Terry Jones, of Monty Python fame, diagnosed with dementia
LONDON Terry Jones, one of the founding members of comedy troupe Monty Python, has been diagnosed with dementia.
In a statement released by Britain’s film academy, a representative says the 74-year-old has primary progressive aphasia, which erodes the ability to use language. As a result, Jones can no longer give interviews.
The news came in a statement announcing he is to receive an award for outstanding contribution to film and television from the academy’s Welsh branch. “Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations,” the statement said.
The film academy, BAFTA Cymru, plans to honor him with a Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television at its ceremony October 2.
In the late 1960s Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and the late Graham Chapman formed the surreal and anarchic Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Jones directed the Python films “Life Of Brian” and “Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life.” With Gilliam, he co-directed “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.”
He joined the other surviving members of the group on stage last year for a 40th anniversary celebration of “Monty Python and The Holy Grail” at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival. They performed together in a live reunion show in London in 2014.