John Cleese is 86 years old. He was born on October 27, 1939. Honestly, if you grew up watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus or Fawlty Towers, that number feels almost impossible. He’s the guy who did the Ministry of Silly Walks. He’s the guy who yelled at a dead parrot. And yet, here he is in January 2026, still remarkably active, still opinionated, and still somehow dodging the "retirement" label that catches up with most people two decades earlier.
How old is John Cleese right now?
Right now, Cleese is navigating his mid-80s with a mix of dry wit and a very public admission that aging is, well, a bit of a trek. He hit the 86-year mark late last year. Most people at that age are strictly in the "feet up" phase of life, but Cleese has a different motor. Part of that is likely temperament—he’s never been one to sit quietly—and part of it, as he’s joked quite often, is the financial reality of four marriages and three very expensive divorces.
It’s actually kind of refreshing to hear a celebrity be so blunt about it. He doesn't pretend he's touring solely for the "love of the craft." He’s mentioned that he has to keep working. It keeps the mind sharp, sure, but it also pays the alimony.
The Weston-super-Mare Roots
He was born John Marwood Cleese in Weston-super-Mare, England. His father was an insurance salesman who actually changed the family name from "Cheese" to "Cleese" during World War I. Can you imagine? Monty Python led by a man named John Cheese? It almost fits too well. He was always the tall kid—hitting 6'5" by the time he was a teenager—which contributed to that physical, lanky comedy style that made Basil Fawlty so iconic.
Is He Still Performing?
You bet. In fact, 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for him. He’s currently involved in the Fawlty Towers – The Play UK tour, which is running from January through August. He adapted it himself and has been very hands-on with the production. It’s funny because he spent years saying he’d never go back to that world, but the West End success seems to have changed his mind.
He’s also been doing a lot of "Evening with..." style shows. These are basically him sitting on a stage, telling stories about Graham Chapman or the chaos of filming Life of Brian, and answering questions. He calls these tours things like "Not Dead Yet," which tells you everything you need to know about his perspective on his age.
Stem Cells and Pacemakers
Cleese isn't shy about the "maintenance" required to keep an 86-year-old body moving. He’s gone on record about spending thousands on stem cell therapy. He travels to a clinic in Switzerland every year or so, claiming it helps with his energy and "youthful" appearance.
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Beyond the experimental stuff, he’s got the standard high-mileage repairs:
- Two replacement hips.
- A replacement knee.
- A pacemaker.
- A cancerous patch removed from his leg a few years back (which he dismissed as "but a scratch").
He’s basically a bionic comedian at this point.
The Moving Target of Retirement
There was a rumor a while back that he was moving to the Caribbean for good to escape British taxes and "woke" culture (his words, not mine). He did live in Nevis for a bit. But as of 2025 and early 2026, the pull of the English West Country seems to have won out. He’s been house-hunting in Bath with his wife, Jennifer Wade. He seems to have a nostalgic streak for the "peaceful, friendly" England he remembers from his youth.
Why We Still Care
Why are we still googling "how old is John Cleese" in 2026? It’s because he represents a specific era of comedy that didn't play it safe. Whether you agree with his recent "anti-woke" crusades or not, you can't deny the impact of his writing. He’s one of the last links to a revolutionary period of British satire.
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Seeing him still out there, 86 years into the game, is a bit like seeing an old classic car still winning races. It might need a few more oil changes and some parts replaced, but it still runs circles around the new models.
How to Keep Up With Him
If you want to see the man in person, your best bet is catching one of the tour dates for the Fawlty Towers stage play. It’s hitting nearly 30 venues across the UK and Ireland this year. Even if he’s not on stage himself for every performance, his DNA is all over the script.
Actionable Insight: If you’re a fan, check the official 2026 tour schedules for "Fawlty Towers – The Play" in cities like Birmingham, Dublin, or Cardiff. Tickets for these legacy projects tend to sell out fast because people realize these might be the final laps for one of comedy’s true heavyweights. Also, keep an eye on his social media; he’s surprisingly active and usually the first one to debunk any rumors about his health with a well-timed insult or a dry joke.