As an advocate for the exceptional things Sir Billy Connolly has done in his life, it would be unfair to forget his glittering film career.
Starring in many films across his comedic and entertaining career, the Glaswegian legend celebrates his 80th birthday today (November 24). He has starred in many big-screen productions, so we thought it was only fair to some of the must-watch films that the icon has starred in.
So without further ado, here are seven of the best films Billy Connolly has starred in, and who he played in all these movies.
READ MORE - Billy Connolly's star-studded career as we celebrate the Big Yin's 80th birthday
Mrs Brown - 1997
Mrs Brown, also theatrically released as Her Majesty, Mrs Brown, is a 1997 British drama film starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher and Gerard Butler. It was written by Jeremy Brock and directed by John Madden.
Billy played John Brown, Queen Victoria's Scottish servant who started up a secret relationship with the monarch. The film was released to unexpected success, going on to earn over $13 million worldwide.
The Last Samurai - 2003
The Last Samurai stars Tom Cruise as Nathan Algren, an alcoholic US Army Captain traumatized by the brutality of the American Indian Wars, is hired to train the newly created Imperial Japanese Army in modern warfare.
His first assignment is to crush a rebellion by traditionalist Samurai warriors who refuse to use firearms, but he is quickly impressed by the Bushido tradition. Billy played Sergeant Zebulon Gant, an Irish American Civil War veteran who served with and is loyal to Algren, persuading him to come to Japan and working with him to train the Imperial Army.
What We Did on Our Holiday - 2012
Fellow Scot David Tennant stars as Doug in What We Did on Our Holiday, as part of a family going through marital issues. However, they still travel together to the Scottish Highlands to attend the 75th birthday of Doug's father. Although Doug and his wife try to put on a happy face, their children end up revealing everything.
Billy played the father of Doug, Gordie McLeod. This was one of the last feature films Billy starred in before retiring from live performance due to his Parkinson's disease.
Quartet - 2012
Quartet is a comedy drama film which takes us to Beecham House, a retirement home for former professional musicians. All the residents living in the home are suffering from multiple ailments that come with old age, but despite this, they continue their involvement with the world of music.
Their lives turn upside down when they come to know that due to financial problems, the home may be closed down. Billy played Wilf, a retired opera singer alongside Dame Maggie Smith and Tom Courtenay.
The Boondock Saints - 1999
After killing Russian criminals in self-defense, Irish Catholic twin brothers, Connor and Murphy McManus, turn themselves in where they receive ‘message from God.’ With friend Rocco, they become ‘vigilantes’ to rid Boston of its underworld. FBI agent Paul Smecker, assigned to track their actions, is inclined to agree that the Boondock Saints are on the right path.
Billy played the father of the Irish brothers, Noah 'II Duce' MacManus. He is released from prison by Yakavetta to confront the twins and Rocco, only to assist the twins after learning who they are.
The Man Who Sued God - 2001
The Man Who Sued God is a comedy drama film which tells the story of Steve (Billy Connolly), a lawyer, who decides to abandon his career, and live a quiet life as a fisherman. However, things don’t go as expected, as his boat is destroyed by a lightning.
His insurance company informs him that he is not going to be covered as the incident was an ‘Act of God’. Therefore, he decides to sue God, who is represented by religious leaders at the court. He is aided by Anne, a journalist, who is sympathetic towards his situation.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - 2014
This film was the second last film Billy ever shot before his retirement. Billy played Dain II Ironfoot, one of the toughest and wisest allies to the army.
The film revolves around a hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who engages in a war along with his comrades, to protect the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of darkness.
Absolution - 1978
At a Catholic boys’ school, a bright student Benjie Stanfield confesses before a strict disciplinarian Father Goddard that he unintentionally murdered his friend, Blakey (Billy Connolly).
After probing the matter, Goddard realises that it was a mere joke. However, Benjie again confesses to a murder and this time a shocked Goddard really finds a body. Moreover, another student Arthur has disappeared unexpectedly.
There are hundreds more films that Billy has starred in, and television series to boot. Happy Birthday to you Billy, we hope you have a wonderful day!
READ NEXT
The amount of food you should really eat at Christmas as new study causes upset
Glasgow chef to appear on MasterChef: The Professionals this week
Shetland announces new main character as Ashley Jensen joins BBC drama cast
Scotland's most popular baby names 2022 as top 100 list depicts favourites
National Grid blackout warning as energy shortage concerns continue
