Sir Billy Connolly Opens Up About His Parkinson’s Struggles with Humor and Honesty

Sir Billy Connolly, beloved worldwide as the “Big Yin,” has never shied away from speaking truth with wit. But in a recent reflection, the 80-year-old comedian revealed that Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2013, has been taking a greater toll on him in recent years.

Connolly officially stepped away from live stand-up in 2018, recognizing that the stage demanded an energy and steadiness the illness was gradually stripping away. Even so, he has continued to share his life and laughter with fans through documentaries, writing, and interviews.

Now, he admits some of the changes have become harder to ignore. “Recently I’ve noticed a deterioration in my balance,” he explained. “That was never such a problem before, but in the last year that has come and it has stayed. For some reason, I thought it would go away, because a lot of symptoms have come and gone away… just to defy the symptom spotters.”

The shaking, once managed, has returned. Daily tasks, such as getting out of certain chairs, have become unexpectedly difficult. His wife, psychologist Pamela Stephenson, noted that these challenges have led to “a couple of serious falls.”

But in true Connolly fashion, even painful experiences are laced with humor. Recalling one tumble, he quipped: “That fall I had when I landed on my jaw reminded me of a thing I used to do on stage. I used to say: ‘I fell out of bed, but luckily my face broke my fall…’”

It is this combination of honesty and comedy that continues to endear Connolly to audiences. While Parkinson’s has altered the rhythm of his life, it has not dimmed his spirit. Behind the tremors and balance issues, the sharp wit that once lit up arenas still flickers brightly.

Fans around the world may no longer see him on stage, but through his stories, jokes, and reflections, Connolly proves that even in the face of illness, laughter can remain the strongest medicine.