---
name: "Terry Jones"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/terry-jones"
fi1m_id: "terry-jones"
imdb_id: "nm0001402"
tmdb_id: 10707
wikidata_id: "Q166159"
roles: ["Writer","Director","Actor"]
born: "1 February 1942"
died: "21 January 2020"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_as: "writer"
average_over: 1
updated: "2026-10-04T21:11:29.343458+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Terry Jones

## Identity

Terry Jones

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/terry-jones
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** terry-jones
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001402
- **TMDB ID:** 10707
- **Wikidata ID:** Q166159
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Jones, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q166159, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001402/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10707

Writer and director. Born 1 February 1942 in Colwyn Bay, Wales, UK. Died 21 January 2020.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer, Director, Actor
- **Born:** 1 February 1942, Colwyn Bay, Wales, UK
- **Died:** 21 January 2020
- **Active:** 1969–2015
- **Also known as:** Terence Graham Parry Jones , Monty Python Flying Circus, Montypython Flyingcircus, Monty Python, Terry C. Jonesberg, Terence Jonesprod, Alan Whicker
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 2 acting, 5 directing, 1 writing
- **Frequently works with:** [Eric Idle](https://film.one/person/eric-idle.md), [Graham Chapman](https://film.one/person/graham-chapman.md), [John Cleese](https://film.one/person/john-cleese.md), [Michael Palin](https://film.one/person/michael-palin.md), [Terry Gilliam](https://film.one/person/terry-gilliam.md), [John Goldstone](https://film.one/person/john-goldstone.md)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 83 (1), 1970s 88 (2), 1980s 69 (4), 2010s 34 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Jones, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q166159, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001402/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10707

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Life of Brian*](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md) (88), [*Monty Python and the Holy Grail*](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md) (87), [*Monty Python's Flying Circus*](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md) (83)
- **Disney+:** [*Labyrinth*](https://film.one/film/labyrinth.md) (74)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Erik the Viking*](https://film.one/film/erik-the-viking.md) (43)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Absolutely Anything*](https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything.md) (34)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Terry Jones

> Terry Jones wrote and directed comedy that runs on structure rather than punchlines, and in *Life of Brian* and *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* the structure holds. Working outside the troupe, on *Labyrinth*, the odd encounters kept coming and the story behind them wandered.

Terry Jones's own face on screen usually belongs to a woman: Mandy Cohen in *Life of Brian* (1979), shrieking at a crowd she never asked for, certain of everything and right about very little. It is a small part and it tells you what he found funny. Not the line so much as the person delivering it with total conviction, and the people who insist on listening. As Sir Bedevere in *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975) he conducts a witch trial with a schoolmaster's patience while the reasoning gets worse at every step. We laughed and then felt slightly sick, because nobody in the scene doubts himself for a second and Jones never stops to say they are wrong.

He came to that as a writer. Jones and Michael Palin wrote together for 1960s television, *The Frost Report* and *Do Not Adjust Your Set* among them, before *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), where Jones pushed for sketches that flowed into one another rather than stopping for a punchline. It is why the series still feels loose and exact at the same time. The weaker stretches run long, but the cast's command of pompous speech carries them, and Jones is the most forceful of the five when the shouting starts. He co-directed *Holy Grail* with Terry Gilliam and then directed *Life of Brian* and *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983) on his own. He said he "was always totally concerned about the finished product and how things looked", and it shows: *Holy Grail* is more carefully made than its horse substitutes suggest.

*Life of Brian* is the best of it, a comedy about the urge to tell other people what to believe, with Graham Chapman giving the arguments something to push against. *Holy Grail* is nearly as good, though Jones and Gilliam are sometimes too fond of a joke to notice it has already worked. *The Meaning of Life* is the patchiest of the three, saved by the musical number and the clerks' rebellion and let down by gross-out material that mistakes our endurance for an inexhaustible supply. Outside the troupe, his screenplay for *Labyrinth* (1986) hands Jim Henson's creatures a run of strange encounters and gives Jennifer Connelly's Sarah rather less to feel. It went through heavy rewrites and Jones said the finished film was not entirely his. Reviews of his later solo features, *Personal Services* (1987), *Erik the Viking* (1989) and *The Wind in the Willows* (1996), have generally found them patchier than the Python films.

He spent much of his last stretch on children's books and medieval history programmes, which is where Bedevere's trial came from in the first place. Start with *Life of Brian*, and watch the crowd rather than the man they are following. That is where Jones was always looking.

## Biography

Terence Graham Parry Jones (1942–2020) was a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and director. He was a member of the Monty Python comedy troupe and appeared as various characters while also writing for the television series *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969–1974).

Jones studied English at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he performed in revues with Michael Palin. Before Monty Python he wrote for *The Frost Report* and appeared in *Do Not Adjust Your Set* (1967–1969) and *The Complete and Utter History of Britain* (1969). He co-directed *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975) with Terry Gilliam and directed *Monty Python's Life of Brian* (1979) and *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983).

His other film work includes acting and writing credits on *Jabberwocky* (1977), *Erik the Viking* (1989) and *Absolutely Anything* (2015).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

### Performed in (2)

- *The Young Ones* (1982), Fi1m 82, as Vicar — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-young-ones.md)
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), Fi1m 83, as Various — [page](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md)

### Directed (5)

- *Absolutely Anything* (2015), Fi1m 34, as Scientist Alien (voice) / Van Driver — [page](https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything.md)
- *Erik the Viking* (1989), Fi1m 43, as King Arnulf — [page](https://film.one/film/erik-the-viking.md)
- *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983), Fi1m 76, as Various Roles — [page](https://film.one/film/monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life.md)
- *Life of Brian* (1979), Fi1m 88, as Mandy Cohen / Colin / Simon the Holy Man / Bob Hoskins / Saintly Passer-by / Alarmed Crucifixion Assistant — [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md)
- *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), Fi1m 87, as Dennis's Mother / Sir Bedevere / Left Head / Prince Herbert / Voice of Cartoon Scribe — [page](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md)

### Wrote (1) — the average rests on these

- *Labyrinth* (1986), Fi1m 74, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/labyrinth.md)

## Complete filmography (89)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Land of Sometimes* (2026), as The Wish Watch (voice) · In Memory Of
- *Boom Bust Boom* (2015), Director, Co-Writer
- *In Charlie Chaplin's Footsteps* (2015), as Narrator
- *Absolutely Anything* (2015), as Scientist Alien (voice) / Van Driver · Director, Screenplay — Fi1m 34, [page](https://film.one/film/absolutely-anything.md)
- *Monty Python Live (Mostly)* (2014), Writer
- *The New Incomplete And Utter History Of Everything* (2014), Actor
- *Not The Messiah: The Road To Albert Hall* (2010), Actor
- *Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)* (2010), as Workingman / Mexican / Mountie
- *Stories from East of the Moon* (2010), Story
- *King Guillaume* (2009), as Le professeur d'Oxford
- *The Legend of Dick and Dom* (2009), series, Actor
- *Terry Jones' Great Map Mystery* (2008), series, as Presenter
- *Penguins April Fool - The Making of* (2008), Actor
- *Miracles of Evolution* (2008), as (presenter)
- *Life Of Brian Screenplay* (2008), as Mandy Cohen, Colin, Simon the Holy Man, Bob Hoskins · Screenplay
- *Hitler: The Comedy Years* (2007), as Landlady (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Anna and the Moods* (2007), as Narrator (voice)
- *Terry Jones' Barbarians* (2006), series, Actor
- *Terry Jones' Barbarians* (2006), Presenter, Writer
- *Locked Out* (2006), as Un SDF
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—John Cleese's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus — Michael Palin's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Roles (archive footage)
- *Monty Python's Personal Best* (2006), series, Creator
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best* (2006), as Various Characters
- *The Story of 1* (2005), as Él Mismo
- *Bottom Mindless Violence* (2004), as Drunk Vicar (archive footage)
- *Terry Jones' Medieval Lives* (2004), series, Writer
- *The Surprising History of Sex and Love* (2002), Writer
- *Dinotopia* (2002), series, as Messenger Bird (voice)
- *The Hidden History of Egypt* (2002), Writer
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Espionage Escapades* (2000), as Marcello · Director
- *Le Créateur* (1999), as Dieu
- *Gladiators: The Brutal Truth* (1999), as Host
- *Ancient Inventions* (1998), series, Writer
- *The Wind in the Willows* (1996), as Toad · Director, Screenplay, Songs
- *Blazing Dragons* (1996), series, Creator
- *Crusades* (1995), series, Writer
- *The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles* (1992), series, as Marcello · Director
- *L.A. Story* (1991), as Sara's Mother (voice) (uncredited)
- *8:15 from Manchester* (1990), series, Actor
- *Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python* (1989), Writer
- *Erik the Viking* (1989), as King Arnulf · Director, Screenplay — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/erik-the-viking.md)
- *Consuming Passions* (1988), Theatre Play
- *Scarfe's Follies* (1988), Actor
- *Personal Services* (1987), Director
- *Labyrinth* (1986), Screenplay — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/labyrinth.md)
- *Omnibus Presents Comic Relief* (1986), series, Actor
- *Monty Python's The Meaning of Life* (1983), as Various Roles · Screenplay, Director — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/monty-pythons-the-meaning-of-life.md)
- *The Crimson Permanent Assurance* (1983), as Window Cleaner / Bert (uncredited)
- *The Young Ones* (1982), series, as Vicar — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-young-ones.md)
- *Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl* (1982), as Various Roles · Writer
- *The Box* (1981), as Harrington · Screenplay
- *Peter Cook & Co.* (1980), as Various Characters
- *Roger of the Raj* (1979), Writer
- *Golden Gordon* (1979), Writer
- *Whinfrey's Last Case* (1979), Writer
- *Life of Brian* (1979), Mandy Cohen / Colin / Simon the Holy Man / Bob Hoskins / Saintly Passer-by / Alarmed Crucifixion Assistant, Director, Screenplay — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-brian.md)
- *The Curse of the Claw* (1977), Writer
- *Across the Andes by Frog* (1977), Writer
- *Murder at Moorstones Manor* (1977), Writer
- *Escape from Stalag Luft 112B* (1977), Writer
- *The Testing of Eric Olthwaite* (1977), Writer
- *The Mermaid Frolics* (1977), as Various · Director, Writer
- *The Broken Bottle* (1977), Actor
- *Jabberwocky* (1977), as Poacher
- *Ripping Yarns* (1976), series, Writer, Creator
- *Tomkinson's Schooldays* (1976), Mr. Ellis / Bear / Mr. Moodie / Director, Writer
- *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (1975), as Dennis's Mother / Sir Bedevere / Left Head / Prince Herbert / Voice of Cartoon Scribe · Director, Writer — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail.md)
- *Henry Cleans Up* (1974), as Albert
- *Secrets* (1973), Writer
- *Black and Blue* (1973), series, Writer
- *Is This a Record?* (1973), as Various, Additional Writing
- *Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus* (1972), series, as Various Characters
- *The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971* (1971), Writer
- *And Now for Something Completely Different* (1971), Stage Manager / Tobacconist / 2nd Hungarian Man / Squire / Self-defence student #3 / Tenant #1 / Flasher / Mouse Organist Ken Ewing / Fat Soldier / Waiter / Nude Organist / Brian / Nigel Incubator Jones, Screenplay
- *Euroshow '71: May Day Special* (1971), as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus)
- *The Two Ronnies* (1971), series, Writer
- *Monty Python's Flying Circus* (1969), series, as Various · Writer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/monty-pythons-flying-circus.md)
- *The Complete and Utter History of Britain* (1969), series, Writer, Creator
- *Do Not Adjust Your Set* (1967), series, Various Characters, Writer
- *Twice a Fortnight* (1967), series, Actor
- *Omnibus* (1967), series, Actor
- *A Series of Bird's* (1967), series, as Additional Writing
- *Monty Python: Live at Aspen*, series, Creator
- *Labyrinth 2*, Original Film Writer
- *Close-Up Toothpaste Relaunch*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Terry Jones](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-2b4b9451519c.jpg) Terry Jones — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Terry_Jones_Monty_Python_O2_Arena_%28cropped%29_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of all six members of Monty Python in Monastir, Tunisia, 1978 (left to right): John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Michael ](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-3e9573d33a34.jpg) Publicity photo of all six members of Monty Python in Monastir, Tunisia, 1978 (left to right): John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Michael  — Distributed by Arista Records (Q664167), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/All_six_members_of_Monty_Python_in_1978.jpg/1280px-All_six_members_of_Monty_Python_in_1978.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo 02-07-14 10 45 45 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-1cdc058b3014.jpg) Photo 02-07-14 10 45 45 (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana from Antofagasta, Chile, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_10_45_45_%2814621992853%29.jpg/1280px-Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_10_45_45_%2814621992853%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo 02-07-14 10 48 09 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-6d83a2358343.jpg) Photo 02-07-14 10 48 09 (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana from Antofagasta, Chile, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_10_48_09_%2814621998973%29.jpg/1280px-Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_10_48_09_%2814621998973%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Terry Jones](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-559b99461b67.jpg) Terry Jones — Image via TMDB
- ![Photo 02-07-14 11 35 33 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-966a51adf76f.jpg) Photo 02-07-14 11 35 33 (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana from Antofagasta, Chile, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_11_35_33_%2814415537617%29.jpg/1280px-Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_11_35_33_%2814415537617%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo 02-07-14 12 24 16 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60074/gallery-199a721a091f.jpg) Photo 02-07-14 12 24 16 (2014) — Eduardo Unda-Sanzana from Antofagasta, Chile, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_12_24_16_%2814598681721%29.jpg/1280px-Monty_Python_Live_02-07-14_12_24_16_%2814598681721%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 3 won

- Time Machine Award 2015: Time Machine Award (won)
- Annual award ACFK 2004: Annual award ACFK (won)
- European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award 2001: European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/terry-jones