Monty Python star Terry Jones dies at the age of 77
Welsh writer, director and member of the Monty Python comedy team Terry Jones has died aged 77, his agent said on Wednesday. Tributes are pouring in for the star on Twitter, with fans sharing their favorite moments of his career.
Jones studied at Oxford University in England, where he first met Michael Palin, which whom he worked in a comedy troupe before the pair met Eric Idle, John Cleese, and Graham Chapman to form Monty Python. Terry Gilliam initially worked with the group as an animator before becoming the sixth member of the team.
The offbeat, surrealist group initially created a sketch comedy series for the BBC running from 1969, before going on to produce hugely popular films including 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', which was Jones’ directorial debut.
In 2016, it was revealed that Jones was suffering a form of dementia. In a statement to the BBC, his family said: “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.”
Commenting after news broke of his death, Jones’ fellow Python Palin described him as “kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.”
Cleese tweeted a tribute to Jones' "many achievements" and "endless enthusiasm", while Idle wrote, "So many laughs, moments of total hilarity onstage and off we have all shared with him."
Just heard about Terry JIt feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away...Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of 'Life of Brian'. PerfectionTwo down, four to go
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) January 22, 2020
I loved him the moment I saw him on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963. So many laughs,moments of total hilarity onstage and off we have all shared with him. It’s too sad if you knew him,but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) January 22, 2020
Farewell dear Terry J. Two down, four to go. Love Terry G, Mike, John & Eric pic.twitter.com/RbVrAAJz2d
— Monty Python (@montypython) January 22, 2020
Jones’ “heartbroken” fans have been sharing their sadness at the news of his death, with many saying “thanks for the laughs” and posting their favorite clips from his work through the decades.
RIP Terry Jones. Made me laugh a million times and more. pic.twitter.com/u0qTjM3TGp
— Elliot Fleisher (@elliotfleisher) January 22, 2020
Farewell to the great Terry Jones. His influence was more than wafer thin. pic.twitter.com/sUAMVfvg2P
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) January 22, 2020
I’ve always loved this photo so much - Terry Jones directing Life Of Brian and showing the crowd how he wanted them to react during the Pontius Pilate scene pic.twitter.com/sPryYDHd8o
— Scott Innes (@Flying_Inside) January 22, 2020
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