At 86, John Cleese is still making audiences laugh, but the legendary Monty Python star admits that the physical comedy that defined his career doesn’t come as easily as it once did.
Known for his towering height, gangly limbs, and iconic slapstick routines, Cleese has spent decades bringing chaos and laughter to the stage and screen.
Now, in his upcoming documentary, John Cleese Packs It In, fans get a candid glimpse at both the humour and the hurdles of growing older.
A Humorous Take on Aging
The film, hitting cinemas nationwide on November 13, follows Cleese as he tours 16 cities across five countries in just six weeks.
With sold-out audiences waiting, he jokes openly about his health struggles and age, calling the show Last Chance to See Me Before I Die.
“Getting old is much nicer than young people think.
For a start, you don’t have the energy to get upset, so people assume you’re nicer,” he quips.
Cleese doesn’t shy away from listing his ailments either.
From hip and knee replacements to a pacemaker, hair transplants, and even artificial lenses in his eyes, he paints a frank picture of life in his 80s—all with a trademark wink.
The Infamous Toe Incident
One of the film’s more shocking—and hilarious—moments comes when Cleese talks about a botched operation on his big toe.
The injury has made walking difficult, and during a European zoo visit, he had to be wheeled around.
“I’ve got the most photographed big toe in the world.
I had an operation to remove a bone spur six years ago and it hasn’t healed since,” he says, joking that the images may ruin viewers’ popcorn-snacking experience.
It’s this blend of physical comedy and personal vulnerability that makes the documentary so uniquely Cleese.
Life on Tour and Behind the Scenes
The cameras follow Cleese constantly, showing the logistics of touring with an intimate team that ensures his every need—yes, including his love of cheese—is met.
Alongside the laughs, the film offers touching glimpses into his personal life, particularly his relationship with his fourth wife, Jennifer Wade, 52.
Cleese recounts how they met by chance on the street, locked eyes, and have been inseparable ever since.
Reunion, Rivalry, and Monty Python Legacy
At a recent London screening, Cleese reunited with Monty Python colleagues Terry Gilliam and Sir Michael Palin, though Eric Idle was notably absent following disputes over the troupe’s finances.
Idle has publicly criticised mismanagement of Monty Python funds, alleging that he received only £2,000 per series from the BBC show.
Even amid old rivalries, Cleese’s reflections remain heartfelt, especially when remembering his late Fawlty Towers co-star Prunella Scales, who passed away at 93.
“Pru was a really wonderful comic actress… I was very, very fond of her,” he said, sharing the profound impact she had on his life and career.
A Star Who Still Surprises
For audiences, the documentary promises more than nostalgia.
It’s a raw, funny, and occasionally shocking portrait of a man who made comedy his life, now grappling with the realities of age while still striving to entertain.
Cleese himself sums it up with characteristic wit: audiences will laugh, not just with him, but often at him—and that, he insists, is part of the fun.