Michael Palin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Michael Palin KCMG CBE FRGS FRSGS FRSL
Palin in 2018 at the National Churches Trust Carol Concert
Born	Michael Edward Palin (1943-05-05) 5 May 1943 (age 82) Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Education	Shrewsbury School, Shropshire
Alma mater	Brasenose College, University of Oxford (BA)
Occupation	Actor comedian writer television presenter
Years active	1965–present
Known for	Monty Python Travel documentary
Spouse(s)	Helen Gibbins ​ ​ (m. 1966; died 2023)​
Children	3

Sir Michael Edward Palin (born 5 May 1943) is a famous English actor, comedian, writer, and TV presenter. He was a key member of the hilarious Monty Python comedy group. Michael Palin received a special award called the BAFTA Fellowship in 2013. He was also made a knight by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. This means he can use "Sir" before his name!

Palin started his TV career working on shows like The Frost Report. He joined Monty Python's Flying Circus in 1969. He worked with other comedy legends like John Cleese and Eric Idle. He starred in many famous Python sketches. These include the "Dead Parrot sketch" and "The Spanish Inquisition". After Monty Python, he continued to write and act. He also became well-known for his amazing travel documentaries.

Early Life and School Days

Michael Palin was born in Sheffield, England. His father was an engineer. Michael had an older sister named Angela. He was interested in acting from a young age. When he was five, he acted in a school play of A Christmas Carol.

At age 10, Michael was still keen on acting. He even performed a comedy monologue for his mother. After finishing school, he studied history at Brasenose College, Oxford. There, he started writing comedy with his friend Robert Hewison. Another student, Terry Jones, saw them perform. Soon, Palin and Jones began writing comedy together.

Michael Palin's Career

Starting in TV

After college in 1965, Michael Palin became a presenter on a pop music show. He also teamed up with Terry Jones to write comedy. They wrote for many BBC shows. They even worked on The Frost Report. This show was special because it was the first time many future Monty Python members worked together.

Palin and Jones also wrote and acted in shows like Do Not Adjust Your Set. This children's comedy show was very popular. It also featured animations by Terry Gilliam, who would later join Monty Python.

Becoming a Monty Python Star

Palin in "The Spanish Inquisition" sketch at the 2014 reunion, Monty Python Live (Mostly)

The BBC offered John Cleese and Graham Chapman their own show. But Cleese wanted to work with Michael Palin. So, Palin brought along his friends Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam. This is how the famous Monty Python group was formed! Their show, Monty Python's Flying Circus, started in 1969.

In Monty Python, Palin played many different characters. He could be super excited, like the lumberjack in "The Lumberjack Song". Or he could be very calm, like the person selling a "dead parrot". He often played characters who were quiet or a bit awkward. He was also the "It's" man at the start of most episodes. This character was a bit like Robinson Crusoe.

Palin often wrote sketches with Terry Jones. They created the "Spanish Inquisition sketch". This sketch is famous for the line, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" They also wrote songs like "The Lumberjack Song" and "Spam".

Films and Other Shows

After the Monty Python TV series ended in 1974, Palin and Jones worked on Ripping Yarns. This was a funny TV series that ran for three years. Michael Palin also starred in several films. He was in Jabberwocky (1977) and Time Bandits (1981).

He wrote and starred in The Missionary (1982) with Maggie Smith. He also appeared in the comedy film A Fish Called Wanda (1988). For his role in this film, he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He later reunited with the cast for Fierce Creatures (1997). More recently, he played a role in the movie The Death of Stalin (2017).

Palin has also acted in serious dramas. In 1991, he wrote and starred in American Friends. He also played a headmaster in the TV drama GBH. In 1994, he narrated the audiobook of Esio Trot by Roald Dahl.

Amazing Travel Documentaries

Michael Palin at Cadogan Hall in 2022

Since 1980, Michael Palin has become very famous for his travel documentaries. He has traveled all over the world for the BBC. His journeys have taken him to incredible places. These include the North Pole and South Pole, the Sahara desert, and the Himalayas.

Here are some of his most famous travel shows:

• Around the World in 80 Days with Michael Palin (1989): He tried to follow the famous Jules Verne story without using planes.
• Pole to Pole with Michael Palin (1992): He traveled from the North Pole to the South Pole.
• Full Circle with Michael Palin (1997): He traveled around the Pacific Ocean.
• Sahara with Michael Palin (2002): He explored the world's largest desert.
• Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004): He journeyed through the amazing Himalaya mountains.
• Brazil with Michael Palin (2012): He explored the country of Brazil.
• Michael Palin in North Korea (2018): He visited the very isolated country of North Korea.
• Michael Palin: Into Iraq (2022): He traveled through Iraq.
• Michael Palin in Nigeria (2024): He visited Nigeria.

After each trip, Palin writes a book about his adventures. These books share more details and photos from his travels. His travel shows have even created a "Palin effect." This means that places he visits often become popular tourist spots! For example, many more tourists became interested in Peru after he visited Machu Picchu.

Art and History Shows

Michael Palin has also made documentaries about artists and history. He looked at the work of Scottish painters in Palin on Redpath (1997) and The Bright Side of Life (2000). He also explored European painters in shows like Michael Palin and the Ladies Who Loved Matisse (2004). In 2013, he made a show about American painter Andrew Wyeth.

In 2008, he presented a First World War documentary. It was called Last Day of World War One. It looked at the thousands of soldiers who died on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918, even after the war had officially ended.

Personal Life

In 1966, Michael Palin married Helen Gibbins. They met when they were teenagers. Their marriage lasted for 57 years until Helen passed away in 2023.

Palin has three grown-up children: Thomas, William, and Rachel. He also has four grandchildren. His daughter Rachel is a TV director. His son William works to preserve old buildings. Michael Palin describes his religious belief as "agnostic with doubts." He has lived in London since the 1960s.

Palin is a big fan of the football club Sheffield Wednesday. He once famously cheered for them while filming in Venice!

Helping Others

Michael Palin is involved in many good causes. He has supported campaigns for better and more environmentally friendly transport. He has been the president of the Campaign for Better Transport since 1986.

He also supports the Dongria Kondh tribe in India. They are trying to protect their land from mining companies. Palin visited them and spoke out to help them.

Palin is also a Vice President of the National Churches Trust. He is a co-founder of The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering. This center helps children who stammer. Palin's own father stammered, so he understands how important this support is.

Film and TV Roles

Film

Television

Radio

• The Weekend (2017)
• John Finnemore's Double Acts – "The Wroxton Box" (2017)
• Torchwood: Tropical Beach Sounds and Other Relaxing Seascapes #4 (2020)

Awards and Special Recognition

Class 153, no. 153335 Michael Palin at Cambridge

Michael Palin helped start the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children in 1993. This center helps young people who stammer. In 1993, an asteroid was even named after him: Asteroid 9621 Michaelpalin.

He has also had two British trains named after him! This is to honor his love for travel, especially by train. In 2002, a high-speed train called Michael Palin was named. Another train, unit 153335, also carries his name.

Sheffield Legends plaque in Palin's home city of Sheffield, England

In 2009, Palin became the President of the Royal Geographical Society. This group focuses on geography and exploration. People often call him "Britain's Nicest Man" because he is so friendly. In 2018, he was voted the greatest Yorkshireman ever!

The University of St Andrews gave him an honorary degree in 2017. This was to recognize how much he has helped people understand geography.

He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000. In 2019, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). This was for his work in travel, culture, and geography. Michael Palin is the only member of Monty Python to become a knight.

The British Library now keeps Michael Palin's personal writings. These include his project files, notebooks, and diaries. They show his work with Monty Python and his travel shows.

BAFTA Awards

• 1989 Won – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Fish Called Wanda
• 2005 Won – BAFTA Special Award
• 2009 Won – BAFTA Special Award as part of the Monty Python team
• 2013 Won – BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award

Other Awards

• 2011 Awarded the Aardman Slapstick Visual Comedy Legend award.
• 2020 National Television Awards Special Recognition Award

Images for kids

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  Michael Palin at Nightingale House in Clapham, November 2010

See also

In Spanish: Michael Palin para niños