Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 29, 1943 in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Opera

 

Eric Idle is a British comedian, actor, writer, and musician who is best known for his work with the comedy group Monty Python. Born on March 29, 1943, in South Shields, England, Idle grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a singer. As a child, Idle learned to play the piano and the guitar, and he developed a love for classical music. Idle attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied English literature and performed in the Cambridge Footlights, a comedy troupe that has produced many famous comedians, including John Cleese and Hugh Laurie. After graduating from Cambridge, Idle began performing with the comedy group Monty Python, which he co-founded with Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam. Monty Python became one of the most influential comedy groups of all time, and their television show, Monty Python's Flying Circus, ran from 1969 to 1974. The group also made several films, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. In addition to his work with Monty Python, Idle has had a successful career as a solo performer, writer, and actor. Idle's love of classical music has also been a significant part of his career. In 1978, he wrote and starred in the musical comedy film, The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, which parodied the Beatles. The film's soundtrack, which Idle wrote and performed, included several songs that were inspired by the Beatles' music, but with humorous lyrics. The soundtrack was a commercial success, and it helped to establish Idle as a composer and musician. In 1980, Idle wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, Spamalot, which was based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The musical was a critical and commercial success, and it won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The score included several memorable songs, including "The Song That Goes Like This," "Find Your Grail," and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." Idle has also composed music for several films, including Nuns on the Run, Splitting Heirs, and An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn. He has also written and performed several songs for television shows, including The Simpsons and The Fairly OddParents. In addition to his work as a composer, Idle has also been a strong advocate for music education. In 2008, he founded the Rutland Boughton Music Trust, which provides music education and performance opportunities for young people in the United Kingdom. The trust is named after Rutland Boughton, a British composer who was a major influence on Idle's own musical career. Idle's contributions to classical music and comedy have made him a beloved figure in both fields. His ability to combine humor and music has made him a unique and influential artist, and his work continues to inspire new generations of musicians and comedians.

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