Graham Chapman - Revision history

~2025-43242-36: /* Other work */ Removed unnecessary underscores.

2025-12-28T01:31:04Z

Other work: Removed unnecessary underscores.

← Previous revision		Revision as of 01:31, 28 December 2025
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	Chapman was born in [[Leicester]] and was raised in [[Melton Mowbray]]. He enjoyed science, acting, and comedy and after graduating from [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]], and [[St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College]], he turned down a career as a doctor to be a comedian. Chapman eventually established a writing partnership with [[John Cleese]], which reached its critical peak with Monty Python during the 1970s. He subsequently left Britain for Los Angeles, where he attempted to be a success on American television, speaking on the college circuit and producing the pirate film ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), before returning to Britain in the early 1980s.		Chapman was born in [[Leicester]] and was raised in [[Melton Mowbray]]. He enjoyed science, acting, and comedy and after graduating from [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]], and [[St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College]], he turned down a career as a doctor to be a comedian. Chapman eventually established a writing partnership with [[John Cleese]], which reached its critical peak with Monty Python during the 1970s. He subsequently left Britain for Los Angeles, where he attempted to be a success on American television, speaking on the college circuit and producing the pirate film ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), before returning to Britain in the early 1980s.

	Chapman ~~was gay and a supporter of [[LGBT rights in the United Kingdom\|gay rights]] and~~ was in a [[Domestic partnership\|long-term partnership]] with David Sherlock. He was an alcoholic from his time at Cambridge until he quit drinking shortly before working on ''Life of Brian''. He became an enthusiast and patron of the [[Dangerous Sports Club]] in the later years of his life. In 1989, Chapman died of [[tonsil cancer]] which had spread to his spine. His life and legacy were commemorated at a memorial service in the Great Hall of [[St Bartholomew's Hospital]] two months after his death, which was a testament to Chapman's surreal sense of humour that the remaining five Pythons enacted.		Chapman was in a [[Domestic partnership\|long-term partnership]] with David Sherlock and supportive of [[LGBT rights in the United Kingdom\|gay rights]]. He was an alcoholic from his time at Cambridge until he quit drinking shortly before working on ''Life of Brian''. He became an enthusiast and patron of the [[Dangerous Sports Club]] in the later years of his life. In 1989, Chapman died of [[tonsil cancer]] which had spread to his spine. His life and legacy were commemorated at a memorial service in the Great Hall of [[St Bartholomew's Hospital]] two months after his death, which was a testament to Chapman's surreal sense of humour that the remaining five Pythons enacted.

	== Early life and education ==		== Early life and education ==
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	=== Other work ===		=== Other work ===
	In 1975, Chapman and [[Douglas Adams]] wrote a pilot for a television series, entitled ''[[Out of the Trees]]'', but it received poor ratings after being broadcast at the same time as ''[[Match of the Day]]'' and only the initial episode was produced.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=195}} In 1978, Chapman co-wrote the comedy film ''[[The Odd Job]]'' with McKenna and starred as one of the main characters. Chapman wanted his friend [[Keith Moon]] to play a co-lead role alongside him, but Moon could not pass an acting test, so the part went to [[David Jason]] who had previously appeared on ''[[Do Not Adjust Your Set]]'' with Pythons Idle, Jones and Palin. The film was moderately successful.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|pp=207, 208}} Chapman guest-starred on several television series including ''[[The Big Show (TV series)\|The Big Show]]''.{{sfn\|McCall\|2013\|p=75}}		In 1975, Chapman and [[Douglas Adams]] wrote a pilot for a television series, entitled ''[[Out of the Trees]]'', but it received poor ratings after being broadcast at the same time as ''[[Match of the Day]]'' and only the initial episode was produced.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=195}} In 1978, Chapman co-wrote the comedy film ''[[The Odd Job]]'' with [[Bernard McKenna (writer)\|Bernard McKenna]] and starred as one of the main characters. Chapman wanted his friend [[Keith Moon]] to play a co-lead role alongside him, but Moon could not pass an acting test, so the part went to [[David Jason]] who had previously appeared on ''[[Do Not Adjust Your Set]]'' with Pythons Idle, Jones and Palin. The film was moderately successful.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|pp=207, 208}} Chapman guest-starred on several television series including ''[[The Big Show (TV series)\|The Big Show]]''.{{sfn\|McCall\|2013\|p=75}}

	In 1976, Chapman began writing a pirate film, ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), which came out of conversations between Chapman and Moon while in Los Angeles. Moon had always wanted to play [[Long John Silver]], so Chapman began to write a script for him.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=228}} Moon died in 1978 and the work stalled, eventually being rewritten by McKenna, then by [[Peter Cook]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|pp=234–235}} The film, which starred Chapman as the eponymous pirate, also featured appearances from Cook, Marty Feldman, Cleese, Idle, [[Spike Milligan]] and [[Cheech & Chong]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=236}} It marked the last appearance of Feldman, who suffered a fatal heart attack in December 1982.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=238}} The project was fraught with financial difficulties and at times there was not enough money to pay the crew.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=237}} It was released to mixed reviews. [[David Robinson (film critic)\|David Robinson]], reviewing the film in ''[[The Times]]'', said that "the Monty Python style of comic anarchy requires more than scatology, rude words and funny faces".{{sfn\|McCall\|2013\|p=97}}		In 1976, Chapman began writing a pirate film, ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), which came out of conversations between Chapman and Moon while in Los Angeles. Moon had always wanted to play [[Long John Silver]], so Chapman began to write a script for him.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=228}} Moon died in 1978 and the work stalled, eventually being rewritten by McKenna, then by [[Peter Cook]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|pp=234–235}} The film, which starred Chapman as the eponymous pirate, also featured appearances from Cook, Marty Feldman, Cleese, Idle, [[Spike Milligan]] and [[Cheech & Chong]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=236}} It marked the last appearance of Feldman, who suffered a fatal heart attack in December 1982.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=238}} The project was fraught with financial difficulties and at times there was not enough money to pay the crew.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=237}} It was released to mixed reviews. [[David Robinson (film critic)\|David Robinson]], reviewing the film in ''[[The Times]]'', said that "the Monty Python style of comic anarchy requires more than scatology, rude words and funny faces".{{sfn\|McCall\|2013\|p=97}}
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	In 1988 Chapman made a routine visit to a dentist, who found a small, malignant tumour on one of his [[tonsil]]s, leading to both being removed via a [[tonsillectomy]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=243}} The following year it was discovered that the cancer had spread into Chapman's [[spinal column]], where another tumour was surgically removed. Chapman had several [[chemotherapy]] treatments and surgeries during the final months of his life, but ultimately the cancer was declared inoperable.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|pp=244–245}} According to his brother, Chapman was visibly upset by the death of his mother that July, by which time he was [[terminally ill]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=246}} Shortly afterwards, Chapman filmed scenes for the 20th anniversary of the first broadcast of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', the final time he appeared on television.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=252}}<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3093564.stm \|work=BBC News \|title=Monty Python reunion 'unlikely' \|date=9 September 2003 \|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>		In 1988 Chapman made a routine visit to a dentist, who found a small, malignant tumour on one of his [[tonsil]]s, leading to both being removed via a [[tonsillectomy]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=243}} The following year it was discovered that the cancer had spread into Chapman's [[spinal column]], where another tumour was surgically removed. Chapman had several [[chemotherapy]] treatments and surgeries during the final months of his life, but ultimately the cancer was declared inoperable.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|pp=244–245}} According to his brother, Chapman was visibly upset by the death of his mother that July, by which time he was [[terminally ill]].{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=246}} Shortly afterwards, Chapman filmed scenes for the 20th anniversary of the first broadcast of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'', the final time he appeared on television.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=252}}<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3093564.stm \|work=BBC News \|title=Monty Python reunion 'unlikely' \|date=9 September 2003 \|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>

	Chapman died on 4 October 1989 in [[Maidstone Hospital]] from resulting complications, aged 48.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=251}} At the time of his death, he was being visited by Sherlock, brother John and his sister-in-law, and fellow Pythons Palin and Cleese, the latter of whom had to be led out of the room to deal with his grief.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=251}}{{sfn\|Marasco\|Shuff\|2010\|p=94}}		Chapman died on 4 October 1989 in [[Maidstone Hospital]] from resulting complications, aged 48.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=251}} At the time of his death, he was being visited by Sherlock, his brother John and his sister-in-law, and fellow Pythons Palin and Cleese, the latter of whom had to be led out of the room to deal with his grief.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=251}}{{sfn\|Marasco\|Shuff\|2010\|p=94}}

	Palin was alone with Chapman when he died, and recounted the moment of death in his diary entry of 4 October 1989:		Palin was alone with Chapman when he died, and recounted the moment of death in his diary entry of 4 October 1989:
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	== Legacy ==		== Legacy ==
	{{quotebox\|width=350px\|quote="We would only do a reunion if Chapman came back from the dead. So we're negotiating with his agent."\|source=Eric Idle on speculation of a Monty Python reunion<ref>{{cite news \|first=Brian \|last=Logan \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/nov/19/monty-python-reunion-andy-kaufman \|title=Monty Python drop heavy hints about reunion \|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] \|location=London \|date=19 November 2013 \|access-date=17 May 2015}}</ref>}}		{{quotebox
			\| width = 350px
			\| quote = "We would only do a reunion if Chapman came back from the dead. So we're negotiating with his agent."
			\| source = Eric Idle on speculation of a Monty Python reunion<ref>{{cite news \|first=Brian \|last=Logan \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/nov/19/monty-python-reunion-andy-kaufman \|title=Monty Python drop heavy hints about reunion \|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] \|location=London \|date=19 November 2013 \|access-date=17 May 2015}}</ref>
			}}

	Following Chapman's death, reformations of the Pythons have included an urn said to contain his [[cremation\|ashes]]. At the 1998 Aspen Comedy Arts festival, the urn, brought onstage by a stiff English butler, was "accidentally" knocked over by Terry Gilliam, spilling the "ashes" on-stage. The apparently cremated remains were then removed with a [[DustBuster]].<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/63795.stm \|title=And now for something completely different (and plenty that isn't) \|work=BBC News \|date=9 March 1998 \|access-date=1 July 2007}}</ref> Idle recalled meeting Sherlock, saying "I wish he [Chapman] was here now" and Sherlock replied "Oh, but he is. He's in my pocket!"{{sfn\|Chapman\|Yoakum\|2006\|p=54}}		Following Chapman's death, reformations of the Pythons have included an urn said to contain his [[cremation\|ashes]]. At the 1998 Aspen Comedy Arts festival, the urn, brought onstage by a stiff English butler, was "accidentally" knocked over by Terry Gilliam, spilling the "ashes" on-stage. The apparently cremated remains were then removed with a [[DustBuster]].<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/63795.stm \|title=And now for something completely different (and plenty that isn't) \|work=BBC News \|date=9 March 1998 \|access-date=1 July 2007}}</ref> Idle recalled meeting Sherlock, saying "I wish he [Chapman] was here now" and Sherlock replied "Oh, but he is. He's in my pocket!"{{sfn\|Chapman\|Yoakum\|2006\|p=54}}
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	* Graham Chapman at [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/chapman_graham.shtml the BBC Comedy Guide]		* Graham Chapman at [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/chapman_graham.shtml the BBC Comedy Guide]
	* Graham Chapman at [http://www.comedy-zone.net/standup/comedian/c/chapman-graham.htm the Comedy Zone]		* Graham Chapman at [http://www.comedy-zone.net/standup/comedian/c/chapman-graham.htm the Comedy Zone]
	* Graham Chapman at [http://www.fyne.co.uk/index.php?item=461 Gay Greats]		* Graham Chapman at [http://www.fyne.co.uk/index.php?item=461 Gay Greats] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055305/http://www.fyne.co.uk/index.php?item=461 \|date=16 July 2011 }}

	{{Graham Chapman\|state=collapsed}}		{{Graham Chapman\|state=collapsed}}

imported>BlueboyLINY: Reverting edit(s) by MeryllM (talk) to rev. 1320218059 by Smasongarrison: Reverting good faith edits: WP:AINTBROKE (UV 0.1.6)

2025-11-06T19:55:54Z

Reverting edit(s) by MeryllM (talk) to rev. 1320218059 by Smasongarrison: Reverting good faith edits: WP:AINTBROKE (UV 0.1.6)

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imported>Dode222: /* Illness and death */

2025-06-13T17:29:51Z

Illness and death

← Previous revision		Revision as of 17:29, 13 June 2025
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	Chapman was born in [[Leicester]] and was raised in [[Melton Mowbray]]. He enjoyed science, acting, and comedy and after graduating from [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]], and [[St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College]], he turned down a career as a doctor to be a comedian. Chapman eventually established a writing partnership with [[John Cleese]], which reached its critical peak with Monty Python during the 1970s. He subsequently left Britain for Los Angeles, where he attempted to be a success on American television, speaking on the college circuit and producing the pirate film ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), before returning to Britain in the early 1980s.		Chapman was born in [[Leicester]] and was raised in [[Melton Mowbray]]. He enjoyed science, acting, and comedy and after graduating from [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]], and [[St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College]], he turned down a career as a doctor to be a comedian. Chapman eventually established a writing partnership with [[John Cleese]], which reached its critical peak with Monty Python during the 1970s. He subsequently left Britain for Los Angeles, where he attempted to be a success on American television, speaking on the college circuit and producing the pirate film ''[[Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), before returning to Britain in the early 1980s.

	Chapman was openly ~~homosexual~~ and a supporter of [[LGBT rights in the United Kingdom\|gay rights]] and was in a [[Domestic partnership\|long-term partnership]] with David Sherlock. He was an alcoholic from his time at Cambridge until he quit drinking shortly before working on ''Life of Brian''. He became an enthusiast and patron of the [[Dangerous Sports Club]] in the later years of his life. In 1989, Chapman died of [[Oropharyngeal cancer\|tonsil cancer]] which had spread to his spine. His life and legacy were commemorated at a memorial service in the Great Hall of [[St Bartholomew's Hospital]] two months after his death, which was a testimony to Chapman's surreal sense of humour that the remaining five Pythons enacted.		Chapman was openly gay and a supporter of [[LGBT rights in the United Kingdom\|gay rights]] and was in a [[Domestic partnership\|long-term partnership]] with David Sherlock. He was an alcoholic from his time at Cambridge until he quit drinking shortly before working on ''Life of Brian''. He became an enthusiast and patron of the [[Dangerous Sports Club]] in the later years of his life. In 1989, Chapman died of [[Oropharyngeal cancer\|tonsil cancer]] which had spread to his spine. His life and legacy were commemorated at a memorial service in the Great Hall of [[St Bartholomew's Hospital]] two months after his death, which was a testimony to Chapman's surreal sense of humour that the remaining five Pythons enacted.

	== Early life and education ==		== Early life and education ==
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	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==
	[[File:Graham Chapman's house in Highgate.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Chapman lived in this house in [[Highgate]] with his partner David Sherlock during the 1970s.]]		[[File:Graham Chapman's house in Highgate.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Chapman lived in this house in [[Highgate]] with his partner David Sherlock during the 1970s.]]
	Chapman first met his long-term partner David Sherlock in [[Ibiza]] in 1966.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=60}} He later described realising he was ~~homosexual~~ as "an important moment in my life".{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=64}}<ref name="theguardian">{{cite news \|last1=Levy \|first1=Ken \|title=Graham Chapman: an unlikely friendship with a Monty Python star \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/01/graham-chapman-monty-python-star-and-me \|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] \|date=1 July 2014 \|access-date=16 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="oip">{{cite web \|title=On This Gay Day: 'Monty Python' actor Graham Chapman was born \|url=https://www.outinperth.com/on-this-gay-day-monty-python-actor-graham-chapman-was-born/ \|website=Out in Perth \|date=7 January 2024 \|access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref>		Chapman first met his long-term partner David Sherlock in [[Ibiza]] in 1966.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=60}} He later described realising he was gay as "an important moment in my life".{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=64}}<ref name="theguardian">{{cite news \|last1=Levy \|first1=Ken \|title=Graham Chapman: an unlikely friendship with a Monty Python star \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/01/graham-chapman-monty-python-star-and-me \|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] \|date=1 July 2014 \|access-date=16 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="oip">{{cite web \|title=On This Gay Day: 'Monty Python' actor Graham Chapman was born \|url=https://www.outinperth.com/on-this-gay-day-monty-python-actor-graham-chapman-was-born/ \|website=Out in Perth \|date=7 January 2024 \|access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref>

	The following year, he told his close friends, including Cleese and Feldman, about his relationship.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=73}} Chapman and Sherlock moved to [[Belsize Park]] in 1968,{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=84}} and the pair enjoyed visiting gay clubs in Central London.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=85}} In the early 1970s, after Chapman had found fame with Monty Python, they moved to a house in [[Highgate]], North London.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=124}}		The following year, he told his close friends, including Cleese and Feldman, about his relationship.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=73}} Chapman and Sherlock moved to [[Belsize Park]] in 1968,{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=84}} and the pair enjoyed visiting gay clubs in Central London.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=85}} In the early 1970s, after Chapman had found fame with Monty Python, they moved to a house in [[Highgate]], North London.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=124}}
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	There's noise outside. The clatter of patients and visiting friends. I call John and David to go in. They re-emerge a minute or so later. Graham is dead. It's about twenty past seven.<ref>[[Michael Palin\|Palin, Michael]] (2014). ''Travelling to Work: Diaries 1988-1998''. St. Martin's Press, p.74. ISBN 978-250-07707-3.</ref></blockquote>		There's noise outside. The clatter of patients and visiting friends. I call John and David to go in. They re-emerge a minute or so later. Graham is dead. It's about twenty past seven.<ref>[[Michael Palin\|Palin, Michael]] (2014). ''Travelling to Work: Diaries 1988-1998''. St. Martin's Press, p.74. ISBN 978-250-07707-3.</ref></blockquote>

	Peter Cook had intended to visit, but arrived too late and was visibly shaken by the news.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=251}} Chapman's death occurred on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Pythons' collective debut on British television, and Jones called it "the worst case of party-pooping in all history".{{sfn\|Marasco\|Shuff\|2010\|p=94}}		[[Peter Cook]] had intended to visit, but arrived too late and was visibly shaken by the news.{{sfn\|McCabe\|2005\|p=251}} Chapman's death occurred on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Pythons' collective debut on British television, and Jones called it "the worst case of party-pooping in all history".{{sfn\|Marasco\|Shuff\|2010\|p=94}}

	=== Memorial service ===		=== Memorial service ===
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	[[Category:People from Melton Mowbray]]		[[Category:People from Melton Mowbray]]
	[[Category:People from Wigston Magna]]		[[Category:People from Wigston Magna]]
	[[Category:~~Television~~ show creators]]		[[Category:British television show creators]]

imported>FMSky: Restored revision 1285360288 by Martinevans123 (talk)

2025-05-01T04:18:01Z

Restored revision 1285360288 by Martinevans123 (talk)

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