Monty Python's Life of Brian - Cast

Cast

A list of all the characters given actual names in the script, or with a spoken role. All names and character descriptions are taken from the published script. Each Python (especially Terry Gilliam) also played various bystanders and hangers-on. The Pythons themselves are listed first (in alphabetical order) followed by the rest of the cast in order of appearance.

• Graham Chapman – Brian, Biggus Dickus, 2nd wise man
• John Cleese – Reg, the High priest, Centurion of the Yard, Deadly Dirk, Arthur, 1st wise man
• Terry Gilliam – Another person further forward (at Mount – "Do you hear that? 'Blessed are the Greek'!"), Blood and Thunder prophet, Geoffrey, Gaoler, Frank
• Eric Idle – Mr Cheeky, Stan/Loretta, Harry the Haggler, Culprit woman who casts first stone, Intensely dull youth, Otto, Gaoler's assistant, Mr Frisbee III.
• Terry Jones – Mandy, Colin, Simon the Holy Man, Saintly passer-by, Bob Hoskins (man in crowd)
• Michael Palin – Mr Big Nose, Francis, Mrs A, Ex-leper, Ben, Pontius Pilate, Boring Prophet, Eddie, Nisus Wettus, 3rd wise man
• Kenneth Colley – Jesus Christ
• Neil Innes – A weedy Samaritan
• Gwen Taylor – Mrs Big Nose, Woman with sick donkey, young girl
• Terence Baylor – Gregory, Dennis
• Carol Cleveland – Mrs Gregory, Elsie
• Charles McKeown – Man further forward (at Mount), Stig, Blind Man, False Prophet, Giggling Guard
• Chris Langham - Alfonso, Giggling Guard
• Sue Jones-Davies – Judith Iscariot
• John Young – Matthias
• Bernard McKenna – Stoner's Helper, Parvus
• Spike Milligan – Spike
• George Harrison – Mr Papadopoulos (uncredited)

Several characters are never named during the film but do have names that are used in the tracklisting for the soundtrack album and elsewhere. There is no mention in the film of the fact that Eric Idle's ever-cheerful joker is called 'Mr. Cheeky', or that the Roman guard played by Michael Palin is named 'Nisus Wettus'.

Spike Milligan plays a prophet, ignored because his acolytes are chasing after Brian. By coincidence he was visiting his old World War II battlefields in Tunisia where the film was being made. The Pythons were alerted to this one morning and he was promptly included in the scene that just happened to be being filmed. He disappeared again in the afternoon before he could be included in any of the close-up or publicity shots for the film.