Trivia

Admired by the other Pythons for his circle of friends, it was he who procured part of the production money for Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) from former Beatle George Harrison.

Describes himself as having "creative dyslexia", meaning he can look at any word and automatically see the anagrams that can be made from it. One of the characters he played in "Monty Python's Flying Circus" was a man who speaks only in anagrams.

Steve Martin calls him his mentor.

Friend of Robin Williams.

The only member of the Monty Python group to write alone.

Got permission from the other members of Monty Python (except, naturally, Graham Chapman) to go ahead with his play/musical "Spamalot" (set to hit Broadway in early 2005), a twist on their classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), because they all found the script hilarious.

Was invited to the party Steve Martin was throwing that turned out to be his wedding.

Defeated Charles Barkley and Martha Stewart on a celebrity episode of Jeopardy! (1984) in 2002.

Rented out his house to Carrie Fisher during the production of Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979), while she was in London filming Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

Was once tasked by his fellow Pythons with composing a response to an angry piece of fan mail. Monty Python member Graham Chapman was openly gay, and a letter had been written citing Bible verses, stating that homosexuals should be stoned to death. He jokingly replied that they had stoned Chapman to death.

Proudly calls himself "the third tallest member of Monty Python."

On August 12, 2012 Eric performed "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" live at the London Olympic Games Closing Ceremony which was broadcast live around the world to approximately 1 Billion people.

Eric's father, who served in the Royal Air Force, died in a car crash the Christmas Eve Eric was two years old.

Longtime advocate for women's rights and animal rights.

Is an accomplished guitar player.

Producer of hit Broadway musical 'Monty Python's Spamalot' ("lovingly ripped-off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).") (February 2005)

On October 15, 2009 , Eric and the other surviving members of Monty Python accepted the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award on the 40th Anniversary of Monty Python in New York.

In 1963, as a collegiate, he was admitted into the Cambridge Footlights comedy club. He became president of the club the following year and one of his first acts was to open the membership up to include women. Feminist/writer Germaine Greer was one of the first to join.

Longtime friend of George Harrison.

On July 1st - 5th and July 15th - 20th, 2014, The Pythons performed Monty Python Live (Mostly) at the O2 to sold-out crowds of 16,000 for each of the 10 nights, Eric Idle wrote and directed the show.

Godfather of Duncan Jones.

Appears as the M.C. in the 3-D film Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (1994) at Disneyland.

On November 12, 2008 Eric performed Swan Lake with the English National Ballet, and sings "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" for the We Are Most Amused Gala event held at the New Wimbledon Theatre in honor of the 60th birthday of HRH Prince Charles.

Just signed a deal to have his musical "Spamalot" performed in Wynn's Resorts in Las Vegas in 2007. It will perform there for 10 years. (July 2005)

Although his picture An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997) was a commercial and critical disappointment, Idle has been asked for Alan Smithee's "autograph" in real life...and consented (Smithee was the nonexistent, pseudonymous director whom Idle "portrayed" in said movie).

Knew Michael Palin and Terry Jones from university.

Studied English at Cambridge University. While at university, he was a member of the prestigious Cambridge Footlights Club, and later, President of the Footlights Club.

He and John Du Prez were awarded the 2010 Musical Score for "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Daughter Lily (b. 1990), with Tania Kosevich.

Member of the comedy group "Monty Python"

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 225-226. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

John Du Prez and his musical, "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Nightblue Performing Arts Theatre in Chicago, Illinois was nominated for a 2014 Joseph Jefferson Non-Equity Award for Musical Production.

Son Carey (b. 1973), with Lyn Ashley.

The only member of Monty Python not to appear on Friday Night, Saturday Morning (1979).

Born on the same date as Vangelis.

Member of Monty Python along with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam.

Has homes in St Johns Wood, London and Provence, France.

Has a young daughter and an older son.

Directed The Frog Prince starring Robin Williams and The Rutles for American television.

Plays the guitar.

He was President of Cambridge Footlights '1964/65.

He's President of Prominent Features whose productions include Splitting Heirs A Fish Called Wanda, Erik the Viking, American Friends and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

Wrote the play Pass the Butler which ran in London's West End for 5 months.

He is president of Prominent Features who made A Fish Called Wanda, Eric the Viking, Splitting Heirs and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

Has a son and a daughter.

Wrote and directed the Beatles parody The Rutles.

Is passionate about football and plays chess, ping pong and guitar.

He has 10 'O' levels, 3 A levels, 1 'S' level and an Honors degree in English Literature from Cambridge University.

He was educated at The Royal School, Wolverhampton 1950 -62 and at Pembroke College, Cambridge 1962 -65.

His wife is American.