Billy Connolly - Actor Profile

Billy Connolly

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 24, 1942
Birth Place: Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

About Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly (born November 24, 1942) is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin (The Big One). His first trade, in the early 1960s, was as a welder (specifically a boilermaker) in the Glasgow shipyards, but he gave it up towards the end of the decade to pursue a career as a folk singer in the Humblebums and subsequently as a soloist. In the early 1970s he made the transition from folk-singer with a comedic persona to fully-fledged comedian, a role in which he continues. He also became an actor, and has appeared in such films as Indecent Proposal (1993); Mrs. Brown (1997), for which he was nominated for a BAFTA; The Boondock Saints (1999); The Man Who Sued God (2001); Water (1985);The Last Samurai (2003); Timeline (2003); Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004); Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006); and The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008). Connolly reprised his role as Noah "Il Duce" MacManus in Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. Connolly appears as the King of Lilliput in the 2010 remake of Gulliver′s Travels.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Billy Connolly reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Billy Connolly's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Billy Connolly remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Billy Connolly: In His Own Words, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Billy Connolly Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Billy Connolly's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Billy Connolly.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2021 Billy Connolly: In His Own Words Self Super Hit Similar →
2021 Parkinson at 50 Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2020 Billy Connolly: It’s Been a Pleasure... Self Hit Similar →
2020 Scotland: Contains Strong Language Himself (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2016 Judi Dench: All the World's Her Stage Self Super Hit Similar →
2016 Billy Connolly: High Horse Tour Live Himself Super Hit Similar →
2014 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Dain Ironfoot Hit Similar →
2014 What We Did on Our Holiday Gordie McLeod Hit Similar →
2012 Quartet Wilf Bond Hit Similar →
2012 What About Dick? Inspector McGuffin Super Hit Similar →
2012 Brave Fergus (voice) Hit Similar →
2011 Billy Connolly: You Asked for It Himself Super Hit Similar →
2011 The Ballad of Nessie Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
2007 Billy Connolly: Was It Something I Said? Himself Hit Similar →
2007 Top Gear of the Pops Self (Comic Relief VT) Hit Similar →
2005 Billy Connolly: Live in New York Billy Connolly Hit Similar →
2005 Ivor Cutler: Looking For Truth With a Pin Self Hit Similar →
2004 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Dr. Montgomery Montgomery Hit Similar →
2003 The Last Samurai Zebulon Gant Super Hit Similar →
2002 White Oleander Barry Kolker Hit Similar →
2002 Billy Connolly: Live in Dublin 2002 Billy Connolly Super Hit Similar →
2001 Prince Charming Hamish Hit Similar →
1999 The Boondock Saints Il Duce Hit Similar →
1999 Billy Connolly: Erect for 30 Years Billy Connolly Hit Similar →
1998 Still Crazy Hughie Hit Similar →
1997 Retying the Knot: The Incredible String Band - Hit Similar →
1997 Mrs Brown John Brown Hit Similar →
1997 Billy Connolly: Two Night Stand Himself Super Hit Similar →
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Billy Bones Hit Similar →
1995 Billy Connolly: A Scot in the Arctic Himself Hit Similar →
1995 Pocahontas Ben (voice) Hit Similar →
1995 In the Best Possible Taste: A Tribute to Kenny Everett Sketch Performer (Archive Footage) Hit Similar →
1995 Two Bites of Billy Connolly Himself Hit Similar →
1994 Billy Connolly: Live at the Apollo Himself Super Hit Similar →
1994 Billy Connolly's World Tour of Scotland Self Super Hit Similar →
1993 Down Among the Big Boys JoJo Donnelly Hit Similar →
1992 Acoustic Routes Self Hit Similar →
1991 Billy Connolly - Live at the Odeon Hammersmith London Himself Super Hit Similar →
1989 Whoopi Goldberg Presents: Billy Connolly Himself Hit Similar →
1987 Billy Connolly: Billy and Albert (Live at the Royal Albert Hall) Billy Connolly Super Hit Similar →
1987 The Hunting of the Snark The Bellman Super Hit Similar →
1985 An Audience with Billy Connolly Self Super Hit Similar →
1985 Live Aid Self Super Hit Similar →
1982 Billy Connolly: The Pick of Billy Connolly Billy Connolly Hit Similar →
1981 Billy Connolly: Billy Bites Yer Bum Billy Connolly Super Hit Similar →
1980 A Cup O' Tea An' A Slice O' Cake - Worzel Gummidge Christmas Special Bogle McNeep Super Hit Similar →
1977 Billy Connolly: Big Banana Feet Self Hit Similar →
1976 The Elephants' Graveyard Jody Hit Similar →
1975 Just Another Saturday Paddy Super Hit Similar →
1974 Clydescope Jefferson Jofferson Hit Similar →

Billy Connolly - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Billy Connolly?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Billy Connolly is "Billy Connolly: In His Own Words" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Billy Connolly acted in?

Billy Connolly has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Billy Connolly?

Other notable films include "Parkinson at 50", "A Cup O' Tea An' A Slice O' Cake - Worzel Gummidge Christmas Special", and "Scotland: Contains Strong Language".