Monty Python star, Terry Jones, has died at the age of 77. Mr. Jones battled with FTD, a form of dementia that he was diagnosed with four years ago. A statement from his family said:
“We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man.”
Born in Colwyn Bay, the Welsh comic actor, writer and director went on to study at Oxford University. While at Oxford, Terry met his future Monty Python co-star, Sir Micheal Palin in the Oxford Revue-a student comedy group.
“Terry was one of my closest, most valued friends. He was kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.
“He was far more than one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation, he was the complete Renaissance comedian – writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant children’s author, and the warmest, most wonderful company you could wish to have.”
— Michael Palin, about terry jones
“Terry Jones was a titan of British comedy and one of the founding fathers of the most influential and pioneering comedy ensembles of all time.” wrote Shane Allen, BBC controller of comedy commissioning.
Appearing in the TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus and the comedy collective’s films as a range of much-loved characters, including Arthur “Two Sheds” Jackson, Cardinal Biggles of the Spanish Inquisition and Mr Creosote, Jones brought his zany sense of humor to life.
He also directed their film The Holy Grail in 1975, with fellow Python Terry Gilliam, and took sole charge of 1979’s Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life in 1983.
The entire entertainment world mourns the loss of this great comedian and entertainer.
The Jones family said in a statement:
“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.'”
The news of Terry Jones death hits Python fans hard, after the loss of Neil Innes on December 29th, just three weeks ago. But no matter how badly we feel, we must always remember the most important thing that we learned from watching Monty Python through the years:
“Always look on the bright side of life!”
R.I.P Terry Jones 1942-2020
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Sidney Fraser is an American transplanted to a new life in London, where she explores fannish and geeky places, events and creations, which she relates in the continuing True and Proper Adventures of Sidney Fraser.
