Monty Python star Terry Jones has died at the age of 77, his agent has said.
The actor died on Tuesday (January 21) with his wife Anna by his side, his family confirmed.
In 2016, Jones’ representatives announced he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia leaving him unable to give interviews as the disorder began to affect his ability to communicate.
Jones was also a prolific children’s author and well-respected medieval historian and in 2016 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award from BAFTA Cymru for his outstanding contribution to TV and film.
A statement from Jones’ family said: “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 humoured battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD.
“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. 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.
Monty Python – In pictures
1/34 Monty Python today
Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, John Oliver, and Terry Jones pose for a photo backstage at the “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” special screening during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at Beacon Theatre on 24 April 2015 in New York
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
2/34 Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969): The Dead Parrot Sketch with Michael Palin and John Cleese
BBC
3/34 Old girl
Terry Jones performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2914
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
4/34 Comedy troupe
Monty Python (1975) starring Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
Python
5/34 Double act
Michael Palin and John Cleese perform on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena on 20 July 2014 in London
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
6/34 Grumpy old man
Terry Gilliam performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
7/34 Head judge
Michael Palin and Eric Idle perform on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2914
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
8/34 Stage stars
Michael Palin performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
9/34 Hanging out
Terry Gilliam performs on the opening night of “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
10/34 Stripping off
Michael Palin performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
11/34 Stage presence
Terry Jones, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam perform on the opening night of “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
12/34 Sing it out
Michael Palin performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
13/34 Monty Python Live
Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones perform on the opening night of “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
14/34 On the red carpet
Director Ben Timlett, actors Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland, director Bill Jones, actor Terry Jones and director Jeff Simpson attend “A Liar’s Autobiography” premiere during the 56th BFI London Film Festival at the Empire Leicester Square on 16 October 2012 in London
Samir Hussein/Getty Images
15/34 Spamalot
David Hyde Pierce, Terry Jones, Mike Nichols, Michael Palin, Tim Curry and Eric Idle singing “Always Look On The Brighter Side Of Life” during the opening night curtain call for “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at the Shubert Theatre March 17, 2005 in New York
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
16/34 Hollywood Bowl
British comedy troupe Monty Python including (left to right) Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman (1941 – 1989), Terry Gilliam, and John Cleese, lounge about at the site of their filmed live show at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California, 1982
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
17/34 Taking a break
British actors, writers and comedians Graham Chapman (1941 – 1989 ) and Michael Palin (in police uniform) sitting in armchairs on Westminster Bridge, London in 1974
Evening Standard
18/34 Serious reporting
The Monty Python team imitate journalist and broadcaster Alan Whicker. Left to right: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman (1941 – 1989) and Terry Jones in 1971
Alan Howard/Getty Images
19/34 Group photo
Twenty years of Monty Python (1989) with Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman , Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Glliam
BBC
20/34 Having a fumble
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) with John Cleese
Universal Pictures
21/34 Tucking in
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
Universal Pictures
22/34 Very official
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
Universal Pictures
23/34 Playing dress up
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) with Michael Palin, Terry Glliam and Eric Idle
Universal Pictures
24/34 Live on stage
Monty Python Live at The Hollywood Bowl (1982) starring Eric Idle and Michael Palin
20th Century Fox
25/34 Pontius Pilate
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate
Python
26/34 Meaning of life
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Eric Idle as Harry the Haggler, Terry Jones as Mandy Cohen and Graham Chapman as Brian Cohen
Python
27/34 Crucified
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Eric Idle and Graham Chapman as Brian Cohen
Python
28/34 Brian Cohen
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Graham Chapman as Brian Cohen
Python
29/34 The Killer Rabbit scene
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): The Killer Rabbit scene
Python
30/34 Idle
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) with John Cleese and Eric Idle
Python
31/34 Knights in shining armour
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) with Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman
Python
32/34 On his lonesome
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969) with John Cleese
BBC
33/34 Ministry of Silly Walks
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969) with John Cleese
BBC
34/34 Back in the day
Monty Python (1969) starring Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese, and Michael Palin
BBC
1/34 Monty Python today
Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, John Oliver, and Terry Jones pose for a photo backstage at the “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” special screening during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at Beacon Theatre on 24 April 2015 in New York
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
2/34 Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969): The Dead Parrot Sketch with Michael Palin and John Cleese
BBC
3/34 Old girl
Terry Jones performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2914
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
4/34 Comedy troupe
Monty Python (1975) starring Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
Python
5/34 Double act
Michael Palin and John Cleese perform on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena on 20 July 2014 in London
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
6/34 Grumpy old man
Terry Gilliam performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
7/34 Head judge
Michael Palin and Eric Idle perform on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2914
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
8/34 Stage stars
Michael Palin performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
9/34 Hanging out
Terry Gilliam performs on the opening night of “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
10/34 Stripping off
Michael Palin performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
11/34 Stage presence
Terry Jones, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam perform on the opening night of “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
12/34 Sing it out
Michael Palin performs on the closing night of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly)’ at The O2 Arena in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
13/34 Monty Python Live
Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones perform on the opening night of “Monty Python Live (Mostly)” in 2014
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
14/34 On the red carpet
Director Ben Timlett, actors Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland, director Bill Jones, actor Terry Jones and director Jeff Simpson attend “A Liar’s Autobiography” premiere during the 56th BFI London Film Festival at the Empire Leicester Square on 16 October 2012 in London
Samir Hussein/Getty Images
15/34 Spamalot
David Hyde Pierce, Terry Jones, Mike Nichols, Michael Palin, Tim Curry and Eric Idle singing “Always Look On The Brighter Side Of Life” during the opening night curtain call for “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at the Shubert Theatre March 17, 2005 in New York
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
16/34 Hollywood Bowl
British comedy troupe Monty Python including (left to right) Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman (1941 – 1989), Terry Gilliam, and John Cleese, lounge about at the site of their filmed live show at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California, 1982
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
17/34 Taking a break
British actors, writers and comedians Graham Chapman (1941 – 1989 ) and Michael Palin (in police uniform) sitting in armchairs on Westminster Bridge, London in 1974
Evening Standard
18/34 Serious reporting
The Monty Python team imitate journalist and broadcaster Alan Whicker. Left to right: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman (1941 – 1989) and Terry Jones in 1971
Alan Howard/Getty Images
19/34 Group photo
Twenty years of Monty Python (1989) with Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman , Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Glliam
BBC
20/34 Having a fumble
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) with John Cleese
Universal Pictures
21/34 Tucking in
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
Universal Pictures
22/34 Very official
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
Universal Pictures
23/34 Playing dress up
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) with Michael Palin, Terry Glliam and Eric Idle
Universal Pictures
24/34 Live on stage
Monty Python Live at The Hollywood Bowl (1982) starring Eric Idle and Michael Palin
20th Century Fox
25/34 Pontius Pilate
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate
Python
26/34 Meaning of life
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Eric Idle as Harry the Haggler, Terry Jones as Mandy Cohen and Graham Chapman as Brian Cohen
Python
27/34 Crucified
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Eric Idle and Graham Chapman as Brian Cohen
Python
28/34 Brian Cohen
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) with Graham Chapman as Brian Cohen
Python
29/34 The Killer Rabbit scene
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): The Killer Rabbit scene
Python
30/34 Idle
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) with John Cleese and Eric Idle
Python
31/34 Knights in shining armour
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) with Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman
Python
32/34 On his lonesome
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969) with John Cleese
BBC
33/34 Ministry of Silly Walks
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969) with John Cleese
BBC
34/34 Back in the day
Monty Python (1969) starring Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese, and Michael Palin
BBC
“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.
“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. We 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’.”
After the sad news broke, actor David Schneider tweeted: “News that arrives like a punch to the gut. Thanks for making us laugh so much, Terry.”
Radio presenter Tony Blackburn added: “So sorry to hear Terry Jones has passed away, I just love Monty Python. RIP Terry and thanks for all the laughs.”
Comic Katy Brand tweeted: “So sorry about Terry Jones.
“Just a very, very, very funny man. And a kind, thoughtful, interesting, and curious one too. What a great body of work he has left though. #TerryJones.”
His death comes just weeks after that of Monty Python’s Neil Innes, who died on 29 December aged 75.
Last year Terry Gilliam, also a part of Monty Python, confirmed his friend’s condition had become so severe he could no longer speak.
Jones was an original member of the legendary comedy troupe, and was responsible for getting them together.
He met his writing partner Michael Palin while studying at Oxford University and they went on to write for British comedy shows together.
The duo went on to create Monty Python’s Flying Circus with Palin and Eric Idle as well as Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam.
The five surviving members, which also included Palin, Idle and Cleese, delighted fans when they reunited for a special live event in 2014,
Jones is survived by his wife Anna, and children Bill, Sally, Siri.
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