John Cleese

John Cleese (born 27 October 1939) played an art gallery visitor in the Doctor Who story City of Death, written by Douglas Adams. Best known for his work on Monty Python's Flying Circus (a series to which Adams also contributed), Cleese moved on from Python to star in the classic sitcom Fawlty Towers (which was in production around the time of his Doctor Who appearance), and in the 1980s established himself as an acclaimed character actor, with roles ranging from the dramatic (the western Silverado) to award-winning comic roles (such as the hit film A Fish Called Wanda and an Emmy-winning appearance on Cheers). In the 1990s he joined the James Bond film franchise as the new Q, most recently appearing in that role in Die Another Day (2002). He also appears in several of the Harry Potter films as "Nearly Headless Nick".

Although five of the six main Monty Python members have been rumoured to be considered for the role of the Doctor (the one exception being the American-born Terry Gilliam), Cleese remains the only one to actually appear on the series. Michael Palin was mentioned in the Doctor Who story Partners in Crime.

In the Doctor Who universe
John Cleese was referenced by name in EDA: Timeless in connection to one of his Monty Python sketches set in a chemist's shop. In PDA: Spiral Scratch, the Sixth Doctor said that "John and Connie" (Booth) were good friends of his, justifying his immediate recognition of a Fawlty Towers quote.