Brilliant, iconoclastic and funny! Monty Python genius Terry Jones dies at 77
JOHN Cleese last night led the tributes to Monty Python star Terry Jones who has died, saying: “Two down, four to go.”
The much-loved comic actor, writer and director passed away on Tuesday, four years after he contracted rare frontotemporal dementia.
Fellow Python Terry Gilliam, 79, described him as a “brilliant, constantly questioning, iconoclastic, righteously argumentative and angry but outrageously funny and generous and kind human being”.
Jones’s death was announced yesterday by his family, who praised his “relentless intellect and extraordinary humour [that] has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades”.
Jones died “with his wife Anna Soderstrom by his side after a long, extremely brave but always good-humoured battle with FTD”, the family statement said.
It continued: “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.”
Fawlty Towers star Cleese, 80, said: “It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away.”
Referring to the sixth Python member Graham Chapman, who died in 1989, he added: “Two down, four to go.”
Jones, who married twice and had three children, was often seen as the creative force behind Monty Python. He directed The Holy Grail in 1975 with Gilliam, and took sole charge of 1979’s Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life in 1983.
On screen, Jones’s much-loved characters included Arthur “Two Sheds” Jackson, Cardinal Biggles of the Spanish Inquisition and Mr Creosote, the monstrously obese restaurant patron.
Born in Colwyn Bay, he studied at Oxford University, where he met future Python pal Michael Palin in the Oxford revue.
He had two children with Alison Telfer, whom he married in 1970, and became a father again, at the age of 67, with Ms Soderstrom. Sir Michael, 76, said: “Terry was one of my closest, most valued friends.
“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.”
Fellow Python Eric Idle, 76, said: “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.”
Stephen Fry, David Walliams and Charlie Brooker were also among those paying tribute, with Brooker writing: “RIP the genius Terry Jones. Far too many brilliant moments to choose from.”
ACOMIC genius has been lost to the nation with the passing of Terry Jones but his work will trigger joyful bouts of hilarity for generations to come. The Monty Python star blazed with creativity and his subversive, surreal imagination transformed comedy.
A man of truly irrepressible energy, he delighted in writing children’s literature and bringing medieval history to a mass audience, and he was not afraid to venture into political commentary.
Anyone who has witnessed a loved one suffer dementia will have felt deep sympathy for Jones and his family as he battled this cruel condition in recent years.
We long for the day a cure is found and are heartened that this may not be far off.