Eric Idle has hit out at Holly Gilliam over ‘Monty Python’s financing “disaster” that has kept him working.
Eric Idle has hit out at Holly Gilliam over Monty Python's financing 'disaster' that has kept him working
The 80-year-old comedian starred in the beloved BBC sitcom alongside Michael Palin, 80, Terry Gilliam, 83, and John Cleese, 84. Despite appearing in one of the most popular shows, Eric revealed he still has to work because of a lack of sufficient royalties and claimed that Holly Gilliam, the TV lawyer of Terry, who took over the brand in 2013 is the reason behind his financial struggles.
Taking to X (formally Twitter) he wrote: “We own everything we ever made in ‘Python’ and I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. I have been working and earning for ‘Python’s since 1995. And now no more.
“But I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager, you should not be so surprised. One Gilliam is bad enough; two can take out any company.”
In a separate post, he added: “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded.
“Python’ is a disaster. ‘Spamalot’ made money 20 years ago. I have to work for my living. Not easy at this age.”
Eric’s daughter Lily praised her father for standing up against the “bullies”.
She wrote: “I’m so proud of my dad for finally starting to share the truth.
"He has always stood up to bullies and narcissists and absolutely deserves reassurance and validation for doing so.”
Even though he is unhappy about his ‘Monty Python’ financial “disaster”, Eric admitted he was “fine” and didn’t mind working.
He wrote: “I’m fine. I’m engaged and writing. It’s the thing I do and like the most. Creating a new show. Something that feels so completely normal. Been doing it since 1963. I have learned a lot. But then I had some great mentors.”
Tagged in Eric Idle John Cleese Terry Gilliam