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Monty Python star Terry Jones dies at 77 after dementia diagnosis

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Monty Python star Terry Jones dies at 77 after dementia diagnosis

LONDON — Monty Python star Terry Jones has died at the age of 77, his family said in a statement on Wednesday. The actor, comedy writer, director and author was diagnosed with dementia in 2015.

Actor and writer Terry Jones at a script conference for “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” in 1974.Chris Ridley / Radio Times via Getty Images file

Jones’ wife and three children said they had lost “a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humor has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades.”

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Jones’ fellow Python Michael Palin told the U.K. news agency Press Association: “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.”

Fellow comedy stars and writers including Stephen Fry, Neil Gaiman and “The Usual Suspects” screenwriter Chris McQuarrie led tributes to Jones Wednesday.

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, 2020

36 years ago I met Terry Jones. I was meant to interview him. I asked for tea, so he opened a bottle of Chablis & got me drunk. He was funny, brilliant and honest. He was irrepressible and is seen here repressing the very young me. Rest in Peace, Terry. You were an inspiration. pic.twitter.com/fNBJZwOFcX

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) January 22, 2020

The magnificent Terry Jones has died.

It the only thing he ever did that wasn’t funny.

Thank you for my gloriously misspent youth, Sir. And Godspeed.

— Christopher McQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) January 22, 2020

Born in Wales, Jones was a central part of Monty Python’s anarchic brand of comedy as seen on the eponymous TV show in the early 1970s as both a writer and performer.

Jones was regarded as an accomplished director, co-directing perhaps the group’s best-known movie, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” alongside Terry Gilliam. He was the sole director on 1979s “Life of Brian” and “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life” in 1983.

He wrote and directed a long list of TV and film projects after the Pythons, including the 1989 movie “Erik the Viking,” starring Tim Robbins and Mickey Rooney, a wrote a series of books.

Jones received the BAFTA awards for Outstanding Contribution to TV in 2016, when Jones took to the stage accompanied by his son, who gave the acceptance speech on his behalf.

Image: Patrick SmithPatrick Smith

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

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