John Cleese has led the tributes to his former Monty Python co-star Terry Jones, following the news of his death.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Terry had died at the age of 77, following what his family described as “a long, extremely brave but always good humoured battle” with a rare form of dementia.
Reacting to the news, John paid his respects on his
Twitter to his late friend’s “many talents” and “endless enthusiasm”.
He tweeted: “Just heard about Terry J… it feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away.
“Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of Life Of Brian. Perfection.”John also tweeted “two down, four to go”, referring to the fact that Terry is the second of the six members of Monty Python to die:Just heard about Terry JIt feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away...Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of 'Life of Brian'. PerfectionTwo down, four to go— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) January 22, 2020Meanwhile, co-star Michael Palin told the BBC: “Terry was one of my closest, most valued friends. He was kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.
“He 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.”A number of other stars from the world of
comedy and entertainment have paid their respects, including Stephen Fry and
Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker:Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 22, 2020RIP the actual genius Terry Jones. Far too many brilliant moments to choose from. Here’s one random wafer-thin mint. https://t.co/qMrR9aOV9s— Charlie Brooker (@charltonbrooker) January 22, 2020We're saddened to hear of the passing of Terry Jones. Here he is receiving the Special Award For Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television from friend and fellow Python Michael Palin, at the 2016 @BAFTACymru Awards. pic.twitter.com/iQGLTWIQyL— BAFTA (@BAFTA) January 22, 2020Thank you Terry for a lifetime of laughter. pic.twitter.com/Z1dqfNklJ9— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) January 22, 2020The Beatles of comedy. pic.twitter.com/7ZwajMIzy4— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) January 22, 2020RIP Terry Jones 💔 pic.twitter.com/Icea9jhuTp— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) January 22, 2020The influence of Monty Python and reading this book was the catalyst for me applying to drama school, thank you Terry Jones for inspiring so many of us ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TZAsr6L9i2— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) January 22, 2020So 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— Katy Brand (@KatyFBrand) January 22, 2020News that arrives like a punch to the gut. Thanks for making us laugh so much, Terry. https://t.co/v5W9KyO14I— David Schneider (@davidschneider) January 22, 2020Genius. RIP Terry Jones https://t.co/RiypbUFpxk— Lorraine (@reallorraine) January 22, 2020Remembering Terry Jones, pictured below at Elstree Studios. Jones was an
Actor, Director, Comedy creative & part of the iconic Monty Python cast. He portrayed of some of the films' most memorable characters including in The Meaning of Life (1983) which was made at Elstree. pic.twitter.com/FGULLIBAIj— Elstree Studios (@ElstreeStudios) January 22, 2020Lovely Terry Jones, the heart of Python. Ripping Yarns remains so gloriously funny, and Bert Fegg's Nasty Book For Boys & Girls made me laugh like a small fool when I was eight. Very sad to see him go.— Simon Blackwell (@simonblackwell) January 22, 2020Terry was one of the founding members of the Monty Python, with whom he would go on to appear in films like Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life, which he directed, as well as starring in.
In 2014, he and his co-stars reunited for a string of shows at London’s O2 Arena.
The following year, Terry was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a form of dementia which affects communication.
He revealed in an interview that he’d first grown concerns while rehearsing for Monty Python’s O2 shows, as he’d struggled to remember his lines.
By 2016, he was no longer giving interviews to the press. A year later, co-star Michael Palin revealed that Terry no longer had the ability to speak as a result of his condition.