October 17, 2007

Performance by John Cleese to Benefit Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCSB

Award-winning actor and screenwriter John Cleese brings his humor and wit to Santa Barbara early next month in a benefit for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"Slices of Cleese: An Evening with John Cleese" will take place on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Natural History Museum's Fleischmann Auditorium. (See ticket information below.)

Cleese is best known as one of the founding members of the renowned comedy group Monty Python, and as the writer and star of the popular British television comedy "Fawlty Towers." In 1988 he wrote and starred in the film "A Fish Called Wanda," which received an Academy Award nomination for best screenplay.

More recently, Cleese portrayed the character Nearly Headless Nick in the films "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." He lent his voice to Samuel the sheep in the film "Charlotte's Web" and to King Harold in "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third." He is currently at work with Steve Martin on the film "The Next Pink Panther." Cleese plays Inspector Dreyfus opposite Martin in the role of Inspector Clouseau.

A self-described lifelong learner, Cleese is a member of the Advisory Board for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. OLLI's mission is to build a community of adult learners exploring the world through lifelong education. As UCSB's adult education program, OLLI offers high quality courses to people age 50 and over. It is one of more than 100 such institutes established nationwide through funding from the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Fall quarter courses cover a broad range of topics, including health and wellness, history, current events, world affairs, creative writing, and philosophy.

Tickets to "Slices of Cleese: An Evening with John Cleese" are free for OLLI Passport holders and $25 for all others. Admission to a private reception following the performance is $50 for all. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling (805) 893-3231.

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.