Michael Palin

Michael Palin is an Earth actor of the 20th and 21st centuries who is best known as one of the founding members of the British comedy troupe Monty Python's Flying Circus. Later in his career he also became known for appearing in numerous documentary TV series following his extensive travels around the planet, such as Around the World in 80 Days and Pole to Pole. It is in the context of referencing this later work that Donna Noble's mother once compared her daughter to Palin after Donna indicated a desire to travel (DW: Partners in Crime).

Behind the scenes
Michael Palin turned down the role of the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who. [Doctor Who: Regenerations]