Graham Chapman was born on January 8, 1941 in Leicester, England while a German air raid was in progress. Graham's father was a chief police inspector and probably inspired the constables Graham often portrayed later in comedy sketches. Graham studied medicine in college and earned an M.D., but he practiced medicine for only a few years. At Cambridge, he took part in a series of comedy revues and shortly after completing his medical studies at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Graham realized what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to perform comedy. In 1969, Graham along with University friends 'John Cleese' , which received negative reviews. In 1988, Graham began working on another series when his health began to decline. A longtime alcoholic, who suffered liver damage before he stopped drinking in 1977, Graham began to have trouble concentrating at work. In November 1988, a routine visit to a dentist revealed a malignant tumor on his tonsil which was surgically removed. A visit to the doctor revealed another tumor on his spine which had to be removed which confined him to a wheelchair. During most of 1989, he underwent a series of operations and radiation therapy but for every tumor that was found and removed, another would form either along his spine or in his throat. In his wheelchair, he attended the September 1989 taping for the Monthy Python's 20th anniversary special. But on October 1, he was hospitalized after a massive stroke which turned into a hemorrhage. He died at the age of 48 on 4 October, 1989 from complications of the stroke as well as throat and spinal cancer.
Member of the comedy group "Monty Python".
Studied Medicine at Cambridge University.
Co-wrote several episodes of "Doctor in the House" and its sequels with John Cleese.
While at Cambridge University, was a member of the prestigious Cambridge University Footlights Club. He went to the USA with the Cambridge University Footlights Club revue in 1964 - appearing on stage in Broadway, and on the "Ed Sullivan Show".
Longtime (24 years) companion of David Sherlock. Together, the two raised a son, John Tomiczak.
Born at 8:30am-BST
Died of cancer on 4th October 1989, just one day before the 20th anniversary of Monty Python. Terry Jones called it "The worst case of party-pooping Ive ever seen.".
Co-author (with Barry Cryer ) of the play "O Happy Day," which was discovered among his manuscripts and produced nearly eleven years after Chapmans death. "O Happy Day" had its world premiere on September 22, 2000, at Dads Garage Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. A portion of Chapmans ashes were in attendance for the premiere.
Was going to play the part of the reporter in "Red Dwarf" {Timeslides (#3.5)} , but died before filming could begin. The part instead went to Ruby Wax , the wife of one of the shows directors Ed Bye.
Was the second tallest member of the Monty Python troupe, being an inch taller than Eric Idle and just over two inches shorter than John Cleese.
While filming Life of Brian in Tunisia, he put his medical knowledge to good use and opened a surgery for the cast and crew. He brought along and dispensed much-needed medication for things like dehydration, food poisoning and other Tunisian complaints.
His parents were Walter and Edith.
Before joining the Cambridge Footlight Dramatic Society, while studying medicine at Emmanuel College, he founded his own cabaret show. When he was invited to join the Society, he did the same year that John Cleese joined.
Qualified at St. Bartholomews hospital as a medical doctor.
Struggled with alcoholism, especially during the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail . According to Terry Gilliam , Chapman constantly forgot his lines and was so drunk during filming that he couldnt make it across the Bridge of Death, so the assistant cameraman had to double for him. Additionally, Chapman was genuinely struggling with the rock climbing scene because of his alcohol struggle, which surprised the other Pythons since they had known him to be an excellent climber and wondered if his suit was interfering with his climbing.
Is the only member of Monty Pythons Flying Circus who never worked in one of Terry Gilliam s non-Python projects.
Member of Monty Python along with John Cleese , Michael Palin , Terry Jones , Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam.
He and his longtime partner, TV writer David Sherlock , were among the co-writers of the British sitcom "Doctor in Charge" . After Chapmans death, Sherlock contributed to The Pythons book. David was also the inspiration for many Monty Python sketches, including "Anne Elk" and was the originator of the Python sketch "Death of Mary Queen of Scots". David was one of several co-authors on "A Liars Autobiography," the official Chapman memoir, and co-writer of the movie Yellowbeard in which Chapman played the title role.
His last appearance on film in Iron Maiden s promo for "Can I Play With Madness" was directed by Python Editor, Julian Doyle.
Was asked to play the cameo role of Asylum director Dr. Armstrong in Lifeforce .
According to John Cleese , his writing partner before and during Monty Python, Cleese himself did most of the actual writing while Chapman sat back quietly smoking his pipe not saying anything for long periods of time before throwing out an idea that often changed the course of the script for the better. Case in point, Cleeses original idea for the dead parrot sketch was that of a man trying to return a broken toaster before Chapman suggested that it be changed to the man bringing back a dead parrot on the grounds that it was funnier.
Chapman published his memoirs, "A Liars Autobiography", in 1980, choosing the title because he said "its almost impossible to tell the truth".
And in the case of certain well-known religions, it was justified.
I hope I will have achieved something lasting.
[1974; on whether his Monty Python work serves to get something out of,his system that needs to be gotten out] Certainly in terms of writing.
I left Cambridge with a BA in Natural Sciences (lower second class),several bottles of the college sherry and a Ph. D. in Claret.
They lived in an enormous Gothic castle in the South of France called,Dundrinkingginandslimlinetonicwithicebutnolemonin, which was originally,built by Marco Polo for himself and a few friends he wanted to invite,round to his place after the pub closed.
Whatever the failings of the Footlights it was in fact more important,than Cambridge University. Invisible to the outside world, but,painfully obvious when you went for your first fitting, the University,wore rose-coloured contact lenses. All it could offer was three years,of dull and pointless work, with no hope of a job at the end of it,while Footlights had a much more practical and enjoyable syllabus,ending with a very good chance of achieving what every human being,really wants: fame.
I fart in your general direction.
All ideas come about through some sort of observation. It sparks an attitude some object or emotion causes a reaction in the other person. .
