The actor passed away at his London home. His commitment to producing comedy in a revolutionary way allowed him to gain success and today he leaves an important legacy in the entertainment industry.
Through a statement, Terry Jones's family confirmed his death. The veteran comedian, the founder of Monty Python (a very successful company in the 1970s), had been in poor health for several years, as explained in the text.
"We have lost a kind, funny, warm, creative, and truly loving man whose individuality, relentless intellect, and extraordinary humor have brought pleasure to millions over six decades," read part of the letter issued by his family.
Jones passed away on the night of January 21 at his London residence. "He Died after a protracted battle, extremely brave, but always in good spirits with a rare form of dementia, FTD," the statement added.
Born in Wales in 1942, he studied at the University of Oxford. It was at this institution where he began to write and act alongside who, at the time, was his classmate Michael Palin. "His work with Monty Python, his books, movies, TV shows, poems, and other works will live on forever, a legacy worthy of a true scholar," they added.
A revolutionary British comedy
During the 1960s, upon leaving college, he began writing for sitcoms. Among these were 'The Frost Report' and 'Do Not Adjust Your Set'. It is at the end of that same period when he, along with Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, and Terry Gilliam make up 'Monty Python's Flying Circus', a group whose focus was on the development of surreal humor.
Since the early 1970s, Jones has written and acted in various television series, including 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and 'The Life of Brian'. It was in the latter that he pronounced one of the group's most famous dialogues "He is not the Messiah, he is a very spoiled boy!" He said, impersonating Brian's mother.
Despite its success, the company disintegrated in the 1980s. Following the dissolution, Jones wrote books on medieval and ancient history, presented documentaries, directed films, and scripted the film Labyrinth, directed by Jim Henson.
A fight against a rare disease
In 2016, Jones was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. This disease affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain (areas related to personality, behavior, and language), which in his case caused him problems speaking and writing.
“He was one of my closest and most valued friends. He was kind, generous, understanding, and passionate about living life to the fullest. He was much more than one of the funniest writers and actors of his generation. He was a complete renaissance comedian, writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant author of children's books, and the warmest, most wonderful companion one could have," Palin said.
