Happy birthday, Eric Idle!

Eric Idle, born March 29, 1943 in Tyne and Wear, England, is best known for his work in the comedy troop Monty Python.  He appeared in Monty Python's Flying Circus and the movie spin-offs. He appeared with Robbie Coltrane in one of my favorites, Nuns on the Run.  

I didn't realize this, that he has been nominated for six Grammys for Best Comedy Recording and Best Spoken Word Album for Children.  He won Best Musical Show Album for Monty Python's Spamalot in 1981.

Graham Chapman, Monty Python creator, born 1941

Graham Chapman, born January 8, 1941 in Leicester, England, is  a co-creator of the iconic Monty Python's Flying Circus, which he formed in1969 with John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam.  After the series ended, Chapman and the troop continued with making Monty Python movies.  

Chapman was openly gay and lived with his partner David Sherlock for 24 years, raising a son together.

Chapman passed away in October 1989 from complications from a stroke, after years of health problems.

Graham Chapman, Monty Python actor, born 1941

Graham Chapman, born January 8, 1941 in Leicetershire, England, was a member of the Monty Python comedy group.  He studied medicine at Cambridge University but began writing with John Cleese.  They began to write professionally for the BBC.  

In 1969, they joined Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam to form Monty Python's Flying Circus.  

Chapman was openly gay and met his long-term partner David Sherlock in 1966.  He appeared as the lead in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Yellowbeard. 

He passed away in October 1989 of cancer.

Final Episode of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" airs 1974

The end of an era:  The last episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus aired December 5, 1974.  John Cleese had left the show before the fourth (and last) season, saying the show had become repititious and had run out of ideas.  He did collaborate with the other members and even appeared in one episode in the last season.

TV Guide has ranked it the 5th in the Top 25 Cult Shows Ever! and imdb.com has it ranked as #35 of the Top 250 TV shows.

Graham Chapman passed away in 1989, but the rest are still alive and kicking!