Carol Cleveland

Carol Cleveland
Cleveland smiling
Carol Cleveland in 2009
Born (1942-01-13) 13 January 1942 (age 82)
East Sheen, London, England
Years active1960–present
Spouse
Peter Brett
​
​
(m. 1971; div. 1983)​
Websitewww.carolcleveland.com

Carol Cleveland (born 13 January 1942) is a British-American actress and comedian, particularly known for her work with Monty Python.

Early life

Born in East Sheen, London, she moved to the United States with her mother and U.S. Air Force stepfather at an early age. She was brought up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lubbock, Texas; and later Pasadena, California, where she attended John Marshall Junior High School and Pasadena High School. She is a former Miss California Navy and appeared as Miss Teen Queen in MAD Magazine at age 15.[1] Cleveland was Miss Teen in the August 1958 issue of Dig magazine.

Cleveland returned with her family to London in 1960,[2] and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[3]

Career

A stage actress and model, Carol Cleveland appeared in The Persuaders!, in The Saint as a secretary, as a lover of Peter Wyngarde's character in The Avengers TV series episode "A Touch of Brimstone" (1966), and in other TV shows and films. She then started to appear in BBC comedy productions, including The Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise, and various works of Spike Milligan.

Monty Python

Her comedy acting skills brought her to the attention of the production team of Monty Python's Flying Circus. She appeared in 30 of the 45 episodes in the series, plus all four Monty Python movies. Cleveland has contributed to many post-Python projects including the Concert for George[3] and Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy). She has also appeared in many documentaries about the group's history, including Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut).

Other work

In 1972, Cleveland was voted number three in Splendor magazine's "100 Most Beautiful Entertainers" list.

In 1986, Cleveland played an American television journalist in Only Fools and Horses, in the episode "The Miracle of Peckham"; then in 1995, she had a small cameo in a sketch within Fist of Fun, a BBC comedy show featuring Stewart Lee and Richard Herring. In 2022, she appeared in an episode of First Dates.[4]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1963 The Cracksman Pirate uncredited
1963 Strictly for the Birds Sandra
1964 The Americanization of Emily Army Driver uncredited
1965 The Pleasure Girls Ella
1967 A Countess from Hong Kong Nurse
1967 Mister Ten Per Cent Hat Check Girl
1967 In Saigon Some May Live Girl
1968 Salt and Pepper Club Hostess
1968 The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom Bra Model
1969 If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium Travel Agent
1969 The Adding Machine Judy
1969 Moon Zero Two Hostess
1970 Every Home Should Have One Suzy
1971 And Now for Something Completely Different Various
1974 Vampira Jane
1974 All I Want Is You... and You... and You... Eli Hartford
1975 Monty Python and the Holy Grail Zoot / Dingo
1975 The Return of the Pink Panther Swimming Pool Diver
1977 The Brute Diane's Agent
1979 Monty Python's Life of Brian Mrs. Gregory
1982 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl Various
1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Various
1983 Funny Money Delphine
1986 Half Moon Street American Wife
1995 Annie: A Royal Adventure! Miss Hannigan
2007 Too Much Too Young June
2010 Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) Various
2012 A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman Various
2013 The Sweeter Side of Life Edna
2013 The Search for Simon Irene Jones
2019 The Rizen: Possession The Ancient One
2021 Alice, Through the Looking Queen Elizabeth II

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1961 Dixon of Dock Green Sandra Episode: "A Quiet, Ordinary Woman"
1963 ITV Play of the Week Marion Episode: "The Touch of a Dead Hand"
1963 The Sentimental Agent Shelah Episode: "May the Saints Preserve Us"
1963 The Saint Marion Kent Episode: "The Sporting Chance"
1964 No Hiding Place Samantha Kay Episode: "The Things Money Can Buy"
1964 ITV Play of the Week Helen Carver Episode: "Design for Living"
1964 ITV Play of the Week Celia Episode: "The Other Man"
1964 ITV Play of the Week Katie Episode: "A Really Good Jazz Piano"
1965 The Ambassadors Mamie Pocock TV film
1965 The Saint Gloria Mancini Episode: "The Crime of the Century"
1965 The Man in Room 17 Marya Ference Episode: "A Minor Operation"
1966 The Avengers Sara Episode: "A Touch of Brimstone"
1966 BBC Play of the Month Barbara Davies Episode: "Lee Oswald: Assassin"
1967 The Reluctant Romeo Natalie Episode: "A Tale of Two Secretaries"
1967 Man in a Suitcase Miss Dinsdale Episode: "The Sitting Pigeon"
1968 Love Story Waitress Episode: "The Egg on the Face of the Tiger"
1968 Journey to the Unknown Lisa Episode: "Do Me a Favor and Kill Me"
1969 Father, Dear Father Bunny Mother Episode: "We Can't Afford a Carriage"
1969–1974 Monty Python's Flying Circus Various 33 episodes
1969 Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Laura Slade Episode: "For the Girl Who Has Everything"
1970 Foreign Exchange Girl TV film
1971 The Liver Birds Fiancée Episode: "The New Neighbour"
1971 The Persuaders! Girl at Airport Episode: "Element of Risk"
1972 The Lotus Eaters Leigh Mervish 5 episodes
1973 Now Look Here Nina Episode: #2.1
1973 Doctor in Charge Nurse Dobbs Episode: "Men Without Women"
1973 Crime of Passion Suzy Episode: "Chantal"
1974 The Last Turkey in the Shop Show Various TV film
1978 Mike Yarwood in Persons Sadie Episode: #2.5
1985 Are You Being Served? Lady Customer Episode: "Friends and Neighbours"
1986 Hilary Victoria Sands Episode: "Over the Hill?"
1986 Only Fools and Horses Sandra Potts Episode: "The Miracle of Peckham"
1991 About Face Mrs. Rodgers Episode: "Tourist Attraction"
1992 Land of Hope and Gloria Loretta Episode: "The Authentic Taste of England"
1995 Fist of Fun Mrs. Neil Episode: #1.3
2013 Toast of London Brooke Hooberman Episode: "The End"
2022 First Dates Herself Episode: #18.2

References

  1. ^ "Carol Cleveland Press Article". Carolcleveland.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Carol Cleveland's Bio Page". Carolcleveland.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b Hogan, Michael (22 June 2014). "Carol Cleveland interview: 'I loved every minute of Python, but in some respects, it has been a ball and chain'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Monty Python's Carol Cleveland does C4's First Dates". Chortle. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.