Events

[LECTURE] Actor, comedian, writer John Cleese is that special combination of both distinguished (as the namesake of this speaker series would imply) and goofballish. Typically the consummate gentlemanly character, his roles in the Monty Python series always tended to spiral into the absurd. As writer he’s known for the critically acclaimed comedy, A Fish Called Wanda, in which he plays a witty yet uptight investigator. A younger generation might recognize him as Nearly Headless Nick in the Harry Potter universe. The constant variable throughout his acting career, though, is his commitment to the absurd, silly, and farcical characters he’s gravitated toward. Throughout his career, the 77-year-old actor has also been a vocal activist for causes such as education, and workers rights. The famous film and television actor will speak twice as part of the UB Distinguished Speakers series, this Friday, December 9 at 7pm and then again at 9:30pm.