Being one of the UK’s greatest comedians, Billy connoly was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland.
He dropped out of school to work in the shipyards, where he became a welder and joined the Territorial Army, in the paratroopers division. He soon became interested in folk music, learning to play the banjo and was part of the band. Humblebums.
In the band’s performances, he would tell jokes between songs, gradually becoming a comedian. Having made a name for himself in Scotland, he made a name for himself in the UK, when he appeared on the series “Parkinson“(1971), in the early ’70s.
In 1978 he participated in the British thriller “Absolution” made by Richard Burton.
In the ’80s he could see it in numerous productions of varied success such as “Crazy tropical spree“(1985), with Michael Caine; “Return of the Musketeers“(1989), with Michael York, Oliver reed Y Kim cattrall Y “The great man“(1990), starring Liam Neeson.
Billy He has released numerous albums and videos of his concerts and performances. He has expanded his repertoire in acting, and more recently has participated in numerous dramas and television films in the United States.
In the ’90s he made two documentaries for the BBC, on Scotland and Australia respectively; and its famous World Tour programs, such as “Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Australia”, “Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Ireland, Wales and England” Y “Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland “, a six-part series documenting his travels through his beloved homeland.
He also intervened in “The Bigger Picture”, a series about Scottish art. In theater, Connolly was involved in the BBC’s production of “Androcles and the lion“, in the Scottish Opera productions of”The bat”, and in his own play, “The Red Runner”, which was sold to full houses during the time it was performed at the Edinburgh Festival.
In 1993 he participated in the acclaimed drama “An indecent proposition“protgonized by Robert Redford, Demi moore Y Woody harrelson, among others; it was also the voice of Ben in the animated Disney movie “Pocahontas“(1995), where Mel Gibson lent his voice to the protagonist, John smith.
Two years later, he would perform a brilliant dramatic portrayal of the servant John brown, in the nominee for two awards Oscar “His Majesty, Mrs. Brown“, next to Judi Dench as the Queen Victoria.
Back to comedy, in 1999 he took part in the film directed by Stanley tucci and starring the same Tucci Y Oliver Platt, “The Impostors“The following year, he co-starred with Sharon stone The romantic “Beautiful joe“and in 2002, together with Alison lohman, Michelle pfeiffer, Robin Wright Penn Y Renée zellweger, participated in “The evil flower“.
In 2003 it was Zebulon Gant, in the nominee for four awards Oscar and starring Tom cruise, “The last Samurai”; the following year was the Uncle Monty in the fantasy movie “A series of catastrophic misfortunes by Lemony Snicket“, starring Jim Carrey.
Most recently, I am in “Garfield 2“(2006) and in the horror comedy”Fido“(2006), being the expected one”X-Files – Believing is the key“(2008), recently released, his last performance and where he plays the Father Joseph Crissman, next to David duchovny Y Gillian Anderson.
In his personal life, Billy married in 1969 with Iris Pressagh, with whom he had 2 children, Jamie Y Expensive. He divorced in 1985, remarrying the actress in 1989 Pamela stephenson, with whom he has had 3 girls; Daisy, Amy Y Scarlett.
In July 2001, Connolly was appointed Doctor Honoris Causa by University of Glasgow.