Carol Cleveland, the 7th Python
When one thinks of the British comedy that started it all, Monty Python, the names of John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle immediately come to mind. That said, one cannot overlook the contributions of Carol Cleveland, who appeared in 30 of the 45 Python episodes. While Connie Booth, of Fawlty Towers fame, played Michael Palin’s companion in the Lumberjack song sketch in the television series, Carol usually played that part in the live performances. Trivia note, Carol’s mother, Pat, actually appeared in two Python sketches, one with an axe embedded in her head.
After a brief time living in San Antonio, TX, Carol and her family moved back to London where her “before Python” days were spent appearing in series such as The Two Ronnies, Morcambe and Wise and Spike Milligan. Her dual portrayl of Zoot and Dingo at the Castle Anthrax in Monty Python and the Holy Grail is still memorable amidst all the other classic moments in the film.
Anyone remember Carol’s cameo appearance as a lady customer in an episode of Are You Being Served?
Today, Carol is still very active with her one-woman performance, Carol Cleveland Reveals All. With that, watch this and raise a glass of Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale to Carol Cleveland as she celebrates her birthday today, Wednesday, January 13.
