In The Brownies

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Connolly's paternal grandfather, whom—like his paternal grandmother—Connolly never met, was an Irish immigrant who left Ireland when he was ten years old. [62] [63] [14] His great-great-great-grandfather (Charles Mills, a coast guard, 1796–1870) [64] and great-great-grandfather (Bartholomew Valentine Connolly) were from Connemara. [62]

Connolly was born on 24 November 1942 at 69 Dover Street, [12] "on the linoleum, three floors up", [12] [13] in Anderston, Glasgow. This section of Dover Street, between Breadalbane and Claremont streets, was demolished in the 1970s. [12] Connolly refers to this in his 1983 song "I Wish I Was in Glasgow" with the lines "I would take you there and show you but they've pulled the building down" and "they bulldozed it all to make a road". The flat had only two rooms: a kitchen-living room, with a recess where the children slept, and another room for their parents. The family bathed in the kitchen sink, and there was no hot water. [14]

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Billy Connolly – Who Do You Think You Are – A tale of far distant exploits of the ancestors of one of Britain's best loved comedians..." The Genealogist . Retrieved 2 November 2019. He questioned the expense of independence, and whether average Scots would benefit from another level of government, though he added "Scots are very capable of making up their mind without my tuppence worth." [70] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDFed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p.65. a b c d Connolly, Pamela Stephenson (30 September 2023). "Billy Connolly's most intimate interview yet (by his wife): 'Comedians never used to worry about what was correct to say. You said it, and soon found out". The Guardian . Retrieved 30 September 2023. On 4 July 2006, Connolly was awarded an honorary doctorate by Glasgow's Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) for his service to performing arts [5].

Billy Connolly also performed a sketch broadcast on TV, when talking about national anthems, and comparing the UK's slow tune to the lively ones of many other nations, Billy suggested that it should be replaced by the theme tune to The Archers. a b Adams, Tim (23 September 2001). "Billy Connolly: The interview – Connolly on the couch". The Observer . Retrieved 29 December 2018. a b c d e f g h i j k l Ferguson, Brian (27 September 2017). "Billy Connolly inducted into Scottish music 'hall of fame' ". The Observer. Edinburgh, UK . Retrieved 26 April 2010. In 1972, Connolly made his theatrical debut, at the Cottage Theatre in Cumbernauld, with a revue called Connolly's Glasgow Flourish. [7] He played the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with poet Tom Buchan, with whom he had written The Great Northern Welly Boot Show, and in costumes designed by the artist and writer John Byrne, who also designed the covers of the Humblebums' records. [7] The South Bank Show episode guide". TV.com. 4 October 1992. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008 . Retrieved 1 September 2011.In November 2019, The Glasgow Times named Connolly as The Greatest Glaswegian as determined by a public poll. [103] In 2013, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and had surgery for prostate cancer. [3] In January 2019, Connolly said he was "nearing the end of his life" as his Parkinson's advanced. [4] Career [ change | change source ] In 2000, Connolly starred in Beautiful Joe alongside Sharon Stone. The following year, he completed the third in his "World Tour" BBC series, this time of England, Ireland and Wales, which began in Dublin and ended in Plymouth. It was broadcast the following year. Also in 2001, Stephenson's first biography of her husband, Billy, was published. Much of the book is about Connolly the celebrity but the account of his early years provides a context for his humour and point of view. A follow-up, Bravemouth, was published in 2003. As of 2021, he and his wife live in Florida. He published an autobiography, Windswept and Interesting, in October 2021. [48] On 22 July 2010, Connolly was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Nottingham Trent University. [95]

Connolly's style has changed over the years to be less controversial and more observational. Including topics such as himself aging, stories about where he has been and other aspects of his life. He also exclaims "Oh, I must tell you!" and vocalises whatever thought occurs to him. Another feature is his ability to break off onto a tangent mid-topic and return to it later -- sometimes as long as an hour later. Billy Connolly to receive Special Recognition Award at National Television Awards". The Daily Telegraph. 8 January 2016. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022 . Retrieved 20 January 2016. a b c d Stephenson, Pamela (7 October 2001). "Billy Connolly: The Glory Years". The Guardian . Retrieved 21 August 2017.

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Sir William "Billy" Connolly CBE (born 24 November 1942) is a Scottish actor, comedian and musician. Sometimes, he is known as The Big Yin ( The Big One in Scottish). [1] Early and personal life [ change | change source ] Connolly was a year too young to work in the shipyards. Instead, he started working for John Smith's Bookshop, on St Vincent Street, delivering books on his bicycle. He became a delivery-van driver with Bilslands' Bakery until he was sixteen, when he was deemed overqualified (due to his J1 and J2 certificates) to become an engineer. [23] Instead, he worked as a boilermaker [24] at Alexander Stephen and Sons shipyard in Linthouse. [23] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p.320. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. a b c d e f g h Bragg, Melvin (host) (4 October 1992). "Billy Connolly". The South Bank Show. Season 16. Episode 1. LWT.