Medical College. However, he found himself wanting to be a performer more than a doctor. His brother John later said that Graham was not really set on a medical career.

Comedy Career

Before Monty Python

After their success with the Footlights, Chapman and Cleese started writing comedy for the BBC. They wrote for famous comedians like David Frost and Marty Feldman. Chapman also wrote sketches for radio shows like I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again. He worked on his own and with other writers like Bill Oddie.

Chapman, Cleese, and Tim Brooke-Taylor later joined Feldman in a TV comedy series called At Last the 1948 Show. This was Chapman's first big role as a performer. He was good at playing serious characters with a straight face. He also showed a talent for imitating different British accents.

Even with this success, Chapman was still thinking about being a doctor. He finished his medical studies and became a registered doctor. Chapman and Cleese also wrote for the TV series Doctor in the House. They appeared in a TV special called How to Irritate People. One of their sketches from this show later inspired the famous Dead Parrot sketch.

Joining Monty Python

In 1969, Chapman and Cleese joined Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam. Together, they created the sketch comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus. Chapman and Cleese usually worked together on writing. Chapman liked to remove the usual endings from sketches. He created the character The Colonel, who would stop sketches by saying they were "too silly."

Chapman often stopped Monty Python's Flying Circus sketches as The Colonel, saying they were "too silly."

John Cleese later said that Chapman's main contribution was his amazing ideas. The other Pythons agreed that Chapman had a great sense of what was funny. Terry Gilliam remembered that Graham would often "push it into something extraordinary." The show became very popular. Chapman was often late for rehearsals, so the other Pythons jokingly called him "the late Graham Chapman."

For the "Dead Parrot sketch," Chapman suggested making it "madder." He changed a broken toaster into a dead Norwegian Blue parrot. Cleese was worried that the Cheese Shop sketch wasn't funny because it was just a man listing cheeses. But Chapman told him to "Trust me, it's funny." When they read it to the group, everyone, especially Michael Palin, found it hilarious. The group felt that Chapman was their best actor.

Chapman played the main characters in two Monty Python films. He was King Arthur in Holy Grail and Brian in Life of Brian. He was chosen for these roles because the group respected his acting skills. Also, the other members wanted to play smaller, funnier parts.

Other Projects

In 1975, Chapman and Douglas Adams wrote a TV pilot called Out of the Trees. However, it was not very successful. In 1978, Chapman co-wrote and starred in the comedy film The Odd Job. He played Arthur Harris. The film did reasonably well. Chapman also appeared as a guest on several TV shows.

Chapman started writing a pirate film called Yellowbeard (1983) in 1976. He wanted his friend Keith Moon to play a role, but Moon passed away in 1978. The film was later rewritten and starred Chapman as Captain Yellowbeard. Other Pythons like Cleese and Idle also appeared in it. The movie had some financial problems and received mixed reviews.

In 1980, Chapman published his book of memories, A Liar's Autobiography. He said he chose the title because "it's almost impossible to tell the truth." After Yellowbeard, he moved back to Britain for good. He became involved with the Dangerous Sports Club, which helped make bungee jumping popular.

After reuniting with the other Pythons for the film The Meaning of Life (1983), Chapman went on many tours to US colleges. He talked about Monty Python, the Dangerous Sports Club, and his friends. In 1988, he appeared in the Iron Maiden music video "Can I Play with Madness". He also starred in a pilot for a TV series called Jake's Journey, but a full series was not made.

In 1988, Chapman appeared on stage with three other Pythons at the 41st British Academy Film Awards. Monty Python received an award for their great contribution to British cinema. Chapman's last TV appearance with the other Pythons was in November 1989. It was a special show for the 20th anniversary of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Personal Life

Chapman lived in this house in Highgate with David Sherlock during the 1970s.

Graham Chapman met David Sherlock in 1966. They lived together in Belsize Park starting in 1968. Later, after Monty Python became famous, they moved to a house in Highgate, North London.

In 1971, Chapman and Sherlock adopted John Tomiczek as their son. John was a teenager from Liverpool. After talking with John's father, Chapman became John's legal guardian. Both David Sherlock and John Tomiczek were important people in Chapman's life. John Tomiczek later became Chapman's business manager. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 35.

During the 1970s, Chapman moved to Los Angeles for a time. In the mid-1980s, he returned to the UK. He moved to Maidstone, Kent, with David Sherlock and John Tomiczek.

Illness and Passing

In 1988, during a regular visit to the dentist, a small tumor was found on one of Chapman's tonsils. Both tonsils were removed. The next year, the cancer had spread to his spinal column, and another tumor was removed. Chapman had several treatments and surgeries in his final months. However, the cancer could not be stopped. His brother said that Chapman was very sad when their mother passed away that July. Shortly after, Chapman filmed scenes for the 20th anniversary of Monty Python. This was his last time on television.

Graham Chapman passed away on 4 October 1989 in Maidstone Hospital. He was 48 years old. At the time, David Sherlock, his brother John, and fellow Pythons Michael Palin and John Cleese were with him. Chapman's death happened just before the 20th anniversary of Monty Python's first TV show.

Memorial Service

The five surviving Monty Python members decided not to attend Chapman's private funeral. They wanted his family to have privacy. They sent a wreath shaped like the famous Python foot. It had a message: "To Graham from the other Pythons with all our love. PS: Stop us if we're getting too silly."

A public memorial service for Chapman was held on 3 December. It started with a funny version of the hymn "Jerusalem." John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Eric Idle gave speeches. Eric Idle then led the other Pythons and Chapman's friends in singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." This song is from the movie Life of Brian.

Years after Chapman's passing, there were rumors about what happened to his ashes. Some said they were "blasted into the skies in a rocket." Others said they were scattered in the mountains of Snowdonia, Wales, where he used to go climbing.

Legacy and Remembrance

An asteroid, 9617 Grahamchapman, was named in Chapman's honor. It is one of six asteroids named after the Monty Python members.

In 1997, a book called Graham Crackers: Fuzzy Memories, Silly Bits, and Outright Lies was released. It was a follow-up to Chapman's own book. In 2005, another collection of his writings was published. In 2000, Chapman's play O Happy Day was performed in Atlanta, Georgia.

A blue plaque has been placed at The Angel, Highgate, to remember Chapman.

In 2011, it was announced that a 3D animated film would be made based on Chapman's book, A Liar's Autobiography. The film, called A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman, was shown at film festivals in 2012. It used Chapman's own voice from recordings he made before he passed away. The voices of Cleese, Gilliam, Jones, and Palin were also added.

In September 2012, a special blue plaque was placed at The Angel pub in Highgate to remember Chapman. Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and other friends were there.

In December 2014, a green plaque was placed on Chapman's former home in Melton Mowbray. A year later, a blue plaque at his old school was reported missing but was found inside the building. In March 2017, this plaque was moved to Melton Mowbray town center.

Filmography

Images for kids

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  A black-and-white photo of Chapman with a pipe

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  A blue plaque at Melton Mowbray Grammar School, which Chapman attended

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  Chapman ended several Monty Python's Flying Circus sketches mid-flow dressed as The Colonel, complaining they were "too silly".

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  Chapman lived in this house in Highgate with his partner David Sherlock during the 1970s.

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  A blue plaque has been placed at The Angel, Highgate, in commemoration of Chapman.

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  A blue plaque has been placed at The Angel, Highgate, in commemoration of Chapman.

See also

In Spanish: Graham Chapman para niños