Terry Jones— one of the original members in the renowned British comedy troupeMonty Python— has died.
“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 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 programmes, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath,”said the statement. “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.”
The statement concluded, “We hope that thisdisease will one day be eradicatedentirely. 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.’ ”
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Terry Jones on the set ofMonty Python’s Fliegender Zirkusin 1971.Archiv Hajek/Imagno/Getty
Terry Jones in 2015.Mireya Acierto/FilmMagic
Jones was one of the six founding members of Monty Python. Formed in 1969, the slapstick set also includedGraham Chapman,John Cleese,Terry Gilliam,Eric IdleandMichael Palin. While they were largely inactive as a group from 1983 on, their 2014 reunion show went on to sell out within 43 seconds of going on sale, according toCNN.
Before joining Monty Python, Jones starred alongside Palin, 76, in the British sketch comedy seriesTwice a Fortnight, and opposite Palin and Idle, 76, on the seriesDo Not Adjust Your Set. Other early gigs were in acting and writing forThe Complete and Utter History of Britain, as well as writing forThe Frost Report— his first television job.
Jones was also a prolific, accomplished author in both fiction and nonfiction. His final novel,The Tyrant and the Squire, was published in 2018.
Terry Jones inMonty Python’s Life of Brian(1979).Evening Standard/Getty Images
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In aSeptember 2016 Facebook post, Palin shared a photo of himself with his friend and costar alongside a sweet message following Jones’ announcement that he has beendiagnosed with a rare form of dementia(Primary Progressive Aphasia, a variant of frontotemporal dementia).
“Terry J has been my close friend and workmate for over fifty years,” Palin wrote. “The progress of his dementia has been painful to watch and the news announced yesterday that he has a type of aphasia which is gradually depriving him of the ability to speak is about the cruellest thing that could befall someone to whom words, ideas, arguments,jokes and stories were once the stuff of life.”
“Not that Terry is out of circulation,” he continued. “He spends time with his family and only two days ago I met up with him for one of our regular meals at his local pub. … Terry doesn’t say very much but he smiles, laughs, recognises and responds, and I’m always pleased to see him. Long may that last.”
“Friends often ask: will he recognize me?” Jones’ daughter Sally said in an in-depth interview withThe Guardianin 2017. “I tell them: of course he will. It is his speech that has gone. In fact, he loves seeing friends. His only problem is that he no longer has the ability to tell them how pleased he is to see them.”
The Guardianalso reported that Jones offered Palin (both of whom were present at the time) a sweet gesture toward the end of the interview, squeezing his friend and longtime collaborator’s hand.
Terry Jones (L) and John Cleese inMonty Python’s The Meaning of Life(1983).Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images
Palin shared a black-and-white throwback photo of himself and Jones on Wednesday,tweeting alongside it, “You will be very missed old friend. I feel very fortunate to have shared so much of my life with Terry.”
Cleese, 80, also mourned Jones on social media Wednesday, writing on Twitter, “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 methe greatest gift he gave us allwas his direction of ‘Life of Brian’. Perfection,” Cleese continued, writing of the group’s members, “Two down, four to go.”
The other Monty Python founding member Cleese is referring to is Chapman,who died in 1989 at age 48after a battle with throat and spinal cancer.
British comedian and musician Neil Innes, known for his collaborative work with Monty Python,died just last month at the age of 75after suffering a heart attack, his wife Yvonne toldThe New York Times.
source: people.com
