Contrary to what you may have read online, "Brazil" director and Monty Python veteran Terry Gilliam is still very much alive.

Variety accidentally published an obituary for the 74-year-old filmmaker on Tuesday -- "Monty Python's Terry Gilliam, Director of 'Brazil,' Dies at XXX," the headline read -- before quickly deleting the article and issuing a correction: "Variety incorrectly published an article stating that director Terry Gilliam passed away. We're deeply sorry for the mistake."

Gilliam responded this morning with an apology of his own, and urged fans not to believe Variety's clarification.

"I apologize for being dead," he wrote on Facebook, "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!"

However, the trade publication's error did result in some positive effects: It turned the spotlight on the filmography of Gilliam ("12 Monkeys," "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," "Time Bandits," et al), and launched countless Monty Python references on Twitter.

Terry Gilliam dead? Did somebody press the publish button on the wrong post? pic.twitter.com/LyiB3Z64pR

— Sean Fitzgerald (@SeanDFitzgerald) September 8, 2015