Writer and actor who entered British films with Monty Python's LIFE OF BRIAN (1979). Other notable credits include (as actor) TIME BANDITS (1981), THE MISSIONARY (1983), A PRIVATE FUNCTION (1984), BRAZIL and SPIES LIKE US (both 1985), PRICK UP YOUR EARS (1987), THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN (1988, also writer), ERIK THE VIKING (1989), AMERICAN FRIENDS (1991) and several episodes of British TV series; (as writer) PLUNKETT & MACLEANE (1999), RIPLEY'S GAME (2002) and THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS (scheduled for 2009).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1985: BRAZIL (w. Terry Gilliam & Tom Stoppard) 1 nomination