Eric Idle
Born 1943 · Age 82
English actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, screenwriter and playwright; member of Monty Python; creator/co-writer of Spamalot; known for songs including "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Harton Hospital, South Shields
Eric Idle born to Norah Barron Sanderson (nurse) and Ernest Idle (RAF sergeant).
Father Ernest Idle killed in road accident
Idle's father died while hitchhiking home from active service on compassionate leave; death profoundly affected his early childhood.
Enrolled at Royal Wolverhampton School as boarder
Sent to Royal Wolverhampton School (a charitable foundation) when his mother struggled to raise him alone.
Left school with exam results and accepted to Cambridge
Left school in 1962 with 10 O levels, 3 A levels and 1 S level; accepted to Pembroke College, Cambridge to read English Literature.
Joined Cambridge Footlights
Invited to join Cambridge University Footlights; began collaboration with contemporaries who became comedy peers.
Elected Footlights President; opened membership to women
Became Footlights President (1965) and changed club rules to admit women; Germaine Greer was the first woman member.
Footlights Revue 'My Girl Herbert' at Lyric Theatre
Toured in the annual Footlights revue My Girl Herbert which ran briefly at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
Took B.A. in English at Pembroke College, Cambridge
Completed undergraduate degree (took his B.A. in 1965).
Season at Leicester Repertory Theatre
Spent a season in Leicester Rep as an early professional acting engagement before moving to London.
Early TV appearances (Alice in Wonderland, Isadora)
Appeared in BBC TV Movies including Jonathan Miller's Alice in Wonderland and Ken Russell's Isadora (dates circa mid-1960s).
Writing for BBC shows (I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again & The Frost Report)
Began writing professionally for BBC radio and television including I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again and The Frost Report (the latter won Golden Rose of Montreux).
Cast member of Do Not Adjust Your Set
Wrote and acted in the children's television series Do Not Adjust Your Set with Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam; won Priz Jeunesse, Munich.
Guest on At Last the 1948 Show
Appeared as a guest on episodes of At Last the 1948 Show (which featured Cleese and Chapman).
Co-created Monty Python's Flying Circus
Co-created and starred in Monty Python's Flying Circus which launched Idle to nationwide fame (series 1969–1974).
Film: And Now for Something Completely Different released
Appeared (and co-wrote) in Monty Python's sketch-film adaptation for cinema audiences.
Started BBC Radio One show 'Radio Five'
Created and performed Radio Five for BBC Radio One (ran two seasons, 1973–1974); multi-tracked most parts himself.
Monty Python First Farewell Tour (UK & Canada)
Python stage tour (First Farewell Tour) in UK and Canada.
Monty Python Live at Drury Lane stage show
Performed in Monty Python Live at Drury Lane.
Film: Monty Python and the Holy Grail released
Co-wrote and acted in The Holy Grail; helped cement Idle's pop-culture status.
Created Rutland Weekend Television
Created and wrote Rutland Weekend Television (BBC2) with Neil Innes; led to creation of The Rutles.
Divorced Lyn Ashley
Divorce finalized from first wife Lyn Ashley.
Hosted Saturday Night Live (first of multiple appearances)
Hosted SNL multiple times between 1976 and 1979, raising Idle's profile in the U.S.
Published 'The Rutland Dirty Weekend Book' (spin-off)
Published a spin-off book to Rutland Weekend Television.
Rutles mockumentary 'All You Need Is Cash' aired
Mockumentary (written by Idle, music by Innes) aired on NBC; featured guest stars including George Harrison, John Belushi.
Film: Monty Python's Life of Brian released; composed 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'
Co-wrote and acted in Life of Brian; Idle wrote and performed the closing number 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'.
Married Tania Kosevich
Met Tania in 1977 and married her in New York in 1981 (second marriage).
Film: Monty Python's The Meaning of Life released
Co-wrote and appeared in The Meaning of Life; wrote 'Galaxy Song'.
Voice role in The Transformers: The Movie
Provided voice for Wreck-Gar in The Transformers: The Movie (1986).
Appeared as Ko-Ko in ENO production of The Mikado
Performed the role of Ko-Ko in English National Opera production; performance taped and later released on DVD.
Appeared in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Acted in Terry Gilliam's film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
Appeared in US TV series Nearly Departed (6 episodes)
Starred in Nearly Departed (summer replacement series, 6 episodes).
Daughter Lily born
Birth of daughter Lily (with Tania Kosevich).
Film: Splitting Heirs (writer, star, executive producer)
Wrote, starred in and executive-produced Splitting Heirs (1993); film was commercially unsuccessful.
Asteroid 9620 Ericidle named in his honour
Minor planet 9620 Ericidle named after Eric Idle.
Moved to Los Angeles
Relocated to Los Angeles (began residing in US permanently around this period).
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! (Epcot) role as Nigel Channing
Appeared as Dr. Nigel Channing in the 3-D film attraction at Walt Disney World's Epcot (1994–2010) and later Disneyland.
Voiced Rincewind in Discworld computer game; appeared in Casper
Played Paul 'Dibs' Plutzker in Casper and voiced Rincewind in Discworld game (1995), reprised in 1996 sequel.
Moved into Hollywood Hills mansion
From 1995 Idle lived in a five-bedroom, ~7,000-square-foot mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
Lead role in Burn Hollywood Burn (poorly received)
Starred in and appeared in the poorly reviewed An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1998).
Reprised Nigel Channing for Journey into Imagination (Epcot) short-lived revamp
Played Nigel Channing in the 1999 incarnation of Journey into Imagination at Epcot; later reworked due to fan outcry.
Tour: Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python / touring as Python standard-bearer
Toured extensively in 2000 performing Python songs and new material, later touring again in 2003.
The Greedy Bastard Tour (North America)
Launched The Greedy Bastard Tour across American and Canadian cities; stage performances mainly Python music and some original material.
Published 'The Greedy Bastard Diary'
Released The Greedy Bastard Diary in February 2005 chronicling the 2003 tour experiences.
Spamalot wins Tony Award for Best Musical (2005 season)
Spamalot nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won 3 including Best Musical; Idle also won Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics.
Spamalot begins extensive tours & international productions
Spamalot toured North America for three years and opened in West End, Las Vegas, Melbourne, Barcelona, Madrid and multiple other international productions (2006–2011).
Broadway opening of Spamalot
Spamalot (book & lyrics by Idle; music by Idle & John Du Prez) opened on Broadway (Shubert Theatre); major commercial success.
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (Spamalot)
Spamalot won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (award year 2006).
Not the Messiah (comic oratorio) premieres (Toronto / various reports)
Idle and John Du Prez co-wrote Not the Messiah — premiered/performed in Toronto and later revised for Australia/New Zealand tours and US performances; sources give 2006–2007 premieres.
Not the Messiah American premiere and expanded tours (2007–2009)
American premiere at Caramoor and tours including sell-out Sydney Opera House nights and Hollywood Bowl performances.
Monty Python received BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award (celebration)
As part of 40-year Monty Python celebration, the group received BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award; Idle participated in related events.
Performed at London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony
Sang 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' during the Olympic closing ceremony at Olympic Stadium, London.
Monty Python Live (Mostly) at the O2 Arena; final reunion show
Creator and director of Monty Python Live (mostly) — performances ran 1–20 July 2014; final reunion show closed 20 July 2014.
Published 'The Writer's Cut' (e-book)
Released an e-book edition titled The Writer's Cut (2015).
Broadcast: The Entire Universe (writer & co-presenter)
Wrote and co-presented The Entire Universe (BBC Two) — a comedy/musical extravaganza broadcast in December 2016.
Published memoir 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography'
Released memoir (2018) reflecting on career and life.
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; successful surgery
Diagnosed early in 2019 and underwent surgery to remove the tumour; no further treatment required following surgery.
Paramount option announced to adapt Spamalot into feature film (announced)
Paramount Pictures announced plans to adapt Idle's Spamalot into a feature film with Casey Nicholaw directing and Dan Jinks producing (reported Jan 2021; development noted 2020–2021).
Competitor on The Masked Singer (season 8) as 'Hedgehog'
Appeared as 'Hedgehog' on The Masked Singer (2022); performed Beatles' 'Love Me Do' with USC Trojan Marching Band; eliminated in first episode.
Listed and sold Hollywood Hills mansion owing to financial reasons
Sold five-bedroom ~7,000-square-foot Hollywood Hills home (listed in 2023) — sale attributed to financial difficulty per reporting.
The Spamalot Diaries published
Diary publication relating to the Spamalot production (listed among later bibliographies; 2024).
Publicly stated he was still working at 80 for financial reasons
Told BBC in Feb 2024 that Python income streams had 'tailed off' and he continued working at age 80 for financial reasons.
Continued public profile and commentary on comedy and politics
Remained publicly active with interviews and commentary (reported in 2025); noted he watches little modern comedy and had sharp views on politics.
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