Terry Gilliam apologizes for 'being dead' after newspaper mistakenly prints his obituary

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Monty Python icon Terry Gilliam took to social media to mock Variety for mistakenly printing his obituary this week.

"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 tweeted with a link to his Facebook page, which featured a black and white photo with his face superimposed over that of a man who looks to be on his deathbed.

An old woman, dressed in mourning clothes and kneeling beside the body is holding a sign that says: "He was only 30! Bad reviews from Variety aged him!"

The entertainment industry trade newspaper published the premature death notice Tuesday, but quickly realized the error and posted the message: "CORRECTION: Variety incorrectly published an article stating that director Terry Gilliam passed away. We're deeply sorry for the mistake."

In addition to being a founding member of the famed comedy troupe Monty Python, Gilliam, 74, is a filmmaker of note, having directed the movies Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Brazil, 12 Monkeys, The Fisher King and Time Bandits.