He reached stardom when he co-created and acted in the sketch series Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974) and the films Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983) with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Graham Chapman. Idle studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and joined Cambridge University Footlights. He was a member of the British surreal comedy group Monty Python and the parody rock band the Rutles. Eric Idle (born 29 March 1943) is an English actor, comedian, musician and writer.