--- name: "Carol Cleveland" canonical: "https://film.one/person/carol-cleveland" fi1m_id: "carol-cleveland" imdb_id: "nm0166470" tmdb_id: 10733 wikidata_id: "Q238012" roles: ["Actor"] born: "13 January 1942" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-17T14:43:59.988532+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Carol Cleveland ## Identity Carol Cleveland - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/carol-cleveland - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** carol-cleveland - **IMDb ID:** nm0166470 - **TMDB ID:** 10733 - **Wikidata ID:** Q238012 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Cleveland, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238012, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0166470/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10733 Actor. Born 13 January 1942 in East Sheen, Surrey, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 13 January 1942, East Sheen, Surrey, England, UK - **Active:** 1969–1983 - **Frequently works with:** [Eric Idle](https://film.one/person/eric-idle.md), [Graham Chapman](https://film.one/person/graham-chapman.md), [John Cleese](https://film.one/person/john-cleese.md), [Michael Palin](https://film.one/person/michael-palin.md), [Terry Gilliam](https://film.one/person/terry-gilliam.md), [Terry Jones](https://film.one/person/terry-jones.md), [John Goldstone](https://film.one/person/john-goldstone.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 83 (1), 1970s 82 (3), 1980s 76 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 78 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Adventure 1, Fantasy 1 - **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $69m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Cleveland, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238012, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0166470/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10733 ## Streaming the US now - **Peacock:** [*Life of Brian*](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md) (88), [*Monty Python and the Holy Grail*](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md) (87), [*Monty Python's Flying Circus*](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md) (83) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Carol Cleveland > Carol Cleveland gives Python's absurdity a straight-faced partner, with timing that deserves more attention than the glamour of her casting. We value the comic assurance, though the parts repeatedly ask less of her than they might. Cleveland keeps a straight face while a Python sketch gets sillier around her. Her timing matters because the glamorous woman she is so often asked to play still needs to belong in the comedy. She accepts the exaggerated parts without making a separate fuss about how game she is. We value that steadiness, and wish the writing more often gave her something beyond her appearance to work with. Small parts in British television and film in the early 1960s preceded *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), in which she appeared in 32 of 45 episodes. That is sustained ensemble work, and her contribution deserves to be considered as acting rather than simply casting. The programme's carefully performed nonsense suits her reliable timing, though its weaker stretches can be stubbornly long. As the troupe recognised her comic ability, the parts became more adventurous; the willingness to play them broadly was there. Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam's *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975) gives her the twin roles of Zoot and Dingo. We laughed at the cast's straight faces because they treat the Arthurian nonsense as something requiring their full attention. Cleveland's straight-woman work belongs to that same discipline, helping the ensemble take absurd situations seriously. A few sketches outstay their welcome, but the performances remain a reason to stay. She continued with Mrs. Gregory in *Monty Python's Life of Brian* (1979) and various roles in *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983). The limitation is the repeated casting in glamorous or stereotypical female parts, followed by screen work largely confined to guest appearances and minor roles. Stage work increasingly occupied her after the Python years, so the familiar screen performances should not be mistaken for the whole of her work. Start with *Monty Python's Flying Circus* and give the supporting performer some of the attention usually reserved for those making the most noise. ## Biography Carol Cleveland (born Carol Gillian Frances on 13 January 1942) is an American-English actress and comedian. Born in East Sheen, London, she moved to the United States as a child and later returned to Britain, where she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She is best known for her work with Monty Python, appearing in 32 of the 45 episodes of *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969–1974) and in all four of the troupe's feature films, including *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), *Monty Python's Life of Brian* (1979) and *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983). She has been described as the group's unofficial seventh member. Earlier in her career she appeared in episodes of *The Avengers* (1961) and *The Saint* (1962), as well as *And Now for Something Completely Different* (1971) and *The Return of the Pink Panther* (1975). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983), Fi1m 76, as Various Roles — [page](https://film.one/film/monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life.md) - *Life of Brian* (1979), Fi1m 88, as Mrs. Gregory — [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md) - *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), Fi1m 87, as Zoot / Dingo — [page](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md) - *Are You Being Served?* (1972), Fi1m 72, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/are-you-being-served.md) - *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), Fi1m 83, as Various — [page](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md) ## Complete filmography (53) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Alice, Through the Looking* (2021), as The Queen - *The Rizen: Possession* (2019), as The Ancient One - *The Sweeter Side of Life* (2013), as Edna - *The Search for Simon* (2013), as Irene Jones - *A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman* (2012), as Various (voice) - *Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall* (2010), Actor - *Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)* (2010), as Sheep Lady / Mexican / Bevis' Girlfriend - *Annie: A Royal Adventure* (1995), as Miss Hannigan - *Fist of Fun* (1995), series, as Mrs. Neil - *Half Moon Street* (1986), as American Wife - *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983), as Various Roles — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life.md) - *Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl* (1982), as Various Roles - *Funny Money* (1982), as Delphine - *Life of Brian* (1979), as Mrs. Gregory — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md) - *The Brute* (1977), as Diane's Agent - *Mike Yarwood In Persons* (1976), series, Actor - *One-Upmanship* (1976), series, Actor - *The Return of the Pink Panther* (1975), as Swimming Pool Diver - *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), as Zoot / Dingo — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md) - *Vampira* (1974), as Jane - *Henry Cleans Up* (1974), as Doris - *All I Want Is You... and You... and You...* (1974), as Eli Hartford - *Are You Being Served?* (1972), series, Actor — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/are-you-being-served.md) - *The Lotus Eaters* (1972), series, as Leigh Mervish - *The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971* (1971), Actor - *And Now for Something Completely Different* (1971), as Dierdre Pewtey / Storyteller / Milkman Collector / Restaurant Patron #2 / Elsbeth - *The Persuaders!* (1971), series, as Girl at Airport - *Journey to Murder* (1971), as Lisa - *Monty Python: Who's There?* (1970), as Anne - *Foreign Exchange* (1970), as Girl - *Moon Zero Two* (1969), as Hostess - *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), series, as Various — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md) - *The Adding Machine* (1969), as Judy - *Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)* (1969), series, as Laura Slade - *If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium* (1969), as Travel Agent - *Man in a Suitcase* (1967), series, Actor - *Some May Live* (1967), as Girl - *Mister Ten Per Cent* (1967), as Girl at Theatre Party (uncredited) - *A Countess from Hong Kong* (1967), as Nurse - *Lee Oswald: Assassin* (1966), as Barbara Davies - *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Barbara Davies - *The Man in Room 17* (1965), series, as Marya Ference - *The Pleasure Girls* (1965), as Ella - *The Ambassadors* (1965), as Mamie Pocock - *The Americanization of Emily* (1964), as Army Driver (uncredited) - *A Choice of Coward* (1964), series, as Helen Carver - *Strictly for the Birds* (1964), as Sandra - *The Cracksman* (1963), as Pirate (uncredited) - *The Saint* (1962), series, as Gloria Mancini, Marion Kent - *The Avengers* (1961), series, Actor — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-avengers-1961.md) - *No Hiding Place* (1959), series, Actor - *ITV Play of the Week* (1955), series, as Katie - *Agatha: Mistress of Swords*, as Narrator (voice) / The Sorceress ## Gallery - ![Actress/comedienne Carol Cleveland at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is prop (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/60082/gallery-f6fe4ec18ce8.jpg) Actress/comedienne Carol Cleveland at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is prop (2009) — Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/10.18.09CarolClevelandByLuigiNovi.jpg/1280px-10.18.09CarolClevelandByLuigiNovi.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Eric Idle and Carol Cleveland performing the "Galaxy Song" during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60082/gallery-40e9d4b6a864.jpg) Eric Idle and Carol Cleveland performing the "Galaxy Song" during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show. (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Eric_Idle_Carol_Cleveland_Galaxy_Song.jpg/1280px-Eric_Idle_Carol_Cleveland_Galaxy_Song.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Carol Cleveland and Michael Palin performing the "Lumberjack Song" during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60082/gallery-dcb6804457de.jpg) Carol Cleveland and Michael Palin performing the "Lumberjack Song" during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show. (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Lumberjack_Song_O2_Arena.jpg/1280px-Lumberjack_Song_O2_Arena.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photo 02-07-14 12 21 46 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60082/gallery-47b5894aa5af.jpg) Photo 02-07-14 12 21 46 (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana from Antofagasta, Chile, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_12_21_46_%2814415313760%29.jpg/1280px-Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_12_21_46_%2814415313760%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/carol-cleveland