Biography
Who is Terry Gilliam?
Early life and education
Terrence Vance Gilliam was born on November 22, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father worked as a travelling salesman for Folgers before becoming a carpenter. The family eventually relocated to a nearby Minnesota town before moving to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Panorama City in 1952. During his youth at Birmingham High School, Terry Gilliam began reading Mad magazine, which heavily influenced his later creative style.
After finishing high school, Terry attended Occidental College. He graduated from the institution in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. While studying there, he also became a member of the California Epsilon chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Monty Python and animation career
Terry began his professional path as a strip cartoonist and animator. After moving to England, he contributed animated sequences to the children's television series Do Not Adjust Your Set. He soon became an integral part of Monty Python's Flying Circus, initially providing the distinct animated segments that linked sketches together and defined the group's visual language.
Over time, Terry became a full member of the comedy troupe alongside John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, and Graham Chapman. He also took on various acting roles in their sketches, often playing characters that required heavy makeup or uncomfortable costumes, such as a knight in armor. He designed covers for multiple Monty Python albums and co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail in 1975.
Filmmaking career and major works
Following his work with the comedy troupe, Terry established himself as a solo filmmaker. He directed the medieval comedy Jabberwocky in 1977, which starred Michael Palin. He gained widespread breakthrough success with the fantasy film Time Bandits in 1981, which formed the first part of his Trilogy of Imagination.
Terry continued directing influential and visually distinctive films throughout the following decades. His well-known directorial credits include the dystopian science fiction film Brazil, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Fisher King, and 12 Monkeys. Later in his career, he directed projects such as The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.
Personal life and citizenship
Terry is married to Maggie Weston, who has worked as a makeup artist on several film projects. Throughout his life, he has experienced significant geographic and national changes. As the only member of Monty Python not born in Britain, he became a naturalized British citizen in 1968.
Decades later, Terry formally renounced his American citizenship in 2006. His career in entertainment spans more than five decades, during which he has received numerous nominations and accolades for his contributions to cinema and animation.
Birthday and age
Terry Gilliam was born on November 22, 1940, which makes Terry 85 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Terry shares the date with 32 other famous people.
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