Monty Python star Terry Jones had died at age 77 after battle with dementia
Comedian Terry Jones, who wrote and starred in Monty Python, has died after a long battle with dementia.
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Michael Palin and John Cleese have been among those to pay tribute to Monty Python star Terry Jones, who has died at the age of 77 after a “long, extremely brave, but always good humoured battle” against dementia.
A statement from the legendary comedian’s family said he passed away with his wife, Anna Soderstrom at his side.
Jones was a member of the iconic and much-loved British comedy group and also directed a number of its most popular films, including Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life.
Michael Palin, Jones’ friend and fellow Python (the two met while studying at Oxford University), gave high praise to his comic collaborator.
“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,” Palin said in a statement.
“It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm should have faded so gently away,” said another Python legend, John Cleese. “Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of ‘Life of Brian.’ Perfection. Two down, four to go.”
Just heard about Terry J
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) January 22, 2020
It 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'. Perfection
Two down, four to go
Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 22, 2020
Stephen Fry, who appeared on stage with the Monty Python team during their 2014 stage show, also tweeted his sadness.
“Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind,” he wrote.
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,” the family statement continued.
“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 programs, 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.”
In 2016, Jones revealed he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia a year earlier, and he became a public face of the illness – appearing at a Bafta Cymru awards ceremony to highlight its effects and being interviewed in conjunction with longtime friend and collaborator Michael Palin in 2017.
The disease affects behaviour and language often presenting as being insensitive or rude.
COMEDY LEGEND
Terence Graham Parry Jones was born 1 February 1942.
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 Circus show at London’s O2 in 2014.