‘Monty Python’ Star Admits He’s Working ‘Normal’ Jobs Now At 80 Years Old

Monty Python star Eric Idle became famous for co-creating and starring in the sketch series Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which aired from 1969 to 1974. The actor contributed to the success of the Monty Python franchise by writing and performing songs like “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” and “Galaxy Song,” which were featured in the series.

The British comedy troupe featuring other members—John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Graham Chapman—also released films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979), and The Meaning of Life (1983). Recently, Idle set the record straight about the commercial success of Monty Python and people’s perception of his financial status due to the franchise’s popularity.

Monty Python star claims he is still working at 80 so he can afford his lifestyle

Idle took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain his financial standing despite creating a masterpiece five and half decades ago, which has been cited in many college students’ projects. “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded. Python is a disaster. Spamalot made money 20 years ago,” Idle shared. “I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”

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“We own everything we ever made in Python, and I never dreamed that at this age, the income streams would tail off so disastrously,” he added.

Monty Python’s initial success

Monty Python‘s 1975 movie Holy Grail inspired Idle to write a musical, Spamalot, which debuted in 2004 and had a massive reception from fans. Spamalot‘s success also influenced the British comedy troupe’s first tour, which generated $175 million in revenue.

In 2012, Idle was invited to perform a song, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” from the 1979 Monty Python movie Life of Brian, for the closing ceremony of the London Olympics. Due to the franchise’s popularity, fans would expect that the Monty Python members would have cashed out big and would not need to work a day more if they chose to, but the reverse is the case.

Idle blames the introduction of new streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify for making it hard for them to get royalties for their production as people no longer watch shows on traditional networks and purchase DVDs, Blu-rays, and CDs.

Aside from the plummeting streaming incomes, which is affecting the group financially, Idle also pointed an accusing finger at one of the troupe member’s daughters, Terry Gilliam, for mismanaging the group. Terry’s daughter, Holly, served as Python’s manager, and it seems the octogenarian didn’t like how she ran things.

“I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager, you should not be so surprised,” he said. “One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”