Terry-Thomas, 78, British Film Comedian

LONDON - Terry-Thomas, the gap-toothed British comedian who played the cad in dozens of films, died today. He was 78.

Terry-Thomas, disabled and impoverished by Parkinson's disease, died at a nursing home in Godalming, Surrey, according to an announcement from the Parkinson's Disease Society.

The star of films including ``I'm All Right, Jack'' and ``It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' had battled the degenerative muscle disease for 15 years and had been unable to work for several years.

A gala benefit was held in London last April that raised $51,000 for his care, but he was too ill to attend.

His late film roles included ``The Last Remake of Beau Geste'' in 1977 and ``The Hound of the Baskervilles'' in 1978.

He was born Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens on July 14, 1911, and took his first two names for stage use until too many people thought he was related to actress Ellen Terry.

Terry-Thomas' first film appearance was in ``Helter Skelter'' in

1949.