Eric Idle

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 played a talking skull in the Disney film "The Black Cauldron". He has also appeared on TV shows like "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy".

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" and "The Rutland Dirty Weekend Book".

Idle has also had a successful career on stage, both in the UK and on Broadway. He made his West End debut in 1963 in the musical "One Over the Eight", and he has since appeared in productions of "The Mikado", "The Pirates of Penzance", and "The Wind in the Willows". He made his Broadway debut in 2004 in the play "Monty Python's Spamalot", and he has since appeared in productions of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and "Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)", a oratorio based on "Monty Python's Life of Brian".

Idle has been honored for his contributions to comedy and entertainment over the years. In 1999, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to entertainment, and in 2016, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also been recognized by his peers, receiving a BAFTA Award for his writing on "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and a Tony Award for "Spamalot".

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."