View source for Graham Chapman

{{Short description|British actor, comedian and writer (1941–1989) born in England}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Graham Chapman
| image              = Graham Chapman Portrait.png
| alt = A black-and-white photo of Chapman with a pipe
| caption            =
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1941|1|8|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[w:Leicester|Leicester]], England
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|1989|10|4|1941|1|8|df=yes}}
| death_place        = [[w:Maidstone|Maidstone]], England
| resting_place      = Ashes given to family or friends
| occupation         = {{Flatlist|
* Actor
* comedian
* writer
}}
| other_names        = Gray Chapman
| alma_mater         = [[w:Emmanuel College, Cambridge|Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]<br />[[w:St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College|St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College]]
| partner            = David Sherlock (1966–1989)
| known_for          = One of six members of [[Monty Python]]
| years_active       = 1960–1989
}}

'''Graham Chapman''' (8 January 1941 – 4 October 1989) was a British actor, comedian and writer born in England. He was one of the six members of the [[Surreal humour|surreal]] comedy group [[Monty Python]]. He portrayed authority figures such as the [[The Colonel (Monty Python)|Colonel]] and the lead role in two Python films, ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail|Holy Grail]]'' (1975) and ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian|Life of Brian]]'' (1979).

Chapman was born in [[w:Leicester|Leicester]] and was raised in [[w:Melton Mowbray|Melton Mowbray]]. He enjoyed science, acting and comedy and, after graduating from [[w:Emmanuel College, Cambridge|Emmanuel College, Cambridge]] and [[w:St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College|St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College]], he turned down a career as a doctor to be a comedian instead. 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 ''[[w:Yellowbeard|Yellowbeard]]'' (1983), before returning to Britain in the early 1980s.

In his personal life, Chapman was openly homosexual and a supporter of [[w:LGBT rights by country or territory|gay rights]], and was in a [[w:Domestic partnership|long-term partnership]] with David Sherlock. He was an alcoholic during his time at Cambridge and the Python years; he quit drinking shortly before working on ''Life of Brian''. He became an enthusiast and patron of the [[w:Dangerous Sports Club|Dangerous Sports Club]] in his later years. Chapman died in 1989, on the Pythons' 20th anniversary, of [[w:Oropharyngeal cancer|tonsil cancer]] which had spread to his spine. His life and legacy were commemorated at a private memorial service at [[w:St Bartholomew's Hospital|St&nbsp;Bartholomew's]] with the other five Pythons.

== Early life and education ==
[[File:Graham Chapman blue plaque Melton.jpg|thumb|right|A [[blue plaque]] at Melton Mowbray Grammar School (now [[King Edward VII School (Melton Mowbray)|King Edward VII School]]), which Chapman attended]]
Graham Chapman was born on 8 January 1941 at the Stoneygate Nursing Home, [[Stoneygate]], Leicester, the son of policeman Walter Chapman and Edith Towers.<ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/55386|title=Chapman, Graham (1941–1989), comedian and writer|publisher=oup.com|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/55386|year=2004|last1=Evans|first1=Gillian}}</ref>{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=2}} Walter Chapman was a police constable at the time of Graham's birth; he ended his career as a chief inspector. He had been trained as a [[French polish]]er for a coffin-maker before entering the police force in the 1930s.<ref name="Pythons' Autobio">The Pythons' Autobiography By The Pythons, ed. Bob McCabe, Orion, 2003</ref>

Chapman had an elder brother, John, who was born in 1936.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=3}} They had, according to Chapman and his brother, an "extremely poor upbringing".<ref name="Pythons' Autobio" /> One of Chapman's earliest memories was seeing the remains of Polish airmen who had suffered an aeroplane accident near Leicester, later saying the sight remained in his memory.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|pp=1,7}}

Chapman was educated at [[King Edward VII School (Melton Mowbray)|Melton Mowbray Grammar School]]. He showed a strong affinity for science, sports and amateur dramatics and was singled out for attention when a local paper reviewed his performance of [[Mark Antony]] in [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare's]] ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]''.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=10}} Graham and his brother John were both avid fans of radio comedy, being especially fond of ''[[The Goon Show]]''{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=11}} and [[Robert Moreton]]'s skill of telling jokes the wrong way round and reversing punchlines. Biographer Jim Yoakum said "the radio shows didn't necessarily make him laugh".{{sfn|Chapman|Yoakum|2006|p=xvii}}

In 1959, Chapman began to study medicine at [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=18}} He joined the [[Cambridge Footlights]], where he first began writing with [[John Cleese]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=23}} Following graduation, Chapman joined the Footlights show ''Cambridge Circus'' and toured [[New Zealand]], deferring his medical studies for a year.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=43}} After the tour, he continued his studies at [[St Bartholomew's Medical College]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/notablealumni/28914.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312063307/http://www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/notablealumni/28914.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 March 2012 |title=Entertainment, Queen Mary, University of London |publisher=Queen Mary University of London |access-date=14 August 2012 }}</ref> but became torn between whether to pursue a career in medicine or acting. His brother John later said, "He [Graham] wasn't ever driven to go into medicine... it wasn't his life's ambition."{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=48}}
{{-}}

== Career ==

=== Pre-Python career ===
Following their Footlights success, Chapman and Cleese began to write professionally for the [[BBC]],<ref name="BBC Terry Jones tribute">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51209197|title=Monty Python stars pay tribute to Terry Jones|date=22 January 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=25 February 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref> initially for [[David Frost]] but also for [[Marty Feldman]]. Frost had recruited Cleese, and in turn Cleese decided he needed Chapman as a sounding board.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=56}} Chapman also contributed sketches to the radio series ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again]]'' and wrote material on his own and with [[Bill Oddie]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=57}} He wrote for ''[[The Illustrated Weekly Hudd]]'' (starring [[Roy Hudd]]), ''[[Cilla Black]]'', ''[[This Is Petula Clark]]'' and ''[[This Is Tom Jones]]''.{{sfn|Chapman|1980|p=136}} Chapman, Cleese and [[Tim Brooke-Taylor]] later joined Feldman in the television comedy series ''[[At Last the 1948 Show]]''.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=67}} It was Chapman's first significant role as a performer as well as a writer{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=67}} and he displayed a gift for [[deadpan]] comedy (such as in the sketch "[[The Minister Who Falls to Pieces]]") and imitating various British [[dialects]].{{sfn|Wilmut|1980|p=148}} The series was the first to feature Chapman's sketch of wrestling with himself.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=67}}

Despite the series' success, Chapman was still unsure about abandoning his medical career. In between the two series of ''At Last The 1948 Show'', he completed his studies at St Bartholomew's and became professionally registered as a doctor.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=68}} Chapman and Cleese also wrote for the long-running television comedy series ''[[Doctor in the House (TV series)|Doctor in the House]]'',{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=88}} and both appeared on a one-off television special, ''[[How to Irritate People]]'' alongside Brooke-Taylor and future Python member [[Michael Palin]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=89}} One of Cleese's and Chapman's sketches, featuring a used car salesman refusing to believe a customer's model had broken down, became the inspiration for the [[Dead Parrot sketch]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=90}} Chapman also co-wrote several episodes of ''Doctor in the House''{{'s}} follow up, ''[[Doctor in Charge]]'', with [[Bernard McKenna (writer)|Bernard McKenna]].{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=15}}

=== Monty Python ===
{{Main|Monty Python}}
In 1969, Chapman and Cleese joined the other Pythons, Michael Palin, [[Eric Idle]], [[Terry Jones]] and [[Terry Gilliam]], for their sketch comedy series ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]''.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|pp=92–94}}<ref name="BBC Terry Jones tribute" /> The group's writing was split into well-defined teams, with Chapman collaborating almost exclusively with Cleese.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=98}} Chapman was particularly keen to remove stereotypical [[punch line|punchlines]] in sketches{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=99}} and created [[The Colonel (Monty Python)|The Colonel]], who would stop them in mid-flow by saying they were "too silly".<ref name=telegraph>{{cite news|first=William|last=Langley|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/10948113/Monty-Python-Will-the-wrinkly-revolutionaries-have-the-last-laugh.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/10948113/Monty-Python-Will-the-wrinkly-revolutionaries-have-the-last-laugh.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Monty Python : Will the wrinkly revolutionaries have the last laugh?|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London, England|date=5 July 2014|access-date=15 May 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[File:Graham Chapman Colonel.jpg|thumb|Chapman ended several ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' sketches mid-flow dressed as [[The Colonel (Monty Python)|The Colonel]], complaining they were "too silly".<ref name=telegraph />]]

Although the pair were officially equal partners, Cleese later thought that Chapman contributed comparatively little in the way of direct writing, saying "he would come in, say something marvellous and then drift off in his own mind".{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=103}} The other Pythons have said that Chapman's biggest contribution in the writing room was an intuition for what was funny.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=103}} Gilliam later recalled that "Graham would do the nudge that would push it into something extraordinary".{{sfn|McCabe|2005|pp=139–140}} The series was an immediate success, and Chapman was delighted to learn that medical students at St Bartholomew's crowded round the television in the bar to watch it.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=107}} Chapman was frequently late for rehearsing or recording,{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=139}} leading to the other Pythons calling him "the late Graham Chapman".{{sfn|Chapman|Yoakum|2006|p=53}}

Chapman's main contribution to the "Dead Parrot sketch", derived from the piece within ''How to Irritate People'' and involving a customer returning a faulty toaster, was "How can we make this ''madder''?", turning the toaster into a dead Norwegian Blue parrot. Cleese later said he and Chapman believed that "there was something very funny there, if we could find the right context for it".{{sfn|McCabe|2005|pp=90–91}} Cleese was in particular concerned that the [[Cheese Shop sketch]] simply was not funny, in that it was just mainly a man listing different makes of cheese. Chapman urged his partner to continue with it, telling him "Trust me, it's funny." When it was read out at the next script meeting, Cleese found that the others, particularly Palin, thought it was hilarious. The group felt that Chapman had the best acting skills among them. Cleese complimented Chapman by saying that he was "particularly a wonderful actor".{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=154}}

Chapman played the lead role in two Python films, ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail|Holy Grail]]'' and ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian|Life of Brian]]''. He was chosen to play the lead in ''Holy Grail'' because of the group's respect for his straight acting skills, and because the other members wanted to play lesser, funnier characters.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|pp=185–186}} Chapman did not mind being filmed fully nude in front of a crowd in ''Life of Brian'', but the scene, filmed in Tunisia, caused problems with the female Muslim extras.{{sfn|Chapman|Yoakum|2006|p=17}}

=== 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 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}}

Chapman published his memoirs, ''[[A Liar's Autobiography]]'', in 1980, choosing the title because he said "it's almost ''impossible'' to tell the truth".{{sfn|Chapman|Yoakum|2006|p=15}} He returned to Britain permanently after ''Yellowbeard'' was released. He became involved with the [[extreme sport]]s club [[Dangerous Sports Club]], which popularised [[bungee jumping]]. Chapman was scheduled to perform a bungee jump himself, but it was cancelled due to safety concerns.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=239}}

After reuniting with the other Pythons in the film ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life|The Meaning of Life]]'' (1983), Chapman began a lengthy series of US college tours, talking about The Pythons, the Dangerous Sports Club and his friend Moon, among other subjects.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=239}} ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' creator and Python fan [[Lorne Michaels]] persuaded Chapman to star in ''[[The New Show]]''.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=241}}

In 1988, Chapman appeared in the [[Iron Maiden]] video "[[Can I Play with Madness]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Drew| last=Magary|url=http://deadspin.com/5849204/a-not-at-all-homoerotic-tribute-shoulder-pads|title=A Not-At-All Homoerotic Tribute To Shoulder Pads|website=[[Deadspin]]|publisher=[[Fusion Media Group]]|location=Doral, Florida|date=13 October 2011|access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> The same year, he starred in a pilot of a proposed television series, ''[[Jake's Journey]]'', but financial problems prevented a full series from being made.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=242}} In 1988, he also appeared on stage with three other Pythons (Gilliam, Jones and Palin) at the [[41st British Academy Film Awards]] where Monty Python received the [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Award]] for Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema.<ref>{{cite news |title=Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema in 1988 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1988/film/outstanding-british-contribution-to-cinema |access-date=25 August 2019 |agency=BAFTA.org}}</ref>

Broadcast in November 1989, the 20th anniversary television special, ''[[Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python]]'', hosted by Python fan [[Steve Martin]], was Chapman's final onscreen appearance with the other five Python members.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python: 30 years of near reunions from the comedy troupe |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/comedy/a532589/monty-python-30-years-of-near-reunions-from-the-comedy-troupe/ |access-date=25 August 2019 |agency=Digital Spy}}</ref> Chapman was intended to be cast in the ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' episode "[[Timeslides]]", but died before shooting could begin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/guide/index.cfm?seriesID=3&sectionID=behind-the-scenes&subsectionID=casting|title=Behind the Scenes – Series III|publisher=Red Dwarf (official website)|access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
[[File:Graham Chapman's house in Highgate.jpg|thumb|right|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}} 

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}}

In 1972, on a television show hosted by British jazz musician [[George Melly]], Chapman first disclosed his homosexuality publicly, becoming one of the first celebrities to do so.<ref>{{cite news|title=OPINION: Don't Take It The Wrong Way: Homosexuality in Comedy|url=http://www.thegayuk.com/opinion-dont-take-it-the-wrong-way-homosexuality-in-comedy/|access-date=10 April 2017|work=The Gay UK|date=13 October 2013}}</ref>{{sfn|Chapman|Yoakum|2006|p=18}} He was a vocal spokesman for gay rights, supporting the [[Gay Liberation Front]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=111}} In 1972, Chapman supported the newspaper ''[[Gay News]]'', which listed him as one of the publication's "special friends" in recognition.{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=26}} During a college tour, Chapman mentioned that a television audience member had written to the Pythons to complain about them having a gay member, citing a Bible passage that said any man who lies with a man should be taken out and [[stoning|stoned]]. Idle replied jokingly that they had found the perpetrator and killed him.{{sfn|Perry|2007|p=107}}

In 1971, Chapman and Sherlock [[gay adoption|adopted]] John Tomiczek as their son. Chapman met Tomiczek when Tomiczek was a 14-year-old run-away from Liverpool. After discussions with Tomiczek's father, it was agreed that Chapman would become Tomiczek's legal guardian.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|pp=128, 130}} Both Sherlock and Tomiczek remained a constant in Chapman's life.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=246}} During the 1970s, Chapman became increasingly concerned about the Pythons' income and finances. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles to avoid British [[income tax]].{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=200}} In the mid-1980s, he returned to the UK and moved to [[Maidstone]], [[Kent]], with Sherlock and Tomiczek.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=246}} Tomiczek later became Chapman's business manager, and got engaged, but died of a heart attack in 1992.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Levy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/01/graham-chapman-monty-python-star-and-me|title=Graham Chapman: an unlikely friendship with a Monty Python star|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, England|date=1 July 2014|access-date=17 May 2015}}</ref>

Chapman took up [[pipe smoking]] aged 15, which became a lifelong habit.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=16}} He began drinking heavily during his time at Cambridge and St Bartholomew's, favouring [[gin]]. By the time Monty Python went out on tour in 1973, Chapman's drinking had begun to affect his performance, causing him to miss cues to go on stage.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=163}} He was known to suffer from [[delirium tremens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/he-was-always-coming-out-terry-jones-recalls-fellow-python-graham-chapman-jx9z556w2xh|title="He was always 'coming out'": Terry Jones recalls fellow Python Graham Chapman|author=Jones, Terry
|website=The Times|date= 4 February 2013|
access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> He stopped drinking during Christmas 1977, concerned about being able to act in ''Life of Brian'' successfully, and remained sober for the rest of his life.{{sfn|McCabe|2005|p=201}}

== Illness and death ==
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, 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 [[terminal illness|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=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/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 complications to the cancer at age 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}} 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 twentieth 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 ===
{{quotebox|width=400px|quote="I guess that we're all thinking how sad it is that a man of such talent, of such capability for kindness, of such unusual intelligence, should now, so suddenly, be spirited away at the age of only forty-eight, before he'd achieved many of the things of which he was capable, and before he'd had enough fun. Well, I feel that I should say, nonsense. Good riddance to him, the freeloading bastard, I hope he fries! And the reason I feel I should say this, is he would never forgive me if I didn't, if I threw away this glorious opportunity to shock you all on his behalf. Anything for him, but mindless good taste."|source=John Cleese at Graham Chapman's memorial service{{sfn|Marasco|Shuff|2010|p=94}}}}

The five surviving Python members had decided to stay away from Chapman's private funeral to prevent it from becoming a [[media circus]] and to give his family some privacy. They sent a wreath in the shape of the Python foot, with the message: "To Graham from the other Pythons with all our love. PS: Stop us if we're getting too silly".{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=143}} [[The Rolling Stones]] also sent a floral arrangement, saying "Thanks for all the laughs."{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=143}}

A public memorial service for Chapman was held at St Bartholomew's on 3 December, two months after his death. The service began with a chorus of the hymn "[[Jerusalem (hymn)|Jerusalem]]" sung in [[Engrish]] with a mock [[Spoken Chinese|Chinese accent]].{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=145}} Cleese delivered a eulogy to Chapman with shock humour that he believed Chapman would have appreciated,{{sfn|Marasco|Shuff|2010|p=94}} and became the first person at a televised British memorial service to say "fuck".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Life of Python|year=2006|first=George|last=Perry|publisher=Pavilion Publishing|page=200|isbn=978-1-86205-762-3}}</ref> Palin also delivered a eulogy to Chapman, as did Idle, quipping that Chapman had decided to die rather than listen to Palin again. Idle led the other surviving Pythons and Chapman's close friends and family in a rendition of the song "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]", from ''Life of Brian'', and later closed his remarks by saying: "I'd just like to be the last person at this meeting to say 'fuck'."{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=145}}

Ten years after Chapman's death, his ashes were first rumoured to have been "[[space burial|blasted into the skies in a rocket]]" with assistance from the Dangerous Sports Club.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/590559.stm | title=Python star Chapman's flying ashes |website=[[BBC News]] | publisher=[[BBC]]| location=London, England| date=4 January 2000 | access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> In a second rumour, Chapman's ashes had been scattered on the mountains of [[Snowdonia]], [[Wales]], where he had visited regularly as a climber.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nathan|last=Bevan|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/life-times-monty-pythons-terry-1843865|title=The life and times of Monty Python's Terry Jones|work=[[Wales Online]]|publisher=[[Media Wales]] Ltd.|location=Cardiff, Wales|date=5 March 2011|access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref>

== 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, England|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 [[Black & Decker DustBuster|DustBuster]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/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}}

Asteroid [[9617 Grahamchapman]], named in Chapman's honour, is one of six asteroids named after the Python members.

In 1997, Sherlock allowed Jim Yoakum to start the 'Graham Chapman Archives'. Later that year, the novel ''Graham Crackers: Fuzzy Memories, Silly Bits, and Outright Lies'' was released. It is a semi-sequel to ''A Liar's Autobiography'', with Chapman's works compiled by Yoakum.<ref>{{cite book|first=Graham|last=Chapman|editor-first=Jim|editor-last=Yoakum|url=https://archive.org/details/grahamcrackersfu0000chap|url-access=registration|title=Graham Crackers: Fuzzy Memories, Silly Bits, and Outright Lies|publisher=Career Press|location=Wayne, New Jersey|year=1997|isbn=978-1-56414-334-1}}</ref> A compendium of writings, ''Calcium Made Interesting: Sketches, Letters, Essays & Gondolas'', also compiled and edited by Yoakum, was published in 2005 in association with the David Sherlock and John Tomiczeck trust.{{sfn|Chapman|Yoakum|2006|p=iv}} In 2000, Chapman's play ''O Happy Day'' was performed by [[Dad's Garage Theatre Company]] in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], with the assistance of Cleese and Palin.{{sfn|McCall|2013|p=207}} In 2006, the album and [[DVD-Video|DVD]] release ''Looks Like Another Brown Trouser Job'' came out, featuring a college lecture recorded in April 1988.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alan|last=Campbell|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/looks-like-another-brown-trouser-job-mw0000411429|title=Looks Like Another Brown Trouser Job|website=[[AllMusic]]|publisher=[[All Media Network, LLC]]|location=San Francisco, California|access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref>

{{multiple image
|direction=horizontal
|align=right
|total_width=300
|image1=Graham Chapman - The Angel Inn 37 Highgate High Street N6 5JT.jpg
|image2=Graham Chapman A very naughty boy 8 January 1941 to 4 October 1989.jpg
|footer=A blue plaque has been placed at The Angel, Highgate, in commemoration of Chapman.
}}
In June 2011, it was announced that Cleese, Jones, Gilliam and Palin would perform in a [[3D film|3-D]] animated version of Chapman's memoir ''A Liar's Autobiography: Volume VI''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Cieply|title=This May Be Something Completely Different|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/movies/graham-chapman-tribute-from-monty-python.html?ref=arts|work=[[The New York Times]]|location=New York City|date=26 June 2011|access-date=27 June 2011}}</ref> Co-director Jeff Simpson worked closely with Chapman's estate and the surviving Python members to "get this exactly right".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13939238|title=Monty Python members reunite for Graham Chapman film|work=BBC News|date=28 June 2011|access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> The film, titled ''[[A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman]]'', was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012 and premiered in the UK the following month as part of the [[BFI London Film Festival]]. The voices of Cleese, Gilliam, Jones and Palin were spliced into commentary recorded by Chapman reading from his memoir and taped shortly before his death. The film's official trailer quoted Chapman as saying, "This is the best film I've been in since I died."<ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Hartl|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/a-liars-autobiography-8212-the-untrue-story-of-monty-pythons-graham-chapman-the-title-says-it-all/|title='A Liar's Autobiography — The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman': The title says it all|newspaper=[[Seattle Times]]|publisher=[[The Seattle Times Company]]|location=Seattle, Washington|date=1 November 2012|access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref>

In September 2012, a British Comedy Society [[blue plaque]] commemorating Chapman was unveiled at The Angel pub in Highgate by Jones, Palin, [[Barry Cryer]], [[Ray Davies]] and [[Carol Cleveland]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Tara |last=Brady|url=http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/heritage/monty_python_graham_chapman_honoured_with_plaque_on_highgate_pub_1_1508901|title=Monty Python Graham Chapman honoured with plaque on Highgate pub|newspaper=Hampstead Highgate Express|publisher=[[Archant]] |location=London, England|date=7 September 2012|access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref> Palin said, "Highgate was his patch, and he should be celebrated because he was a very good, brilliant, funny, nice, wise, kind man, who occasionally drank too much."<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark| last=Brown|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/sep/06/monty-python-graham-chapman-plaque?newsfeed=true|title=Monty Python's Graham Chapman honoured with (unofficial) blue plaque|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, England|date=6 September 2012|access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref>

In December 2014, a green plaque funded by [[Leicestershire County Council]] was placed on Chapman's former home in Burton Road, [[Melton Mowbray]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-30413224|title=Plaque for Monty Python star Graham Chapman's former home|work=BBC News|date=10 December 2014|access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> A year later, a blue plaque at the entrance of Chapman's old school, [[King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray|King Edward VII School]] was reported as stolen but was later found inside the building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/whats-on/arts/monty-python-star-s-plaque-is-found-at-former-melton-school-1-7123927|title=Monty Python star's plaque is found at former Melton school|newspaper=Melton Times|publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd.|location=Melton Mowbray, England|date=18 December 2015|access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180205000942/https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/whats-on/arts/monty-python-star-s-plaque-is-found-at-former-melton-school-1-7123927 |archive-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> In March 2017, the plaque was moved to Melton Mowbray town centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/whats-on/arts/monty-python-star-s-plaque-finds-a-new-home-in-melton-1-7864755|title=Monty Python star's plaque finds a new home in Melton|newspaper=Melton Times|publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd.|location=Melton Mowbray, England|date=14 March 2017|access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Notes
|-

|| 1969
| ''[[The Magic Christian (film)|The Magic Christian]]''
| Oxford Crew
| Uncredited<br />Also writer
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1970
| ''[[Doctor in Trouble]]''
| Roddy
|
|-
| ''[[The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer]]''
| Fromage
| rowspan=2|Also writer
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1971
| ''[[And Now for Something Completely Different]]''
| Various roles
|-
| ''[[The Statue (1971 film)|The Statue]]''
| News reader
|
|-
|| 1975
| ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]''
| [[King Arthur]], various roles
| Also writer
|-
|| 1978
| ''[[The Odd Job]]''
| Arthur Harris
| Also writer/producer
|-
|| 1979
| ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]''
| Brian, various roles
| rowspan=3|Also writer
|-
|| 1982
| ''[[Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl]]''
| rowspan=2|Various roles
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1983
| ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]''
|-
| ''[[The Crimson Permanent Assurance]]''
| Clerk
| Short film<br />Uncredited
|-
| ''[[Yellowbeard]]''
| Captain Yellowbeard
| Also writer
|-
|| 1987
| ''[[Still Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| Detective Inspector Palmer
| TV film
|-
|| 1988
| ''[[Jake's Journey]]''
| Sir George/Queen
| TV film<br />Also writer
|-
|| 1989
| ''[[Stage Fright (1989 film)|Stage Fright]]''
| Smart Alec
| Uncredited
|-
|| 2012
| ''[[A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman]]''
| Himself (Archive footage)
| Voice
|-
|| 2014
| ''[[Monty Python Live (Mostly)]]''
| The Colonel and other characters (archive footage)
| Also writer
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book| last = McCabe| first = Bob| title = The Life of Graham, The authorised biography of Graham Chapman| year = 2005| publisher = Orion Books| location = London| isbn = 978-0-7528-5773-2 }}
* {{cite book| last= McCall| first = Douglas| title=Monty Python: A Chronology, 1969–2012|edition=2nd|publisher=McFarland|year=2013|isbn=978-0-7864-7811-8}}
* {{cite book| last1 = Chapman| first1 = Graham| last2 = Yoakum| first2 = Jim| title = Calcium Made Interesting : Sketches, Letters, Essays & Gondolas|year=2006| publisher = Sidgwick & Jackson| location = London| isbn = 0-283-07016-1| editor = Jim Yoakum }}
* {{cite book| last = Chapman| first = Graham| title = Graham Crackers: Fuzzy Memories, Silly Bits, and Outright Lies| year = 1997| publisher = Career Pr Inc| isbn = 978-1-56414-334-1| url = https://archive.org/details/grahamcrackersfu0000chap}}
* {{cite book| last = Hewison| first = Robert| author-link=Robert Hewison| title = Footlights! – A Hundred Years of Cambridge Comedy| year = 1983| publisher = Methuen London| location = London| isbn = 0-413-51150-2 }}
* {{cite book| last = Perry | first = George | title= The Life of Python | publisher = Pavilion | year = 2007 | isbn =  978-1-86205-762-3 }}
* {{cite book| last = Wilmut| first = Roger| author-link=Roger Wilmut| title = From Fringe to Flying Circus – 'Celebrating a Unique Generation of Comedy 1960–1980'| year = 1980| publisher = Eyre Methuen| isbn = 0-413-46950-6 }}
* {{cite book| last = Chapman| first = Graham| title = [[A Liar's Autobiography]] (Volume VI)| year = 1980| publisher = Methuen Publishing| isbn = 0-416-00901-8 }}
* {{cite book| last = Wholey| first = Dennis| title = The Courage to Change – Personal Conversations about Alcoholism (see Chapter 4 – "Quitting")| year = 1984| publisher = Warner Books| isbn = 0-446-35758-8| url = https://archive.org/details/couragetochange00denn}}
* {{cite book | last1 = Marasco | first1 = Ron | last2 = Shuff | first2 = Brian | title = About Grief: Insights, Setbacks, Grace Notes, Taboos | publisher = Rowman & Littlefield | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-1-56663-858-6 | url = https://archive.org/details/aboutgriefinsigh00mara }}

== External links ==
* Graham Chapman at [https://web.archive.org/web/20071216064804/http://pythonline.com/meet/chapman PythOnline Pythons Page]
* {{Screenonline name|515111}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IMDb name|0001037}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|graham_chapman}}
* 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.fyne.co.uk/index.php?item=461 Gay Greats]

{{Graham Chapman|state=collapsed}}
{{Monty Python|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chapman, Graham}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:1989 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English medical doctors]]
[[Category:Alumni of Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:Deaths from oropharyngeal cancer]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:English comedy writers]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English television writers]]
[[Category:English gay actors]]
[[Category:Gay comedians]]
[[Category:English gay writers]]
[[Category:LGBT actors from England]]
[[Category:LGBT rights activists from England]]
[[Category:LGBT writers from England]]
[[Category:20th-century LGBT people]]
[[Category:Monty Python members]]
[[Category:People from Leicester]]
[[Category:People from Melton Mowbray]]
[[Category:People from Wigston Magna]]
[[Category:Male actors from Leicestershire]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century British comedians]]
[[Category:British male television writers]]
[[Category:British surrealist artists]]
[[Category:British surrealist writers]]
[[Category:20th-century English screenwriters]]