Sad bit of news to report this morning as its been revealed that comedic legend, actor, writer, and director Terry Jones has passed away. The Wales native was seventy-seven years old.
Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales on February 1, 1942, Jones studied English at Oxford University in the 1960s. It was there that he met fellow comedic collaborator Michael Palin. The pair starred in the early sketch comedy shows Twice A Fortnight and Do Not Adjust Your Set. In 1969 Jones and Palin, along with Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, and Terry Gilliam created the world famous Monty Python's Flying Circus. Jones famously played many iconic roles on the sketch comedy show, including a Spanish Inquisition Cardinal and a member of the Hell's Grannies. The show ran for four seasons and fifty years later is still widely viewed in syndication.
When Monty Python's Flying Circus ended in 1974 the troupe stayed together and Terry Jones would go on to direct the group in MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN, and MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE. Outside of Python, Terry Jones directed numerous other features including ERIK THE VIKING and THE WIND AND THE WILLOWS. He also helmed multiple episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles on ABC.
Besides being a talented director and actor, Terry Jones was also a gifted author. Over a two decade span Jones wrote over twenty childrens' books. An incredibly intelligent man, Jones additionally was a noted historical scholar penning multiple non-fiction books, many of which were about the medieval era. His 2004 television work Terry Jones' Medieval Lives was nominated for an Emmy.
Terry Jones is also credited with writing the script for the beloved 1980s classic LABYRINTH. His last work as a director was 2014's ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING starring Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale. After that Jones stepped mostly out of the limelight due to battling a rare form of dementia that left Jones unable to speak in September 2016. After battling the illness for several years, Jones finally succumbed yesterday. Terry Jones leaves behind three children and his wife Anna Soderstrom.
We here at JoBlo wish to extend our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Terry Jones. He was a true comedic icon and will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace.