John Cleese: actor, comedian -- and business creativity consultant?

John Cleese
John Cleese performs on the closing night of "Monty Python Live (Mostly)" at The O2 Arena on July 20, 2014, in London, England.
Dave J Hogan | Getty Images 2014

One the world's funniest people is also a well-regarded expert on innovation in business. John Cleese is part of the legendary British comedy troupe Monty Python's Flying Circus.

In addition to performing and writing with that group, he starred in the television series "Fawlty Towers," appeared in several movies and recently published an autobiography. He is also the co-founder of Video Arts, a successful British company that creates humorous business training videos.

He's in the Twin Cities Friday to speak at a private event sponsored by the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas.

What makes him laugh?

"My favorite joke is, 'How to you make God laugh?' Answer: Tell him your plans. Right?" he said, laughing. "We all think we know what's going to happen during the course of the day, and we don't. It's always different, and yet we go along like we know what's going to happen."

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with him.

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