Carol Cleveland
Carol Cleveland (born 13 January 1942) is a British-American actress and comedian, particularly known for her work with Monty Python.
Carol Cleveland | |
|---|---|
 Carol Cleveland in 2009 | |
| Born | 13 January 1942 East Sheen, London, England |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Spouse |
Peter Brett
(m. 1971; div. 1983) |
| Website | www |
Early life
Born in East Sheen, London, she moved to the United States with her mother and U.S. Air Force stepfather at an early age. She was brought up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lubbock, Texas; and later Pasadena, California, where she attended John Marshall Junior High School and Pasadena High School. She is a former Miss California Navy and appeared as Miss Teen Queen in MAD Magazine at age 15.[1] Cleveland was Miss Teen in the August 1958 issue of Dig magazine.
Cleveland returned with her family to London in 1960,[2] and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[3]
Career
A stage actress and model who had appeared in The Persuaders!, a secretary in The Saint, a lover of Peter Wyngarde's character in The Avengers TV series episode "A Touch of Brimstone" (1966) and other TV shows and films, she started to appear in BBC comedy productions, including The Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise and various vehicles for Spike Milligan.
Monty Python
Her comedy acting brought her to the attention of the production team of Monty Python's Flying Circus. She appeared in 30 of the 45 episodes in the series, plus all four Monty Python movies. Cleveland has contributed to many post-Python projects including the Concert for George[3] and Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy). She has also appeared in many documentaries about the group's history, including Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut).
Other work
Cleveland was voted number three in Splendor magazine's "100 Most Beautiful Entertainers" list in 1972.
In 1986, Cleveland played an American television journalist in Only Fools and Horses, in the episode "The Miracle of Peckham"; then in 1995, Cleveland had a small cameo in a sketch within Fist of Fun, a BBC comedy show featuring Stewart Lee and Richard Herring. In 2022, Cleveland appeared in an episode of First Dates.[4]
Filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Dixon of Dock Green | Sandra | Episode: "A Quiet, Ordinary Woman" |
| 1963 | ITV Play of the Week | Marion | Episode: "The Touch of a Dead Hand" |
| 1963 | The Sentimental Agent | Shelah | Episode: "May the Saints Preserve Us" |
| 1963 | The Saint | Marion Kent | Episode: "The Sporting Chance" |
| 1964 | No Hiding Place | Samantha Kay | Episode: "The Things Money Can Buy" |
| 1964 | ITV Play of the Week | Helen Carver | Episode: "Design for Living" |
| 1964 | ITV Play of the Week | Celia | Episode: "The Other Man" |
| 1964 | ITV Play of the Week | Katie | Episode: "A Really Good Jazz Piano" |
| 1965 | The Ambassadors | Mamie Pocock | TV film |
| 1965 | The Saint | Gloria Mancini | Episode: "The Crime of the Century" |
| 1965 | The Man in Room 17 | Marya Ference | Episode: "A Minor Operation" |
| 1966 | The Avengers | Sara | Episode: "A Touch of Brimstone" |
| 1966 | BBC Play of the Month | Barbara Davies | Episode: "Lee Oswald: Assassin" |
| 1967 | The Reluctant Romeo | Natalie | Episode: "A Tale of Two Secretaries" |
| 1967 | Man in a Suitcase | Miss Dinsdale | Episode: "The Sitting Pigeon" |
| 1968 | Love Story | Waitress | Episode: "The Egg on the Face of the Tiger" |
| 1968 | Journey to the Unknown | Lisa | Episode: "Do Me a Favor and Kill Me" |
| 1969 | Father, Dear Father | Bunny Mother | Episode: "We Can't Afford a Carriage" |
| 1969–1974 | Monty Python's Flying Circus | Various | 33 episodes |
| 1969 | Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) | Laura Slade | Episode: "For the Girl Who Has Everything" |
| 1970 | Foreign Exchange | Girl | TV film |
| 1971 | The Liver Birds | Fiancée | Episode: "The New Neighbour" |
| 1971 | The Persuaders! | Girl at Airport | Episode: "Element of Risk" |
| 1972 | The Lotus Eaters | Leigh Mervish | 5 episodes |
| 1973 | Now Look Here | Nina | Episode: #2.1 |
| 1973 | Doctor in Charge | Nurse Dobbs | Episode: "Men Without Women" |
| 1973 | Crime of Passion | Suzy | Episode: "Chantal" |
| 1974 | The Last Turkey in the Shop Show | Various | TV film |
| 1978 | Mike Yarwood in Persons | Sadie | Episode: #2.5 |
| 1985 | Are You Being Served? | Lady Customer | Episode: "Friends and Neighbours" |
| 1986 | Hilary | Victoria Sands | Episode: "Over the Hill?" |
| 1986 | Only Fools and Horses | Sandra Potts | Episode: "The Miracle of Peckham" |
| 1991 | About Face | Mrs. Rodgers | Episode: "Tourist Attraction" |
| 1992 | Land of Hope and Gloria | Loretta | Episode: "The Authentic Taste of England" |
| 1995 | Fist of Fun | Mrs. Neil | Episode: #1.3 |
| 2013 | Toast of London | Brooke Hooberman | Episode: "The End" |
| 2022 | First Dates | Herself | Episode: #18.2 |
References
- "Carol Cleveland Press Article". Carolcleveland.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- "Carol Cleveland's Bio Page". Carolcleveland.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- Hogan, Michael (22 June 2014). "Carol Cleveland interview: 'I loved every minute of Python, but in some respects, it has been a ball and chain'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- "Monty Python's Carol Cleveland does C4's First Dates". Chortle. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
