Sad news today that I wish was spam spam spam: talented writer, director, actor, historian, author, and Monty Python member Terry Jones has passed away. Terry J started his career in the Oxford Review, where he met collaborator and future Python co-founder, Michael Palin. Spy Vibers will remember Terry's work in Python's hilarious TV series and in the feature films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Life of Brian (which Terry directed), but his curiosity and output was even more prolific. Here are just a few notable faves Terry had a hand in making: Do Not Adjust Your Set (co-writer, performer), The Complete and Utter History of Britain (co-writer, performer), Ripping Yarns (co-writer, performer), Douglas Adams' Starship Titanic (co-author), and Labyrinth (screenplay). He also created countless children's books, scholarly non-fiction, documentaries, columns, and poetry. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2015 and spent his final years unable to speak. I was sad to hear about his decline, but found some solace in hearing that Terry was able to meet his friend and collaborator, Michael Palin, for their regular walks on Hamstead Heath. Terry passed away January 21st at the age of 77. Some words for Terry follow. Stephen Fry: "Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammeled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind." Michael Palin: "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. I feel very fortunate to have shared so much of my life with him and my heart goes out to Anna, Alison and all his family." Eric Idle: "I loved him the moment I saw him on stage at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963. So many laughs, moments of total hilarity onstage and off we have all shared with him. It’s too sad if you knew him, but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us." John Cleese: "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. Two down, four to go." Terry Gilliam: "HE WAS A VERY NAUGHTY BOY!!... and we miss you. Terry was someone totally consumed with life.. a brilliant, constantly questioning, iconoclastic, righteously argumentative and angry but outrageously funny and generous and kind human being and very often a complete pain in the ass. One could never hope for a better friend." Sadly, we also lost his collaborator in Python and Do Not Adjust Your Set, Neil Innes, less than a month ago. There are times I wish we could stop the clocks, but thankfully the laughs never end.
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