Billy Connolly, 82, in rare public appearance as comedy legend says 'I suffer from horrible illness'
Sir Billy Connolly made a rare public appearance this weekend, in an emotional moment at a Florida film festival where he was honoured with an award for artistic excellence.
The 82 year old comedian is rarely seen in public after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but left his Florida home to attend the nearby Key West Film Festival, where he was the guest of honour.
While there, Billy, who is known for films like Mrs Brown and Brave, was given an award for artistic excellence, presented to him by his long-time friends Steve Buscemi and Aidan Quinn.
READ MORE: Billy Connolly reveals pal Elton John inspired his latest venture as he reveals new work
READ MORE: Comedian Rosco McClelland wins Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award
The comedian was supporting himself with a walking stick at the festival. Dressed in blue-fitted trousers and a black blazer, he stood as Buscemi passed him the award. He explained to the crowd that he needed the stick as he has a "horrible illness".
"I walk with a stick because I suffer from a horrible illness. It’s a joy to live among you and it’s a joy to be among you tonight. I don’t often do this kind of thing but it’s smashing. I have to thank you for this award. I don’t know what it is, it’s a blue thing. It’s a joy and it will go beside my other prizes."
Steve and Billy became friends on the set of the 1998 film The Impostors. He spoke about their friendship, sharing that Billy once invited Steve to his "castle" in Scotland, that he shares with his wife, Pamela Stevenson.
He said: "One day on set Billy offhandedly mentioned, 'You know if you’re ever in Scotland, Pamela and I have a castle, you should drop by'. We always had the best time. It’s wonderful to be here to honour our friend Billy Connolly."
Though Billy is Scottish and owned a castle in Aberdeenshire before selling it on in 2014, he now lives in Florida. He was encouraged to move there by doctors, who thought living in a warmer climate would help his Parkinson's.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive and incurable neurological condition that affects the nervous system, causing symptoms like tremors, slow movement, and stiff muscles. Talking to The Mirror last year, Billy opened up about living with his illness: “You just confront it and make decisions based on it. You just have to think ‘Don’t think you are being badly treated [by life] or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions. Just behave yourself and relax.”
Steve's words about Billy were followed by Irish actor Aidan Quinn, who said that the only thing that gave his brother Paul joy during his fight against cancer was watching videos of Billy on YouTube. He said he would be "forever grateful" that Billy had been a part of that before Paul died.
Snapchat
Threads