John Cleese Reflects on Aging and the Challenges of Keeping Working Due to Financial Reasons

In a candid new interview with The Times, comedy icon John Cleese, 85, made some heartbreaking admissions about the difficulties of growing older, the loss of friends, and the financial pressures that have kept him working in his later years.

Cleese, best known for his work on the legendary British sitcom Fawlty Towers, which he co-wrote and starred in alongside then-wife Connie Booth, reflected on the profound impact aging has had on him. When asked about his upcoming book on Fawlty Towers, Cleese couldn’t help but mention the many colleagues he’s lost over the years.

“All these lovely people. Geoffrey Palmer, Joan Sanderson, Ken Campbell, Bernard Cribbins, all these wonderful people that I’d really enjoyed working with, all dead. Every time somebody came up and I thought, are they still alive? Dead! And I started getting a bit depressed,” Cleese shared. “It’s just loss, really—a realization of the loss.”

The Reality of Aging: John Cleese Talks About the “Massacre” of Old Age

John Cleese also spoke about how unprepared he felt for the realities of aging. Reflecting on the inevitability of loss, he recalled the words of author Philip Roth, who described old age as a “massacre” in one of his novels.

“When you get to your eighties, you’re not prepared,” Cleese admitted. “It’s a massacre. I think Philip Roth once finished one novel about old age by saying it’s a massacre.”

As Cleese continues to confront the challenges of aging, he revealed that he’s sought therapy “on and off” throughout his life, and he may look for a Jungian therapist in the near future as he nears the end of his life. “I haven’t [been to therapy] for a long time. I think I’m going to find a Jungian, because Jung was very, very good on the second half of life,” he said.

Financial Pressures: Why John Cleese Continues to Work

While many people dream of retiring in their later years, Cleese revealed that financial concerns have kept him working instead of enjoying a quiet retirement. He spoke openly about his expensive divorces, which have had a lasting financial impact on his life.

“The third wife got two properties, one was in London and one was in New York, and we had to sell the other three,” Cleese explained. “What’s the difference between a famous singer and a famous comedian? About $200 million… If you lose your nest egg at 70, then there’s not much alternative [to constantly working]. I could have married somebody rich.”

John Cleese’s Marriages: A History of Expensive Divorces

John Cleese has been married four times throughout his life. His first marriage was to Fawlty Towers co-creator Connie Booth, with whom he shares a daughter, Cynthia, 54. His second marriage was to actress Barbara Trentham, with whom he shares a daughter, Camilla, 41. Cleese’s third marriage, to Alyce Faye Eichelberger, was the most costly divorce, which significantly impacted his financial situation. Cleese is currently married to his fourth wife, jewelry designer Jennifer Wade, 53.

The Final Chapter: Cleese Looks Ahead

Despite the challenges of aging, loss, and financial struggles, John Cleese remains a cherished figure in the world of comedy. With a career spanning decades, from Monty Python to Fawlty Towers, his contributions to comedy have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

As Cleese continues to navigate the realities of life in his 80s, he offers an honest and vulnerable perspective on what it means to age and how the pressures of life can shape one’s later years. His reflections on aging, loss, and his continued work in the entertainment industry remind us that even legends face the challenges of growing old.