John Cleese said he gets recognised now more for his role in ‘Shrek’ than his work with Monty Python.
The 78-year-old star is one sixth of the comedy troupe – also made up of Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and the late Graham Chapman – responsible for creating classic TV series ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ and three original films, which includes religious parody ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’.
Cleese also created acclaimed 1970s BBC sitcom ‘Fawlty Towers’ but he insists it is his voice role as King Harold in the second, third and fourth ‘Shrek’ films which garner him the most attention now, despite his six-decade spanning career.
The British actor is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "People say, ‘Here is John Cleese, who needs no introduction,’ and then go on talking about me for 18 minutes. Animation is what young kids know me for – [they hear] my voice and they go, ‘Oh, Shrek!’ "
The ‘Shrek’ animated franchise follows the reclusive and grouchy yet kindhearted titular ogre (Mike Myers) who wins the heart of Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and builds a life with her whilst coping with the tribulations of fairytale land.
Shrek is joined on his adventures by his friends Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas) and a fifth movie is set to be released in 2019 but Cleese will not be reprising his role as King Harold after his character dies during the events of ‘Shrek Forever After’.
Monty Python legend John Cleese is famous for Shrek now
