The remaining Monty Python stars have paid tribute to colleague Terry Jones, who has died in London after battling a rare form of dementia.
“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 told the BBC.
Michael Palin described Jones as “one of my closest, most valued friends.”
Born in Wales, Jones created Monty Python’s Flying Circus in 1969 with Idle, Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam. He later directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Gilliam, then Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life as a solo director.
He also wrote several successful children’s books and serious works on medieval history.
Palin told the BBC: “[Jones] 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.”
Some of Terry Jones’ best work is available to watch at SBS On Demand. Here’s Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
Both episodes of Monty Python, Almost the Truth, a 40-year retrospective of the world-famous comedy troupe, are available to watch now.
Monty Python Live: One Down, Five to Go was the title of Monty Python’s sold-out live show following the death of Graham Chapman. Terry Jones was able to take part, just over a year before he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
In memoriam: watch Monty Python Live (Mostly) on SBS at 8:30pm on Thursday, 23 January 2020.
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