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'Naughty Boy': Monty Python Star Terry Jones Dies at 77

Associated Press

   LONDON - Terry Jones, a founding member of the anarchic Monty Python
   troupe who was hailed by colleagues as "the complete Renaissance
   comedian" an d "a man of endless enthusiasms," has died after a battle
   with dementia.

   Jones' family said the 77-year-old died Tuesday evening at his home in
   London. In a statement, his family said he died "after a long,
   extremely brave but always good humored battle with a rare form of
   dementia, FTD."
   Jones' wife, Anna Soderstrom, and children Bill, Sally and Siri, said
   "we have all 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."

   "His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programs,
   poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true
   polymath," they said.

   Born in Wales in 1942, Jones attended Oxford University, where he began
   writing and performing with fellow student Michael Palin.

   After leaving university, he wrote for seminal 1960s comedy series,
   including "The Frost Report" and "Do Not Adjust Your Set." At the end
   of the decade he, along with Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham
   Chapman and Terry Gilliam, formed Monty Python's Flying Circus, whose
   irreverent humor -- a blend of satire, surrealism and silliness --
   helped revolutionize British comedy.

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