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Learn How to Pronounce John Cleese | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce John Cleese

Quick Answer: In English, the name John Cleese is pronounced [ˈdʒɒn ˈkliːz].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

John Cleese, born on October 27, 1939, is a legendary English actor, comedian, and writer whose career has defined generations of British comedy and entertainment. He first achieved international fame as a founding member of the seminal comedy troupe Monty Python, co-creating and starring in the groundbreaking series Monty Python's Flying Circus and classic films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and Life of Brian (1979). Beyond Python, Cleese created and portrayed the eternally exasperated hotelier Basil Fawlty in the iconic sitcom Fawlty Towers (1975, 1979), a masterpiece of farce and social satire. His sharp wit, towering physical presence, and genius for absurdist humor have cemented his status as a towering figure in comedy. His extensive filmography includes memorable roles in A Fish Called Wanda (1988), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises. Cleese's work as a writer, performer, and public speaker continues to influence comedy, creativity, and discourse on psychology and human folly.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "John Cleese" is generally straightforward, but common errors arise from homophones and misspellings. The most frequent mistake is misspelling his surname as "Cleese" to resemble the word "cheese," resulting in the incorrect "John Cheese." Other occasional typos include "Cleeze" or "Cleace." His first name is sometimes mistakenly written as "Jon," though the standard "John" is overwhelmingly correct. In references to his work, Fawlty Towers is sometimes misspelled as "Faulty Towers," a logical but incorrect assumption based on the pronunciation and Basil Fawlty's perpetually faulty operation of the hotel. Similarly, "Monty Python" is occasionally rendered as "Monty Pyhton" or "Monty Phyton."

Example Sentences

Any study of groundbreaking television comedy must include John Cleese's work with Monty Python and his solo creation, Fawlty Towers.

In his portrayal of Basil Fawlty, Cleese perfected the art of manic, repressed fury, turning a simple hotel setting into a theater of the absurd.

Fans often quote the famous "Dead Parrot" sketch, a brilliant piece of logical absurdity written and performed by John Cleese and Michael Palin.

Beyond acting, Cleese has authored several books on creativity and psychology, applying his comedic insight to human behavior.

His distinctive voice and impeccable timing made him a perfect choice for voice roles in major animated films like Shrek 2.

Even decades after their original airings, the sketches and episodes crafted by John Cleese remain a masterclass in timing, writing, and performance.

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