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Terry Gilliam apologises for being 'dead'

On Tuesday (Sept 8) Variety announced that director iconic director Terry Gilliam had died.

Gilliam, 74, is famed for mind bending films such as 12 Monkeys, Time Bandits, Brazil and being a member of the seminal Monty Python team.

Also, he is not dead.

The Independent reported that by Tuesday evening, thousands had shared Gilliam's so-called obituary.

The article, titled Monty Python's Terry Gilliam, Director of Brazil, dies at XXX, said:

"Director Terry Gilliam, the only American member of the Monty Python comedy troupe and an Oscar nominee for the screenplay to his film Brazil, has died.

"Gilliam directed 12 feature films, often with baroque or surreal themes, including Time Bandits, Brazil and The Fisher King.

"His films inspired intense reactions; several were cult classics with devoted followings, but they were generally flawed enough to inspire loathing from those not on the same bawdy, anarchical comedy wavelength."

Since the Oscar-nominated director was still very much alive, this gaffe gave netizens an excuse to have a field day online.

Netizens got really creative with the false news.

Many quoted the famous Python's Dead Parrot sketch.

"Terry Gilliam is not dead. He's resting... he's stunned... he's pining for the fjords."

Referencing Monty Python and the Holy Gail, Twitter user Scott Linnen wrote: "Terry Gilliam is not dead.

"A witch once turned him into a newt. But he got better."

 

 

 

 

According to The Guardian, Variety retracted the article and posted an apology on Twitter:

"Variety incorrectly published an article stating that director Terry Gilliam passed away.

"We're deeply sorry for the mistake."

 

 

On Facebook, Gilliam showed his sense of humour by apologising for his "death"  as creatively as you'd expect for the former animator.

Mirror reported that he posted this picture on the social networking site.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK/ TERRY GILLIAM

He wrote: "I apologize for being dead especially to those who have already bought tickets to the upcoming talks, but, Variety has announced my demise.

"Don't believe their retraction and apology!"

Gilliam is due to release an autobiography on Oct 1.

He will also be giving talks on his memoir in New York on Oct 20 and in London on Oct 7.

Source: The Independent, The Guardian, Mirror UK 

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