This is an accepted version of this page
Charles McKeown | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1946 (age 79–80) |
| Occupations | Actor, screenwriter |
Charles McKeown (/məˈkjuːən/mə-KEW-ən; born 1946) is a British actor and writer, perhaps best known for his collaborations withTerry Gilliam. The two met while shootingMonty Python's Life of Brian (1979), and further collaborated with the Monty Python team inRipping Yarns (1977),Fawlty Towers (1979),Time Bandits (1981),The Missionary (1982),A Private Function (1984),Brazil (1985),East of Ipswich (1987),The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988),The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (1989),Erik the Viking (1989), andAmerican Friends (1991). Other credits includeYes Minister (1980),The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981),Prick Up Your Ears (1987), andThe Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992).
Charles McKeown studied acting at theBristol Old Vic Theatre School.[1]
McKeown has had a number of appearances in films and television series associated with theMonty Python comedy group. He started off his career with minor roles onRipping Yarns (1977),[1] which starredMichael Palin andTerry Jones, andFawlty Towers (1979), which starredJohn Cleese.[1] Around the same time, he played some minor roles inLife of Brian, where he met Gilliam.[1]
Since then, he has had acting roles in a number of the films he helped to write with Gilliam, including an appearance as Harvey Lime inBrazil and as Adolphus and Rupert inThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen.[1] In addition, he had roles in other Python-associated films such asTime Bandits (1981),[1]The Missionary (1982),[1]A Private Function (1984),[2]East of Ipswich (1987),[2]Erik the Viking (1989),[1] andAmerican Friends (1991).[1]
McKeown has also made some film appearances not associated with the Monty Python troupe such as his minor role as Jerry Hadley inSpies Like Us (1985),[2] (althoughTerry Gilliam also had a small role in that film) (1985), and Mr. Cunliffe inPrick Up Your Ears (1987).[2]
McKeown has also appeared on numerous television series including:Yes Minister (1980),[1]The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981),[1]Pinkerton's Progress (1983 which he also wrote for) andThe Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992).[1]
McKeown co-wrote the screenplay forBrazil (1985)[2] with Gilliam andTom Stoppard,[1] for which they were collectively nominated for anAcademy Award. McKeown also co-wrote the screenplay forThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) with Gilliam.[1] After nearly twenty years apart, the two collaborated again on the screenplay forThe Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009).[2] Additionally, McKeown wrote theBBC sitcom,Hold the Sunset.[1]
He went uncredited for his work onBatman (1989),[3] but other notable screenwriting credits includePlunkett & Macleane (1999),[2] andRipley's Game (2002),[2]
