Graham Chapman
Born 1941 · Age 84
British actor, comedian and writer; one of the six members of Monty Python; trained as a doctor but pursued comedy; known for roles in Monty Python films Holy Grail and Life of Brian.
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Life & Career Timeline
Early memory of wartime air crash (childhood)
One of his earliest memories was seeing remains of Polish airmen from a crash near Leicester; recalled as formative.
Born in Leicester
Born at Stoneygate Nursing Home, Stoneygate, Leicester, son of Walter Chapman and Edith Towers.
Attended Melton Mowbray Grammar School
Educated at Melton Mowbray Grammar School (later King Edward VII School); showed affinity for science, sports and amateur dramatics.
Noted school acting performance (Mark Antony)
Reviewed in a local paper for his Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, singled out for dramatic talent.
Began medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Entered Emmanuel College to read medicine; joined Cambridge Footlights where he began writing with John Cleese.
Joined Cambridge Footlights
Became involved with the Footlights dramatic club; began the writing partnership with John Cleese.
Graduated from Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Completed undergraduate studies at Emmanuel College (graduation year per Britannica); continued to Footlights revue touring.
Joined Cambridge Circus tour (Footlights revue)
Performed with Cambridge Circus on a world tour (including New Zealand), deferring medical studies for a year.
Returned to medicine at St Bartholomew's Medical College
Resumed and continued medical studies at St Bartholomew's Medical College after touring with Footlights.
Professionally registered as a doctor
Completed medical training and became professionally registered (qualified as a doctor) while still involved in comedy writing and performance.
Met long-term partner David Sherlock
Met David Sherlock in Ibiza; began a long-term partnership that lasted until Chapman's death.
Began professional writing for BBC (with John Cleese)
Chapman and Cleese wrote for David Frost's shows and other BBC programmes; early professional TV writing work began in mid-1960s.
At Last the 1948 Show (TV) — writer and performer
Co-wrote and performed on the television sketch series At Last the 1948 Show; his first significant TV performance role.
Told close friends about being gay
Came out privately to close friends (including John Cleese and Marty Feldman) around this time.
Wrote for radio and TV comedy
Contributed sketches to I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again; wrote material for Bill Oddie and others; wrote for Cilla Black, This Is Petula Clark and This Is Tom Jones.
Moved to Belsize Park with David Sherlock
Chapman and Sherlock moved to Belsize Park, London and frequented gay clubs in Central London.
Formation of Monty Python troupe
Joined John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam to form Monty Python.
Film credit — The Magic Christian (uncredited writer/appearance)
Appeared uncredited in The Magic Christian and had writing credit involvement.
Monty Python's Flying Circus first broadcast
Monty Python's Flying Circus premiered on BBC television (first broadcast widely cited as 5 October 1969).
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (film involvement)
Had a role/writing involvement in the 1970 film The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer.
And Now for Something Completely Different (film)
Appeared in and contributed to Monty Python's first film compilation of sketches.
Adopted John Tomiczek (legal guardianship)
Chapman and David Sherlock adopted (became legal guardian of) John Tomiczek, a teenage runaway from Liverpool.
Supported Gay News and Gay Liberation
Listed by Gay News as a 'special friend' and supported the Gay Liberation Front; was a vocal spokesman for gay rights.
Publicly disclosed homosexuality on TV
On a TV show hosted by George Melly he first publicly disclosed his homosexuality, becoming one of the first celebrities to do so.
Monty Python touring — drinking impacted performances
During the 1973 tour Chapman's heavy drinking began to affect his performance; he missed cues and suffered delirium tremens.
Monty Python's Flying Circus ended run on BBC
The original BBC run of Monty Python's Flying Circus ended in 1974 (series concluded).
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (lead role King Arthur)
Played King Arthur and was co-writer on the iconic Python film released in 1975; chosen for straight acting skills.
Out of the Trees pilot with Douglas Adams
Co-wrote (with Douglas Adams) a television pilot Out of the Trees which suffered poor ratings; only one episode made.
Began writing Yellowbeard pirate film
Started scripting the pirate comedy Yellowbeard while in Los Angeles; project later went through rewrites and production problems.
Quit drinking (Christmas 1977)
Stopped drinking alcohol during Christmas 1977 in order to perform successfully in Life of Brian; remained sober thereafter.
Co-wrote and starred in The Odd Job
Co-wrote the comedy film The Odd Job with Bernard McKenna and starred as one of the main characters; moderately successful.
Keith Moon died — impacted Yellowbeard
Keith Moon's death in 1978 stalled Yellowbeard (Moon had been intended for a lead role).
Monty Python's Life of Brian (title role: Brian)
Played the lead role in Life of Brian, released in 1979; production included filming in Tunisia, and Chapman also provided medical help to cast/crew.
Published memoir A Liar's Autobiography
Released his memoir A Liar's Autobiography (Volume VI) in which he recounted aspects of his life including alcoholism and sexuality.
Yellowbeard released (produced and starred)
Yellowbeard (which Chapman wrote and starred in) was released after a troubled production with financial difficulties; mixed reviews.
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (reunion film)
Reunited with the other Pythons for The Meaning of Life (1983).
Returned to Britain permanently after LA period
After a period living in Los Angeles (to reduce UK tax exposure) Chapman returned to the UK following Yellowbeard's release.
Became enthusiast and patron of Dangerous Sports Club
Became closely involved with the Dangerous Sports Club, which popularised bungee jumping; was scheduled to jump but it was cancelled for safety.
US college lecture tours
After reuniting for The Meaning of Life, Chapman began a lengthy series of US college tours speaking about the Pythons and other subjects.
Moved to Maidstone, Kent
By the mid-1980s Chapman, Sherlock and Tomiczek moved to Maidstone, Kent.
Appeared in TV film Still Crazy (Like a Fox)
Played Detective Inspector Palmer in the 1987 TV film Still Crazy (Like a Fox).
Appeared in Iron Maiden video 'Can I Play with Madness'
Featured as a teacher in Iron Maiden's music video for 'Can I Play with Madness' (final television appearance in a music video).
Appeared in Jake's Journey pilot
Starred in the pilot for the proposed TV series Jake's Journey (financial issues prevented full series).
Monty Python awarded BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema
At the 41st BAFTA Awards Monty Python received the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award; Chapman appeared on stage with three other Pythons.
College lecture recorded (April 1988)
A college lecture recorded in April 1988 later formed material for posthumous releases (album/DVD 'Looks Like Another Brown Trouser Job').
Malignant tonsil tumour discovered during dental visit
A routine dentist visit uncovered a malignant tumour on one of Chapman's tonsils; he underwent removal via tonsillectomy.
Cancer spread to spinal column; surgery and chemotherapy
In 1989 cancer was found to have spread to Chapman's spine; another tumour was surgically removed and he underwent chemo and further surgery.
Taped final TV appearance for Monty Python 20th anniversary special
Filmed scenes for Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python (taped shortly before his death).
Died of tonsil/spinal cancer
Died on 4 October 1989 at Maidstone Hospital from complications of throat (tonsil) cancer that had spread to his spine.
Public memorial service at St Bartholomew's Great Hall
A public memorial was held on 3 December 1989; surviving Pythons performed irreverent eulogies and led 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'.
Asteroid 9617 Grahamchapman named in his honour
Asteroid 9617 Grahamchapman (one of six asteroids named after Monty Python members) was named in Chapman's honour.
Graham Chapman Archives created; Graham Crackers published
David Sherlock allowed Jim Yoakum to start the Graham Chapman Archives; the compilation Graham Crackers was released as a semi-sequel to A Liar's Autobiography.
Aspen Comedy Arts festival urn gag
At the 1998 Aspen Comedy Arts festival an urn said to contain Chapman's ashes was 'accidentally' knocked over onstage spilling 'ashes' as a Python gag.
Rumour of Chapman's ashes blasted into skies (reported)
Reports and rumours circulated that Chapman's ashes had been launched in a rocket with Dangerous Sports Club assistance (reported 2000).
Calcium Made Interesting compilation published
A compendium of Chapman's writings (sketches, letters, essays) 'Calcium Made Interesting' was published in 2005, edited by Jim Yoakum.
Looks Like Another Brown Trouser Job release (album/DVD)
Album/DVD release containing a college lecture recorded in April 1988 was released (2006), preserving Chapman's spoken performances.
A Liar's Autobiography (animated film) premiered at TIFF
The animated film A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman premiered at Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 2012); used Chapman's recordings and Python voices.
Blue plaque unveiled at The Angel, Highgate
A British Comedy Society blue plaque commemorating Chapman was unveiled at The Angel pub in Highgate (Sept 2012) by Terry Jones, Michael Palin and others.
Green plaque placed at former home in Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire County Council placed a green plaque on Chapman's former home in Burton Road, Melton Mowbray (Dec 2014).
Plaque moved to Melton Mowbray town centre
Chapman's school plaque (blue/green/various plaques) was moved to Melton Mowbray town centre in March 2017.
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