Eric Idle was born on the 29th March 1943, in South Shields, County Durham, England, and is an actor, comedian, musician, singer, songwriter, but still best known to the world for being one of the Monty Pythons, and a part of the rock band The Rutles, a parody band inspired by the Beatles.
Have you ever wondered how rich Eric Idle is, as of mid- 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Idle’s net worth is as high as $40 million, an amount earned through his successful career, which started in the late ‘60s. Eric has also published a number of books, including “Hello Sailor” (1975), and “The Road to Mars” (1998), the sales of which have also improved his wealth.
Eric Idle Net Worth $40 Million
Eric is the son of Norah Barron, a health visitor, and Ernest Idle, who was in the Royal Air Force but was killed shortly after the war in a hitch-hiking accident. His mother had a tough time raising him and working at the same time, hence, she enrolled him in the boarding Royal Wolverhampton School when he was only seven years old. Unfortunately, his time there was troubled, as he was bullied by other boys. He found his solace listening to Radio Luxemburg and watching soccer games of the local club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. He enrolled at Pembroke College, Cambridge to study English language and while there he joined Cambridge University Footlights Club on the invitation of the president of the club, Tim Brooke-Taylor, and Bill Oddie, who was already a member. While at the University, Eric met and befriended his future colleagues and Monty Python co-founders, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, then Terry Jones, Terry Gillian, and Michael Palin.
They first worked together on Eric’s children’s television comedy series “Do Not Adjust Your Set”.
Then Eric began working on a comedy sketch show and invited others to join him. From 1969 until 1974, they filmed 46 episodes and became nationally known as Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Apart from the television show, the Monty Pythons appeared on stage, and in four films, including ‘Monty Python’s – “The Life of Brian”, – “and The Holy Grail” – “The Meaning of Life” which only increased Eric’s popularity and net worth as well.
After gaining massive popularity, all six members went their separate ways in the mid- ‘70s, with Eric creating the sketch show “Rutland Weekend Television (RWT), with the help of Neil Innes, who wrote the music for the show. RWT spawned a parody rock band The Rutles, inspired by the Beatles; in its original line-up, it comprised John Halsey and Rick Faatar, aside from Innes and Eric. They reached stardom with songs “Cheese and Onions”, “Piggy in the Middle”, and “I Must Be in Love”, among many other creations.
Eric has had further success in acting; back in 1990 he featured in the comedy film “Nuns on the Run” (1990), then in 1993 starred in the comedy “Splitting Heirs”, directed by Robert Young. In 2003 he gave voice to Declan Desmond in the animated TV series “The Simpsons”. In 2004 he wrote the script and music for the Broadway musical “Spamalot”, for which he won Tony Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, and Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
In recent years, Eric and the rest of the Monty Pythons appeared live in London’s O2 arena in 2014, which was made into the documentary “Monty Python Live (Mostly)”, and has been the host of the show “The Entire Universe” (2016).
Regarding his personal life, Eric has been married to Tania Kosevich since 1981; the couple has one child together. Previously, he was married to Lyn Ashley from 1969 to 1978, with whom he also has one child.
Thanks to his successful career, Eric received numerous recognitions, including being voted as the 21st favorite comedian out of 50 in The Comedian’s Comedian 2005 poll by comedians and comedy insiders, while also an asteroid 9620 Ericidle has been named in his honor.
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Broadway Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Drama Desk Award for Out...
Music Groups
Monty Python, The Rutles
Nominations
Tony Award for Best Original Score, Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical, Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Revival, DVD Premier Award for Best Audio Commen...
Movies
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Life of Brian, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, And Now for Something Completely Different, The Rutles, Casper, Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy), Splitting Heirs, Shrek the Third, Nuns on the Run, Absolut...
TV Shows
Monty Python's Flying Circus, Rutland Weekend Television, Do Not Adjust Your Set, At Last the 1948 Show, Suddenly Susan, Monty Python's Personal Best, Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python, Nearly Departed, Monty Python Live at Aspen, Python Night – 30 Years of Monty Python, No �...
#
Trademark
1
His characters on Monty Python were often mischievous and happy go lucky men.
2
Signature Song: "Always look on the bright side of Life"
#
Quote
1
At school we had a very soggy, muddy playing field and I wasn't very good at football, so on a Thursday afternoon, instead of changing for compulsory games, I'd put on my school cap, march out the front door, go down town to Wolverhampton and watch a movie. I did this regularly every Thursday afternoon, for ages and ages, marching boldly past the headmaster's study and nobody ever caught me, because if you've got your cap on and you're walking through the front door, you're clearly doing some school business, right? So, I learnt very early on that if you're brazen, nobody questions you. If I'd been sneaking out I would probably have been caught. Well I finally was caught in my penultimate year. The headmaster sent for me and he said, 'Did you enjoy the movie this afternoon?' And I annoyed him by saying, 'No, not very much sir, it wasn't very good.'
2
I like being a foreigner. For me to live in California is very pleasant - I'm more comfortable not feeling a part of everything, not feeling responsible for the government or the roads or the health system.
3
I can be very angry and acerbic. Therapy is really useful. It gives me a triangulation on myself: "I was this asshole the other day; why did I do that?"
4
The dreadful thing about getting older is you cry at the drop of a hat. I used to make fun of Richard Attenborough for crying. Now I'm turning into him. I can't remember anybody's names, so I call everybody "darling" and I cry all the time.
5
The secret of a good marriage is separate rooms. I've been with my current wife for 33 years and I can tell you that it works. I don't mean not having sex - you can shag anywhere. I think Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own applies to all human beings at all stages.
6
[on his last correspondence with Robin Williams] Robin was supposed to come and do the last night, and all the time I was getting emails from him, and he was going downhill. Then he said he could come, but he didn't want to be onstage. I said, 'I totally get that.' Because he was suffering from severe depression. Through my friend Bobcat Goldthwait we were in touch, and in the end he said, 'I can't come, I'm sorry, but I love you very much.' We realized afterwards he was saying goodbye.
7
[on the BBC in the 1960s] It was fabulous. It was the golden age of executives, there weren't any.
8
There's a legendary story of one of the Monty Python boys being interviewed on a tape recorder by a pretty Canadian journalist while actually in flagrante, but wild horses would not drag the name of the recipient of this in-depth interview from my lips. To talk seriously on the radio about comedy while porking the questioner is still something of a high spot in the history of irony.
9
He [Bill Murray] has such a lived-in face, and how rare it is to see a decent wrinkle on the screen. Hollywood is into facial prejudice in a big way. Age denial is the national sport.
10
Secondary music is really bad for you. It's worse than smoking. At least smoking doesn't stop your thinking, but Muzak makes me resentful and gloomy.
11
[on meeting George Harrison for the first time] He never shut up. Thank God.
12
We [Brits] like to call it [soccer] "football" because, unlike American football, it is played with the feet.
13
Of course I'm not ashamed to lose it in public anymore, but a blubbing comic just ain't entertaining.
14
Being an ex-Python is weird. I suppose we are all mistaken for the people we once were, that's what the fossilization of fame is all about, but we're not really them, are we? Those young men are long since gone. We have to talk about them as though we still are them, but we're not, you know. They were smart, young, and terribly clever. We older, wider, and grayer men are their descendants. I used to be Eric Idle in Monty Python. But now I'm not. I'm not even like him. He drank and smoked and ate meat. He was married to a blond Australian. I'm none of the above.
15
[on his education] I did S Level. Nobody's ever done S Level, because it's above A Level and I once found somebody else who'd done it and we reckoned we were the only two people in England who ever did S Level!
16
[on Graham Chapman's funeral] The reaction was uproarious as he [John Cleese] became funnier and funnier, and in the end the spirit of Graham was released, and we all felt liberated. Yes of course everyone was sad and in tears, but we were laughing. After that, the hardest thing I ever had to do was sing 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.' For a moment trying to sing it was just terrible for me, because music makes you weep, while comedy makes you weep and laugh , but because of all the earlier laughter I got through it.
17
No gentleman talks to anyone before noon. One of the reasons I write alone is that I can't bear speaking to anyone first thing in the morning.
18
Comedians are not normal people. It is not a normal thing to do. You don't become a comedian without some early traumatizing experience, so comedy is also a coping mechanism.
19
I'm just trying to earn enough to get my daughter through college and my wife through collagen.
20
[1975] A comedian must never be vulnerable. The great comedians are always apparently invulnerable on stage although off stage they were not such supermen.
21
I used to bridle when people used to describe us all as 'public school' - it's not true. Graham was Leicester Grammar, Terry was grammar, I was this nightmare school and Michael was Shrewsbury, which is a public school, and John was at Clifton, also a public school. That's two out of six.
22
[talking about the orphanage/boarding school he grew up in] I still have nightmares that I'm back at the Ophney. It was a physically abusive, bullying, harsh environment for a kid to grow up in, a boarding school where nobody had any fathers. The terms were interminable, fourteen weeks with no emotional support.
23
I think there's something very seductive about the glamour of dressing up and playing somebody else, and that comes from a sadness. I think I only became any good eventually through Python by being disguised and by being other people and it was only latterly in my life that I have been able to be funny as myself or be confident. I don't have to put on a disguise or wear a wig now but that's what I used to do.
24
I was a war baby. My earliest memories are of a Wellington bomber crashing in flames into the field beside my nursery school. I remember being forced into a Mickey Mouse gas mask, instilling a lifelong fear of rubber masks and the eponymous rodent.
25
When we got to North America it was extraordinary to find that everybody assumed that we were totally stoned all the time while making it up. You had to point out to people that actually you can't write comedy when you're stoned, you can't find the typewriter, but a lot of people still say to this day, 'Oh when I was a college kid, man, we'd just get a joint and watch Python and we'd laugh and laugh.' And you think, 'Well, actually you didn't need Python, you could just look at the wallpaper!'
I've been trying to write musicals since I did The Mikado (1987) with Jonathan Miller and the ENO in 1987. I'd do new gags each night. I thought, "I like this - we should find a subject". It took me about 20 years to find a subject.
28
The odd thing is I knew that if [Spamalot] was going to be successful it would have to appeal to people who weren't just Python fans. What happened was that Middle America discovered Python through Spamalot.
29
Americans like to think Python is how English people really are. There is an element of truth to that.
30
We couldn't get [Life of Brian (1979)] made then. We looked and looked for money and we couldn't find anyone to back it. Only George Harrison would back it - and that's because he mortgaged his house.
31
There was a time when we were almost universally hated by large sections of society. Now that we are the cuddly old farts of comedy, I rather miss the hatred.
32
If the studios paid the artists, how would they ever be able to afford the executives?
33
[on his favourite sexual position] Flat on my back with my wallet open.
34
[on gay marriage] It's about time they suffered too.
35
John Cleese once told me he'd do anything for money. So I offered him a pound to shut up, and he took it.
#
Fact
1
John Du Prez and he were awarded the 2010 Musical Score for "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
2
On November 12, 2008 Eric performs 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.
3
On October 15, 2009 - Eric and the other surviving members of Monty Python accept the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award on the 40th Anniversary of Monty Python in New York.
4
On August 12, 2012 Eric performs "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.
On July 1st - 5th & July 15th - 20th, 2014 The Pythons perform Monty Python Live (mostly) at the O2 to sold out crows of 16,000 for each of the 10 nights, Eric Idle wrote and directed the show.
7
Longtime advocate for women's rights and animal rights.
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.
10
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]
11
Producer of hit Broadway musical 'Monty Python's Spamalot' ("lovingly ripped-off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).") [February 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).
Admired by the other Pythons for his circle of friends, it was he who procured part of the production money for Life of Brian (1979) from former Beatle George Harrison.
20
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.
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.
23
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.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 225-226. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
26
Is an accomplished guitar player.
27
Proudly calls himself "the third tallest member of Monty Python."
28
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.
29
The only member of the Monty Python group to write alone.
30
Eric's father, who served in the Royal Air Force, died in a car crash on Christmas eve when he was two years old.
31
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.
Dead Collector Peasant 1 Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Launcelot ...
Monty Python's Flying Circus
1969-1974
TV Series
Various / Clerk / Professor / ...
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
1972
TV Series
Torch Runner / Farmer with dog / Shakespearean Expert / ...
And Now for Something Completely Different
1971
Prosecutor Marriage Counselor Arthur Nudge ...
Euroshow 71
1971
TV Movie
Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
A Christmas Night with the Stars
1969
TV Series
Various - Monty Python's Flying Circus segment
Do Not Adjust Your Set
1967-1969
TV Series
Various Characters / Various
We Have Ways of Making You Laugh
1968
TV Series
Various
No, That's Me Over Here!
1967
TV Series
TV announcer
At Last the 1948 Show
1967
TV Series
End of row opera patron / Beethoven patient / waiter / ...
Alice in Wonderland
1966
TV Movie
Young Man (uncredited)
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
2014
What About Dick?
2012
Video
Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy
2010
The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch
2004
TV Special
Eric Idle: Exploits Monty Python
2002
Pirates: 3D Show
1999
Short writer
Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python
1999
TV Movie documentary
Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail
1996
Video Game screenplay "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
Splitting Heirs
1993
written by
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python
1989
TV Special sketches
The Meaning of Life
1983
written by
Faerie Tale Theatre
1982
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
Documentary written by
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever
1981
TV Special segment "Rutland Weekend Television"
Life of Brian
1979
written by
The Two Ronnies
TV Series writer - 7 episodes, 1971 written by - 3 episodes, 1976 - 1978
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
1978
TV Movie conceived and written by
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
1976
TV Movie documentary writer
Rutland Weekend Television
TV Series 1 episode, 1975 writer - 13 episodes, 1975 - 1976
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975
written by
Christmas Box
1974
TV Movie
Monty Python's Flying Circus
TV Series written by - 43 episodes, 1969 - 1974 creator - 1 episode, 1973 additional material - 1 episode, 1969 conceived and written by - 1 episode, 1969
Funny Ha-Ha
1974
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
1972
TV Series written by
A Christmas Night with the Stars
TV Series 1 episode, 1969 script: The Two Ronnies - 1 episode, 1971
And Now for Something Completely Different
1971
screen foreplay & conception
Ronnie Corbett in Bed
1971
TV Movie
The Ronnie Barker Yearbook
1971
TV Movie
Hark at Barker
1969
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Do Not Adjust Your Set
TV Series written by - 12 episodes, 1967 - 1968 writer - 1 episode, 1969
Albert Carter, Q.O.S.O.
1968
Short writer
Broaden Your Mind
1968
TV Series additional material - 1 episode
According to Dora
1968
TV Series writer - 1 episode
We Have Ways of Making You Laugh
1968
TV Series writer
BBC Show of the Week
1968
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Twice a Fortnight
1968
TV Series additional material - 1 episode
No, That's Me Over Here!
1967
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Frost Report
1966
TV Series
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
EastEnders
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 1991 writer - 1 episode, 1991
Missing Pieces
1991
performer: "HIGH ENERGY"
Nearly Departed
1989
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
1988
lyrics: "The Torturer's Apprentice" / music: "The Torturer's Apprentice"
Transport
1983
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Crimson Permanent Assurance
1983
Short lyrics: "Accountancy Shanty" / music: "Accountancy Shanty"
The Meaning of Life
1983
lyrics: "The Meaning of Life", "Galaxy Song", "Accountancy Shanty", "Penis Song" / music: "The Meaning of Life", "Oh Lord Please Don't Burn Us", "Galaxy Song", "Accountancy Shanty", "Penis Song", "Christmas in Heaven" / performer: "The Meaning of Life", "Every Sperm Is Sacred", "Galaxy Song", "Penis Song"
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
1982
Documentary writer: "Sit On My Face", "Bruces' Philosophers Song"
Life of Brian
1979
music: "Bright Side Of Life" / performer: "Bright Side Of Life"
Saturday Night Live
1976-1978
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Monty Python's Flying Circus
1972
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Do Not Adjust Your Set
1969
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Britain's Got Talent
TV Series performer - 2 episodes, 2015 writer - 2 episodes, 2015
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2015
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Boxtrolls
2014
lyrics: "The Boxtrolls Song" / music: "The Boxtrolls Song"
Lucky Stiff
2014
performer: "Lucky Stiff"
Gent de paraula
TV Series lyrics - 1 episode, 2014 music - 1 episode, 2014 performer - 1 episode, 2014
Some Jerk with a Camera
2012
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
The X Factor
TV Series performer - 2 episodes, 2010 - 2012 writer - 2 episodes, 2010 - 2012
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
2012
"Bruce's Song" / writer: "Medical Love Song"
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music
2012
TV Movie performer: "Always Look on the Bright Side Of Life" - uncredited / writer: "Always Look on the Bright Side Of Life" - uncredited
No me la puc treure del cap
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012