Terry Jones, one of the founding members of the Monty Python comedy troupe, has died at 77.
His death after a years-long battle with dementia was confirmed by his agent, the Associated Press reports.
His family released the following statement Wednesday: “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 humored battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD.”
The statement revealed that Jones last days were spent surrounded by “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. We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humor has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades.”
Famed for his portrayals of middle-aged housewives with high-pitched voices, it was Jones who screamed, “He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!” in the 1979 comedy “Monty Python’s Life of Brian,” which he also directed. That iconic line was twice voted the funniest in film history in UK polls, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
In a 2016 statement to Britain’s film academy, it was announced that Jones suffered from primary progressive aphasia, which erodes the ability to use language, leaving him unable to give interviews.
Jones’ loved ones said they were announcing his death out of a “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.’ ”
The veteran comic, actor and author is survived survived by his wife of seven years, Anna, their daughter Siri, and his children Bill and Sally from a previous marriage to Alison Telfer.
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