John Cleese, 85, makes heartbreaking ‘depression’ admission as he reflects on death and ageing: ‘You’re not prepared’
Comedy legend John Cleese has revealed he feels “depressed” about the deaths of numerous colleagues and friends.
The 85-year-old Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star made the candid confession during a recent interview with The Times.
Cleese spoke emotionally about the impact of losing many of his comedy co-stars over the years.
“All these lovely people. Geoffrey Palmer, Joan Sanderson, Ken Campbell, Bernard Cribbins, all these wonderful people that I’d really enjoyed working with, all dead,” the actor despaired.
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The Fawlty Towers creator described the painful realisation that kept occurring.
“Every time somebody came up and I thought, are they still alive? Dead! And I started getting a bit depressed and it was just loss, really, a realisation of the loss,” he admitted.
Cleese offered a stark warning about the challenges of ageing.
“I ought to warn your readers that when you get to your eighties, you’re not prepared,” he cautioned.
Quoting the American novelist Philip Roth’s perspective on growing old, the comedy icon surmised his thoughts on ageing.
“I think Philip Roth once finished one novel about old age by saying it’s a massacre,” Cleese added.
The former Python has also recently admitted: “I don’t have a house or a car.”
Cleese revealed he had handed over the keys to his flat to his fourth wife Jennifer Wade, 52.
“The third wife got two properties, one was in London and one was in New York, and we had to sell the other three. I’ve actually given the flat behind Peter Jones to Jennifer, so I don’t have a house, I don’t have a car,” he told The Times.
Joking, the 85-year-old added: “What’s the difference between a famous singer and a famous comedian? About $200million!”
Reflecting on his marriage to Jennifer Wade, who is 32 years his junior, Cleese admitted he “loved” their age dynamic.
“What I love is that she’s 30 years younger than I am, but she keeps me young… I mean, it is sad to think I shall die some time before she will, but I’m in pretty good health,” he deduced.
Regarding his own health challenges and brushes with mortality, the former Python’s gallows humour also shone through.
In 2021, Cleese underwent a minor operation to remove a cancerous patch from his leg.
At the time, he said: “Had a minor operation on Friday. A surgeon cut a small cancerous bit out of my leg. Very minor. At my age, this sort of thing happens about once a week!”
Despite his reflections on ageing, Cleese is taking proactive steps to maintain his health.
The actor revealed he spends approximately £17,000 annually on stem cell therapy.
Speaking to Saga magazine, he explained: “These cells travel around the body and when they discover a place that needs repair, they’ll then change into the cells that you want for repair.”
“So I think that’s why I don’t look bad for 84,” he added, referring to his appearance last year.
“If you’re buying yourself a few extra years, I think it’s worth it.”