Sadly, we’ve lost some of the beloved stars of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Whether it was The Ministry Of Funny Walks, The Dead Parrot sketch, the Hells Grannies or The Spanish Inquisition sketch, Flying Circus has created some of comedy’s most iconic moments. The popular BBC series was first broadcast on this day (October 5) in 1969.
The comedy troupe left audiences in stitches with their surreal observational sketches. And it went on to make stars of its cast – with the troupe going on to release a number of legendary films along the way.
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The likes of John Cleese went on to star in hit comedy Fawlty Towers, which has now become a theatre production, and Michael Palin became a travel doc titan. Daily Star is taking a dive into where the cast ended up after the series wrapped.
John Cleese
(Image: BBC)
John Cleese is famous for a number of characters in Monty Python, as well as his Ministry Of Funny Walks and Dead Parrot sketches. As well as reuniting with his fellow Monty Python stars for a series of dates in London in 2014, John completed a series of tour dates with co-star Eric Idle across America between 2015 to 2016.
The 84-year-old star has since appeared in a number of hit comedies including Fawlty Towers, and films such as A Fish Called Wanda, The Great Muppet Caper and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, as well as lending his voice to the Shrek film series.
He also appeared as Bridwell in the 2022 film Clifford The Big Red Dog, opposite comedian Jack Whitehall. It wasn’t just fame that he found during his career however, he also found love with Connie Booth, who co-wrote and starred in Fawlty Towers with her husband.
(Image: Getty Images for SXSW)
The couple were married from 1968 to 1978, and welcomed a daughter together called Cynthia, who later appeared in A Fish Called Wanda alongside her dad. John later married actress and model Barbara Trentham in 1981, with who he has another daughter called Camilla.
Following their divorce in 1990, the star was married to Alyce Eichelberger from 1992 to 2008, and then to Jennifer Wade from 2012. However, his career has not been without its controversies, including a row last year with the BBC, where he blasted the “deception, dishonesty and tone” of interviewer Karishma Vaswani.
It is reported that he vowed to make a formal complaint, saying: “I just did an interview with BBC World Asia to talk about the shows I’m doing in Singapore and Bangkok. Instead, the interviewer, whose name was, I think, Karishma, started by asking me about cancel culture.”
He added: “She then asked a disjointed question, clearly trying to portray me as old-fashioned, uncaring and basically harmful.” John continued: “I removed my headphones, saying that this was not the interview I had agreed to. Karishma had no interest in a discussion with me. She wanted only the role of prosecutor.”
A BBC spokeswoman said in response to John’s statement: “This was a fair and appropriate interview which touched on topics John Cleese has previously been vocal about, as well as themes within his new tour.”
Eric Idle
(Image: Radio Times via Getty Images)
Eric Idle is not only famous for his many characters in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, but also providing audiences with the iconic Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life from the film Monty Python: The Life Of Brian.
Along with appearing in films including Monty Python and The Holy Grail, where he formed a close friendship with late Beatle and producer George Harrison, he also had his own TV series Rutland Weekend Television – whose Beatles parody band The Ruttles landed a fanbase all of their own.
Like his Monty Python co-stars, he has also appeared in hit Hollywood films including Nuns On The Run, The Wind In The Willows, Casper and competed in the 2022 series of The Masked Singer US as Hedgehog.
He also wrote the book and co-wrote the music and lyrics for the stage musical Spamalot. Away from the limelight, Eric has two children and has been married twice – first to Lyn Ashley from 1969 to 1975 and then to Tania Kosevich from 1981.
(Image: PA)
The star revealed that three years ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, after a doctor who was working with him on a project called Death: The Musical diagnosed him with the same disease as the lead character. Speaking to The Guardian, Eric explained: “I said: ‘What’s the quickest way to get rid of a character?’ and he said: ‘Pancreatic cancer.’
“This is the same doctor who ended up diagnosing me. That was the f*****g plot!”
He added: “I didn’t cry till I knew I was going to live. I just got on with it. I’m British! You try not to show emotions in the face of danger.” Appearing on the series launch of the Graham Norton Show recently, he also said: “I am definitely more grateful, grateful to be alive.”
“I am very fortunate and hopefully I can do a bit of good by raising money for research.” Eric has now teamed up with Stand up to Cancer in a bid to increase awareness for cancer research.
Terry Jones
(Image: BBC)
Terry Jones is fondly remembered for iconic catchphrases in sketches including “Spam, spam, spam and spam,” as well as his starring role as Brian’s mother in Monty Python: The Life Of Brian. After finding fame with the Pythons, he turned his talent behind the camera, directing films including The Wind In The Willows and Absolutely Anything.
He also wrote the script for iconic Jim Henson film The Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, as well as co-writing comedy Ripping Yarns with Python co-star Michael Palin. Terry did continue to make acting appearances however, starring in comedy series including The Young Ones and in Terry Gilliam’s Jabberwocky.
Away from the limelight, Terry had three children and was married twice – first to Alison Telfer from 1970 to 2012 and then to Anna Soderstrom from 2012 until his death in 2020. In 2015, Terry was diagnosed with dementia, which affected the star’s ability to speak and communicate.
(Image: Getty Images)
He first realised something was wrong during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) reunion show in July 2014, after he had difficulty learning his lines. Two years later in 2017, his co-star Michael Palin revealed the heartbreaking news that Terry could not speak any more.
On January 21, 2020 Terry died at the age of 77 years old, with his family announcing his death in a statement. It said: “We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humour has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades.”
They added: “We, his wife Anna, children Bill, Sally, Siri and extended family would like to thank Terry’s wonderful medical professionals and carers for making the past few years not only bearable but often joyful. We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely.”
Speaking of Terry’s death, Sir Michael Palin paid tribute, saying he was “kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full”.
Meanwhile, John Cleese said on X: “It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away.”
Michael Palin
(Image: PA)
Michael Palin was famous for his sketches including Bicycle Repair Man and The Spanish Inquisition in Monty Python’s Flying Circus – along with his whole host of characters that left viewers chuckling in Monty Python’s films.
The star continued to act after the series ended, co-writing and starring in the comedy Ripping Yarns, as well as reuniting with John Cleese for the film A Fish Called Wanda. He even made a cameo appearance as a tourist in a 1997 episode of Australian soap Home And Away.
However, Michael has become just as famous for his travel documentaries as his comedy work, including Around The World in 80 Days with Michael Palin, and 2022’s Michael Palin: Into Iraq for Channel 5.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
He was also made a CBE in 2000 and a Knight Commander of The Order Of St Michael and St George in 2019, for services to travel, culture and geography. However, Michael admitted to The Mirror that his last travel documentary will be his last, saying: “I don’t know where I want to go now. People say where are you going to now? I say the chemist.”
“I feel enormously privileged and grateful that I’ve done as much travelling as I have in the last 35 years. There have been good times, interesting times, exciting times, and adventure. But at a certain point you do have to be careful about what you do next.”
Michael is married to Helen Gibbins, with who he has three children called Rachel, Thomas and William.
Graham Chapman
(Image: Radio Times via Getty Images)
Graham Chapman played some of Monty Python’s most famous characters – from the Army Sergeant who used to say everything was getting a bit silly, to King Arthur and of course, Brian in Monty Python’s The Life Of Brian. After Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Graham played the pirate Yellowbeard in the 1983 film he wrote, alongside comedy legends including Marty Feldman and Peter Cook.
He also appeared in Iron Maiden’s music video for Can I Play With Madness, as well as reuniting with his Python co-stars for a 1989 TV programme called Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years Of Monty Python. He was due to appear in comedy series Red Dwarf, but sadly died before filming could begin from tonsil cancer on October 4, 1989 at the age of 48 years old.
In his personal life, Graham was in a relationship with his partner David Sherlock.
Terry Gilliam
(Image: Getty Images)
Terry Gilliam made a number of appearances in Monty Python’s Flying Circus and the group’s subsequent films – but he is also famous for providing the sketch show’s iconic art work. After Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Terry directed more than 13 feature films including Time Bandits, Jabberwocky, Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas and The Brothers Grimm.
It is reported that he is also involved with a TV series of Time Bandits, which is currently in pre-production. With such a stellar career both in front and behind the camera, it is no surprise that Terry is estimated to have a net worth of more than £44m.
Away from the limelight, Terry has been married to British make-up artist Maggie Weston since 1973, who also worked with him on Monty Python’s Flying Circus and their subsequent films. Together they have three children called Amy, Harry and Holly.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
