Monty Python was a comedy troupe of four Englishmen (John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Eric Idle), one Welshman (Terry Jones) and one American (Terry Gilliam).

The group formed in 1969 in London, England and are best known for their legendary and influential sketch comedy show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which ran for four seasons from 1969 to 1974.

The troupe also wrote and starred in the films And Now for Something Completely Different (1971), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), Monty Python Live At The Hollywood Bowl (1982) and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983).

Monty Pythoon ceased normal activity as a comedy troupe in 1983 although the members continue to appear in one another’s projects, and there have been sporadic reunions since.

Graham Chapman died of cancer on October 4, 1989, the day before Python’s 20th anniversary (thus being called “the greatest party pooper of all time” by Terry Jones). He had problems with alcohol and was a dedicated smoker of the pipe (he appears with a pipe in his hand in most of the Python sketches).

Terry Jones died on on January 21, 2020 after suffering from dementia for several years.