John Cleese is currently 86 years old.
He was born on October 27, 1939. Honestly, if you saw him lanky and lunging across a stage today, you might not believe it. Most people his age are slowing down, but Cleese seems to be running on a mix of spite, creative energy, and a very expensive divorce settlement history that he’s always happy to joke about.
It’s kind of wild when you think about the timeline. He was already a household name when color TV was a luxury. Now, in 2026, he’s navigating a world of TikTok clips and AI, usually with a grumpy, hilarious comment at the ready.
The Math Behind the Legend
Let’s get the specific numbers out of the way. Since his birthday is in late October, he spent most of last year at 85 and will hit 87 later this autumn.
He hails from Weston-super-Mare, a seaside town in Somerset that probably didn't know what hit it when a young John Marwood Cleese started developing that razor-sharp wit. His family name was actually "Cheese" until his father changed it to "Cleese" before enlisting in the army. Can you imagine? Monty Python and the Holy Grail by John Cheese? It just doesn't have the same ring to it.
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Why Everyone is Asking About His Age Now
The reason "how old John Cleese is" has become such a hot topic lately isn't just curiosity. It's because he is currently in the middle of a massive professional revival that would exhaust a 25-year-old.
- Fawlty Towers: The Play: He’s been heavily involved in bringing Basil Fawlty to the West End. It’s been a smash hit, and he’s already planning a sequel stage play based on other classic episodes like "The Psychiatrist" and "Basil the Rat."
- The Documentary: He recently premiered a documentary titled John Cleese Packs It In. The title is classic Cleese—it plays on the idea of retirement while actually showing him touring Europe and complaining about his knees.
- The Reboot: There is still massive buzz around the Fawlty Towers TV reboot he’s writing with his daughter, Camilla Cleese.
He’s been very open about the "plumbing" issues that come with being 86. He’s joked about having two replacement hips, a replacement knee, a pacemaker, and even a few hair transplants. He basically describes himself as a walking collection of spare parts held together by British sarcasm.
Mortality and the "Not Dead Yet" Tour
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Cleese doesn't shy away from talking about death. In fact, he leans into it. He titled one of his recent tours Last Chance to See Me Before I Die.
It's dark. It's blunt. It’s exactly what we expect from a man who helped write the "Dead Parrot" sketch.
But there’s a realness there too. In recent interviews, he’s mentioned feeling a bit depressed by how many of his friends are gone. Graham Chapman, Terry Jones—the Python ranks are thinning. He’s admitted that at 86, you start looking at the "finish line" differently. He told one reporter that he’s not scared of being dead, he’s just not looking forward to the act of dying.
The Jennifer Wade Factor
One reason he stays so "young" (or at least active) might be his wife, Jennifer Wade. She’s 31 years his junior. They married in 2012, and by all accounts, she’s the one who keeps him grounded while he’s off tilting at windmills or arguing with the BBC on social media.
Being 86 hasn't mellowed him. If anything, he’s gotten more vocal. He’s spent the last few years railing against "cancel culture" and what he calls "literal-minded people" who don't understand irony. Whether you agree with his politics or not, you have to admire the stamina. Most people use their late 80s to finish the Sunday crossword; Cleese uses his to start a fight with a major broadcasting corporation.
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What to Expect Next
If you’re wondering if he’s actually going to "pack it in" this year, don't hold your breath.
He is currently house hunting in the West Country, looking for a change of pace but clearly not a stop to the work. The Fawlty Towers stage sequel is expected to launch within the next 18 months. He’s also still doing Q&A sessions where he shows Monty Python and the Holy Grail and tells stories that he—in his own words—"hopefully still remembers."
Actionable Insights for Fans:
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- Check the Tour Dates: If you want to see him live, do it now. He’s explicitly stated that the touring schedule is grueling and "might kill him," though he says it with a grin.
- Watch the Documentary: John Cleese Packs It In is the most honest look at his current life and health you’ll find.
- Follow his "X" (Twitter): If you want the unvarnished, 86-year-old version of Cleese, that’s where he lives. He doesn't have a filter anymore, and at this age, he’s clearly decided he doesn't need one.
John Cleese is 86. He’s deaf in one ear, has a pacemaker, and is currently one of the busiest men in show business. That’s a pretty good way to grow old.