Seriously Silly

The Life of Terry Jones (the authorised biography)

Robert Ross

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Coronet
11 November 2025

Film, TV & Radio; Biography: arts & entertainment; Coping with illness; Humour

'This book is timely. I hope it will send people back to his work, whether it be films he's directed, roles he's played . . . and everything else that made him everybody's favourite polymath'

Michael Palin

Seriously Silly is an intimate portrait of Terry Jones - Python, actor, director, historian, reluctant national treasure and purveyor of sincere silliness - written by the man he chose to tell the story of his life.

From his Welsh upbringing in Colwyn Bay, to meeting his lifelong friend Michael Palin at Oxford through revue sketches, anarchic children's shows and the creative genius of Monty Python, this is the story of a comedy legend. Throughout this journey, Terry's extraordinary determination and resilience shine through, not least in his final years as he battled with dementia.

Written by his close friend Robert Ross, with a foreword from Michael Palin (and the blessing of and cooperation of his family and the people who knew him best) Seriously Silly is not only the definitive celebration of a true pioneer of comedy, but a loving portrayal of the man behind the laughter.

By: Robert Ross
Imprint: Coronet
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9781399742924
ISBN 10: 1399742922
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 11 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Robert Ross is Britain's comedy historian, whose books include biographies of Marty Feldman, Sid James and Peter Sellers, as well as the Monty Python Encyclopedia. He has also toured a number of 'comedy history' shows, including 'Oh, What A Carry On!', 'Christmas Crackers', and 'Forgotten Heroes of Comedy'. He was a close personal friend of Terry Jones and is very proud to have written his authorised biography.

Reviews for Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones (the authorised biography)

This book is timely. I hope it will send people back to his work, whether it be films he's directed, roles he's played . . . and everything else that made him everybody's favourite polymath. -- Michael Palin