Before joining the Cambridge Footlight Dramatic Society, while studying medicine at Emmanuel College, he founded his own cabaret show. When he was invited to join the Society, he did the same year that John Cleese joined.
Born at 8:30am-BST
Co-author (with Barry Cryer) of the play "O Happy Day," which was discovered among his manuscripts and produced nearly eleven years after Chapman's death. "O Happy Day" had its world premiere on September 22, 2000, at Dad's Garage Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. A portion of Chapman's ashes were in attendance for the premiere.
Co-wrote several episodes of "Doctor in the House" (1969) and its sequels with John Cleese.
Died of cancer on 4th October 1989, just one day before the 20th anniversary of Monty Python. Terry Jones called it "The worst case of party-pooping I've ever seen.".
He and his longtime partner, TV writer David Sherlock, were among the co-writers of the British sitcom "Doctor in Charge" (1972). After Chapman's death, Sherlock contributed to The Pythons book. David was also the inspiration for many Monty Python sketches, including "Anne Elk" and was the originator of the Python sketch "Death of Mary Queen of Scots". David was one of several co-authors on "A Liar's Autobiography," the official Chapman memoir, and co-writer of the movie Yellowbeard (1983) in which Chapman played the title role.
His last appearance on film in Iron Maiden's promo for "Can I Play With Madness" was directed by Python Editor, Julian Doyle.
His parents were Walter and Edith.
Is the only member of Monty Python's Flying Circus who never worked in one of Terry Gilliam's non-Python projects.
Longtime (24 years) companion of David Sherlock. Together, the two raised a son, John Tomiczak.
Member of Monty Python along with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam.
Member of the comedy group "Monty Python".
Qualified at St. Bartholomew's hospital as a medical doctor.
Struggled with alcoholism, especially during the filming of Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975). According to Terry Gilliam, Chapman constantly forgot his lines and was so drunk during filming that he couldn't make it across the Bridge of Death, so the assistant cameraman had to double for him. Additionally, Chapman was genuinely struggling with the rock climbing scene because of his alcohol struggle, which surprised the other Pythons since they had known him to be an excellent climber and wondered if his suit was interfering with his climbing.
Studied Medicine at Cambridge University.
The last time he appeared on film, was in the Iron Maiden music video, "Can I Play With Madness", filmed in England April 1988.
Was going to play the part of the reporter in the "Red Dwarf" (1988) episode "Timeslides", but died before filming could begin. The part instead went to Ruby Wax, the wife of one of the show's directors Ed Bye.
Was the second tallest member of the Monty Python troupe, being an inch taller than Eric Idle and just over two inches shorter than John Cleese.
While at Cambridge University, was a member of the prestigious Cambridge University Footlights Club. He went to the USA with the Cambridge University Footlights Club revue in 1964 - appearing on stage in Broadway, and on the "Ed Sullivan Show".