John Cleese is 86 years old. Born on October 27, 1939, in Weston-super-Mare, the man who gave us the Ministry of Silly Walks has officially entered his mid-eighties with the same sharp, often cantankerous wit that made him a global icon.
He's tall. Very tall. At 6'5", Cleese has often joked that being this height is a young man's game. Once you hit 80, gravity and stiff joints turn a simple task like getting out of a car into a major theatrical production. Honestly, most people his age are busy eyeing a quiet retirement or a nice garden in the English countryside. But Cleese? He’s still out there. He's touring, writing, and making headlines for his "unfiltered" opinions on everything from the BBC to modern woke culture.
The Reality of John Cleese Age and Why He Won't Retire
The question of John Cleese age usually comes up because fans are shocked to see him still gritting his teeth through stand-up tours and new TV projects. It’s not just a love for the spotlight, though. Cleese has been remarkably candid—sometimes painfully so—about why he hasn’t packed it in.
Divorce is expensive.
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He famously dubbed one of his tours the "Alimony Tour." After his 2008 split from his third wife, Alyce Faye Eichelberger, Cleese was ordered to pay out roughly $20 million in a settlement. That’s a lot of Fawlty Towers royalties. Even at 86, the financial ghost of that settlement lingers. He’s mentioned in interviews as recently as late 2025 that he ought to be retired, but the bank account says otherwise.
Stem Cells and Staying "Full of Beans"
How does an 86-year-old keep up this pace?
Cleese doesn't credit kale or yoga. He credits science. For about 20 years, he’s been outspoken about using stem cell therapy. He reportedly spends around £17,000 every year or so on these treatments to "repair" his body. He’s basically trying to buy a few extra years of mobility. It seems to be working, too. When you see him on stage for his John Cleese Packs It In shows, he’s still got that frantic energy, even if the "Silly Walk" is a bit more of a "Stiff Shuffle" these days.
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What John Cleese Is Doing in 2026
If you think he's just sitting around doting on his cats, you haven't been paying attention. In early 2026, the buzz is all about his continued efforts to revive his most famous work.
- The Fawlty Towers Reboot: He’s been developing a new version of the show with his daughter, Camilla Cleese. Instead of the rainy English coast, it’s set in a boutique hotel in the Caribbean.
- The BBC Feud: He still hates the "bureaucracy" of modern television. Cleese recently claimed there hasn't been a truly funny show since The Office.
- Book Projects: He is currently working on a book specifically about the mechanics of writing comedy. He wants to prove how difficult the craft actually is.
He’s also heavily involved in conservation. Along with his fourth wife, Jennifer Wade (who is 30 years his junior), he’s been sponsoring projects like the Tusk Turtle Trail. He even helped design a turtle sculpture named "Teddy." It’s a softer side to a man who spent decades playing the world's most stressed-out hotel manager.
Is he still funny?
Comedy is subjective, but Cleese’s brand of humor has shifted. It’s more "old man yells at cloud" now, mixed with high-level philosophy. He’s become a bit of a lightning rod. Some fans love that he refuses to be "canceled," while others wish he’d stick to the surrealism of the Python days.
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But that’s the thing about getting to 86. You stop caring what the "committees" think. He’s reached an age where his legacy is set in stone, whether he’s being "difficult" on GB News or signing 1,200 copies of his latest memoir.
A Legacy That Defies Time
When we look at John Cleese age, we aren't just looking at a number. We're looking at a timeline of British culture.
- 1960s: The Cambridge Footlights and The Frost Report.
- 1969: The birth of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
- 1975: Fawlty Towers changes sitcoms forever.
- 1988: A Fish Called Wanda proves he’s a Hollywood leading man.
- 2000s: Nearly Headless Nick in Harry Potter and "Q" in James Bond.
He has survived the death of his Python collaborators Graham Chapman and Terry Jones. He has survived four marriages and a heart procedure.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following Cleese's career in 2026, here’s how to keep up:
- Check Local Cinema Listings: His documentary John Cleese Packs It In is screening in over 350 UK cinemas.
- Read "Creativity": If you want to understand his brain, his short book Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide is better than any interview.
- Look for the Caribbean Reboot: Keep an eye on production news for the new Fawlty Towers; it’s his big swing at proving he’s still got the "writing chops."
John Cleese is a reminder that "old age" doesn't have to mean "quiet." Whether he's complaining about the BBC or getting stem cell injections in his knees, he remains one of the most interesting—and divisive—figures in entertainment history. At 86, he’s not just a relic of the past; he’s still very much a part of the conversation.