MONTY Python star Terry Jones has died at the age of 77 after a battle with dementia. The legendary actor was today remembered for his “funny, warm, creative” humour that entertained millions after he passed away yesterday. The actor made a name for himself in the Monty Python comedy troupe alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry […]
MONTY Python star Terry Jones has died at the age of 77 after a battle with dementia.
The legendary actor was today remembered for his “funny, warm, creative” humour that entertained millions after he passed away yesterday.
The actor made a name for himself in the Monty Python comedy troupe alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin.
But his dementia battle took a dramatic downturn in the past few years after he first began forgetting lines during the troupe’s Flying Cirus show at London’s O2 in 2014.
A statement from the family of Monty Python star said: “We are deeply saddened to have to announce the passing of beloved husband and father, Terry Jones.
“Terry passed away on the evening of 21 January 2020 at the age of 77 with his wife Anna Soderstrom by his side after a long, extremely brave but always good humoured battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD.
“Over the past few days his wife, children, extended family and many close friends have been constantly with Terry as he gently slipped away at his home in North London.
“We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humour has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades.
“His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programmes, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath.
“We, his wife Anna, children Bill, Sally, Siri and extended family would like to thank Terry’s wonderful medical professionals and carers for making the past few years not only bearable but often joyful.
“We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely. We ask that our privacy be respected at this sensitive time and give thanks that we lived in the presence of an extraordinarily talented, playful and happy man living a truly authentic life, in his words ‘Lovingly frosted with glucose’.”
He suffered from frontotemporal dementia a form of the disease which affects behaviour and language often presenting as being insensitive or rude.
Monty Python’s Terry Jones made his mark behind as well as in front of the camera, directing some of the comedy troupe’s most-loved works.
On-screen, the comedy genius had audiences in stitches in a variety of characters, often appearing in drag.
But he also directed Life Of Brian, a film which sparked outrage after its 1979 release but is now an undisputed comedy classic.
Jones also helped forge the surreal style of TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which changed the tone of British comedy.
The comedian was born in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, in 1942, moving to Claygate, Surrey, at the age of five.
At Oxford University he became involved in the theatre scene and met fellow Python-to-be Michael Palin, with whom he went on to write TV series Ripping Yarns.
The pair wrote and performed revues for the university’s theatre club.
Later, Jones worked on TV shows like The Frost Report, Do Not Adjust Your Set, Broaden Your Mind and The Complete And Utter History of Britain.
TV history was created after Jones sat down at a tandoori restaurant in north London, in 1969, with Palin, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle and US animator Terry Gilliam to discuss working together on a new BBC comedy.
They wanted to move away from the punchlines and structure of traditional sketch comedy.
Irreverent TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus was born, making its debut late on a Sunday night on BBC One on October 5, 1969, just before the weather bulletin.
Some 45 episodes of the show, with its surreal, stream-of-consciousness style, aired until 1974, and it snapped up Bafta awards and even led to a German spin-off.
As the group’s resident polymath, Terry Jones enjoyed a varied and successful career after Monty Python’s split in 1983.
He wrote books on medieval and ancient history, presented documentaries, directed films, wrote poetry and penned the screenplay for Jim Henson’s David Bowie-starring Labyrinth.
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