Monty Python star Terry Jones dead at 77

Terry Jones, a member of the Monty Python comedy group, has died, his agent said Wednesday. He was 77.

The Welsh actor’s family said in a statement that he died Tuesday evening following "a long, extremely brave but always good-humored battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD,” according to the BBC and The Associated Press.

“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,” the statement read.

With Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam, Jones formed Monty Python’s Flying Circus, whose anarchic humor helped revolutionize British comedy. Jones appeared in the troupe’s TV series and films including “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “The Life of Brian.”

After the group split in the 1980s, Jones went on to host several documentaries and write historical non-fiction, CNN reported. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1986 musical fantasy film “Labyrinth," according to the news network.

“His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programmes, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath,” family members said in their statement Wednesday. “We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely.”

Jones announced in 2016 that he had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a neurological syndrome that progressively impairs a person’s ability to communicate, according to The New York Times.

Jones is survived by his wife, Anna Soderstrom, and children Bill, Sally and Siri, according to the statement.

Fans and friends took to social media to remember Jones.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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