The comedy king might have been battling Parkinson's disease for the last decade, but he still hasn't lost his sense of humour as he refuses to let his condition 'dictate who he is'.
He still reckons that laughter is the best medicine in life, seeing him joke that his countless appearances on the late Michael Parkinson's chat shows over the years might have contributed to his health struggles.
Speaking of what was running through his mind when medics informed him that he had the progressive disorder, Connolly joked: "I just thought, 'I have got Parkinson's. I wish he [Michael] had kept it to himself!'"
The funnyman explained he has found it 'easy' to poke fun at himself since he received the devastating news in 2013 - as the way it all went down sounds like something straight out of a comedy sketch.
The 81-year-old explained it was quite the 'funny week', which began with him tending to minor ailments before it ended up snowballing drastically.
Speaking recently to the Mirror, Connolly explained: "On the Monday, I had hearing aids. On the Tuesday I got pills for heart burn, which I have to take all the time, and on the Wednesday I got news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinson's.
"The doctors told me on the phone, ‘Look we have had the results and it is cancer’.
"I said ‘Oh, nobody has ever said that to be me before’."
So yeah, a bad week would be a generous way to describe what he went through in 2013.
The Scotsman explained that his wife of 35 years, Pamela Stephenson, was standing behind him at the time and immediately 'gave him a cuddle'.
Sir Billy Connolly said his wife Pamela has been by his side since his diagnosis in 2013 (Luiz Rampelotto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)"I was not unduly worried," Connolly added.
He went on to get the all clear following his cancer diagnosis, however, his Parkinson's continued to progress.
Connolly, from Glasgow, previously told how the brain disorder - which can cause unintended or uncontrollable movements, including shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination - was taking it's toll on him.
In November last year, he revealed that 'it gets stranger and more different' with each passing day, but said he has been able to find some solace from his struggles in drawing, painting and sculpturing.
Discussing what keeps him going and how he has adapted his mindset since, Sir Billy said: "You just confront it and make decisions based on it.
"You just have to think, 'Don't think you are being badly treated [in life] or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions'. Just behave yourself and relax."
The comedian, 81, also opened up about his thoughts on death (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)And seen as though this is a bloke who's already weighed up what amusing message he is having on his headstone, Connolly has obviously thought about his mortality a lot.
But he's made peace with whatever is waiting on the other side in the last few years.
"You then realise it [death] is not the big thing everyone has made it out to be," the Indecent Proposal actor continued.
"It is nothing. It is just a sudden nothing."
Next Monday, the comedian will open up about his life in the new BBC series, In My Own Words.
Connolly will be the first celebrity guest to star in the new show and is set to discuss his 'hellish' childhood, his rise to fame and his friendship with the late and great Robin Williams.
He will also touch on his battle with boozing and his regrets about parenthood in the programme which airs on 2 September at 10.40pm on BBC One.Featured Image Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage/Tristan Fewings/Getty Images
Published 16:40 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1
The Crow actor who accidentally shot Brandon Lee admitted he never got over tragic death
The tragedy which took place on the set of The Crow continued to haunt Michael Massee throughout the rest of his life
The actor who accidentally fired the fatal shot on a film set which killed Brandon Lee admitted that he 'never got over' the 1993 tragedy.
Michael Massee spoke out about the 'very slow and thoughtful process' the death of his The Crow co-star took him on in a poignant interview in 2005.
The Missouri-born actor - who passed away in October 2016 after a stomach cancer diagnosis- was starring in Alex Proyas' gothic superhero film alongside the son of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee when horror struck.
In a chilling case of life imitating art, Lee was filming a scene where his character was supposed to be shot and killed when he suffered the deadly wound due to an improperly prepared prop gun which Massee fired.
Lee, who was just 28 at the time of his death, had eerily told his pal Brad Pitt that he 'was going to die young like his dad' just a year before the incident, which went on to haunt Massee throughout the rest of his life.
On that fateful day in March 1993, shortly before production on the movie was due to wrap up, the martial arts star was filming a scene which depicted his death in The Crow - which has since been controversially remade.
Lee was supposed to walk through a doorway carrying a bag of groceries, before Massee would then fire blanks at him from a distance of 15ft away.
The actor was then asked to flip a switch fitted to the bag which would activate 'squibs', which are essentially small fireworks that then simulate bloody bullet wounds - however, it ended up being his own blood which was spilled.
Brandon Lee starred in The Crow as Eric Draven (Miramax Films)The gun used in the scene was a real revolver which had been loaded with dummy rounds made from converted live ammunition, and the special effects crew had removed the powder from the bullet.
But the weapon was not properly checked and cleared before cameras started rolling, which proved to be a deadly mistake - as a bullet fragment lodged in the gun barrel from a previous cut of the scene was still inside.
So when Massee pulled the trigger, it fired the bullet out of the weapon with almost as much forced as it would have if it was loaded with a live round.
Lee was struck in the abdomen and fell backwards instead of forwards, as he was supposed to in the scene, and did not get up when the director yelled 'cut' - but the crew initially thought he was joking or possibly still acting.
Despite being rushed to hospital and undergoing six hours of emergency surgery, Lee could not be saved.
His death was ruled as an accident due to negligence, while his mother, Linda Lee Cadwell, filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers which was later settled under undisclosed terms.
Massee, meanwhile, was left traumatised by playing a part in the death of his co-star.
Michael Massee in The Crow (Miramax Films)He took a year off from acting and couldn't bring himself to watch The Crow upon its release in May 1994 - but the grief continued to follow him throughout his life.
The actor sat down for a rare interview in 2005, 12 years after the incident, where he opened up about the lasting effects that Lee's death had on him - while admitting he was plagued by 'nightmares' of that ill-fated day on set, adding that he didn't think 'you ever get over something like that'.
Speaking to Extra TV, the late 64-year-old explained that he had become 'very conscious of the dangers of making a movie' as well as 'the possibilities of things going awry on a set' after Lee's death.
Massee said: "I've never talked about this on camera. What happened to Brandon was a tragic accident and it's something that I'm going to live with. It's taken me the time it has took - not so much to put it in perspective, but to be able to move on with my life.
"I never felt the need or the obligation to talk to anybody about it, other than his fiancée at the time and his mother, who I called. It's very personal and it's something that I want to make sure when I work, that it's that it's never repeated."
The Seven star continued: "It's not that I've been avoiding talking about it, it's just it doesn't seem to me to be relevant or to do with anybody else except the people that were involved.
Play
"And to me, for my journey through life, how I was able to get to the other side of it," he explained. "It was a very slow and thoughtful process. I took a year off and I went back to New York and didn't do anything. I didn't work."
Massee explained that he'd sought solace from close friends and family 'to get through it'.
The Lost Highway star added that Lee's death 'absolutely wasn't supposed to happen', adding: "I wasn't even supposed to be handling the gun in the scene until we started shooting the scene and the director changed it.
"It wasn't supposed to happen for a myriad of reasons - he was so far off it that had it been a real gun, we wouldn't have been able to hit the side of a barn with it.
"The bottom line is, it did happen."Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Miramax Films
Published 10:24 13 Jun 2024 GMT+1
Avicii's close friend revealed heartbreaking new details about DJ before his death in upcoming documentary
Jesse Waits recalled the moment he realised Avicii was dependent on painkillers in a new documentary
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and painkiller addiction which some readers may find distressing
A close friend of Avicii has revealed heartbreaking new details about the late Swedish DJ in an upcoming documentary.
Avicii - real name Tim Bergling - had long been struggling with the pressures of fame and touring throughout his career as well as various mental health issues. He would go on to sadly take his life, aged just 28, in April 2018 in Muscat, Oman.
Bergling's life and career is once again the spotlight after new documentary Avicii: I'm Tim had its first screening at the Tribeca Film Festival on Sunday (9 June).
A new documentary will examine Avicii's personal life (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)The documentary features exclusive interviews with Bergling's friends and family, as well as never-before-heard clips from interviews with the Swedish hitmaker - who was known for his tracks 'Wake Me Up' and 'Levels'.
One of the people interviewed is Jesse Waits, who became close with Bergling due to his work in the Las Vegas nightlife scene.
Speaking about the impact painkillers had on Bergling, Waits said the habit ended up creating 'more anxiety' for the DJ.
"I realised he was taking painkillers," Waits said.
"I grew up with a family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change. The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
"His eyes were wide open like a zombie—he was not there."
Avicii and Jesse Waits. (Instagram/@jessecwaits)Describing Avicii as 'like a brother' to him, Waits added: "At the dinner, his demeanour changed and his eyes dilated. That changes everything. Those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s**t and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him, it was to suppress his anxiety, but it just created more anxiety."
Avicii: I'm Tim has been written and directed by Henrik Burman and features interviews from the likes of Chris Martin, Nile Rodgers and David Guetta.
Waits wasn't the only person close to Avicii to share his concerns in the documentary, with frequent collaborator Aloe Blacc revealing he wished he'd noticed the 'cry for help' in Bergling's music.
(Richard Ecclestone/Redferns / Rich Polk/Getty Images for Rolling Stone)Recalling his reaction to reading the lyrics to the song 'SOS' - which he recorded vocals for after Bergling's passing - calling the words a 'cry for help'.
"It felt like… all of us really wanted to have this message way before, so that we could have been there to support him," Blacc told Good Morning America in 2019.
"He had written in his notes that he wanted me to sing this song, but he never communicated that to me. He communicated other things via emails and text messages."
A wider release for the Avicii: I'm Tim is yet to be confirmed.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.Featured
Updated 12:37 2 Apr 2024 GMT+1Published 12:22 2 Apr 2024 GMT+1
Gogglebox's Linda makes heartbreaking first statement after son George's tragic death
George tragically passed away last week
George Gilbey's mum, Linda McGarry, has released a heartbreaking statement following her son's death.
George tragically passed away last week at the age of 40.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Police have since stated that the beloved TV personality died on 27 March following a suspected accidental fall from a height in Shoebury, Essex.
Ambulances and air ambulances rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, Gilbey did not survive the severity of his injuries.
An Essex Police statement read: "We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning, during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.
"The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.
"We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene."
Police have since stated that the beloved TV personality died on 27 March following a suspected accidental fall from a height in Shoebury, Essex.
Ambulances and air ambulances rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, Gilbey did not survive the severity of his injuries.
An Essex Police statement read: "We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning, during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.
"The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.
"We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene."
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for St Joseph's Hospice and Haven House Children's Hospice
Following his death, Linda, 74, has paid tribute to her son.
“I’m devastated, he was like my best friend," she told the Clacton and Frinton Gazette. “He had the best heart in the world. He was generous, funny and kind, with bundles of charm and buckets of personality.
"He did more in his 40 years than people do in 90 – he’s even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai. He was crazy, but after coming out of showbiz, he couldn’t get his life back together. He just couldn’t get over the death of Pete."
George's stepdad Pete sadly passed away in 2021 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Meanwhile, Linda also revealed she had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Following his death, Linda, 74, has paid tribute to her son.
“I’m devastated, he was like my best friend," she told the Clacton and Frinton Gazette. “He had the best heart in the world. He was generous, funny and kind, with bundles of charm and buckets of personality.
"He did more in his 40 years than people do in 90 – he’s even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai. He was crazy, but after coming out of showbiz, he couldn’t get his life back together. He just couldn’t get over the death of Pete."
George's stepdad Pete sadly passed away in 2021 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Meanwhile, Linda also revealed she had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
George was dad to Amelie, now seven, who he shared with Gemma Conway.
Linda described Amelie as his "absolute world" and said he "lived for that little girl and his mum".
She added: “George was a real contradiction he was so funny and so intelligent. A lot of people don’t know how intelligent George was.
"He was smart, which allowed him to be quick-witted and he was loud and outgoing, but at the same time very sensitive. He helped others, but he struggled himself."
The Essex-born TV personality appeared on Gogglebox alongside his mother, Linda and his stepdad, Pete from 2013-2014.
Gilbey was also known for his role in the 14th season of Celebrity Big Brother, where he reached the final.
A spokesperson for Gogglebox said on X: "George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George's family and friends at this very sad time.
"The family have asked for privacy."Featured Image Credit: Channel 4/Instagram/@georgegilbey
Updated 10:52 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 10:02 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1
Heartbreaking new details have emerged about Avicii’s last days before he died aged 28
Avicii died aged 28 in April 2018
New details have emerged around Avicii's final days before his death aged 28 in 2018.
The Swedish music artist - real name Tim Bergling - was known for hits such as 'Wake Me Up' and 'Waiting for Love'.
His breakthrough 2011 track 'Levels' even ended up making it into several countries' charts at the same time.
He also collaborated with several big name celebrities such as Flo Rida, David Guetta and Rita Ora as he made his way to becoming one of the most recognised names in the music world.
And now, a new documentary was recently released on the DJ's life, titled Avicii: I'm Tim, which premiered on Sunday (9 June), over six years on from the artist's tragic death in 2018.
George was dad to Amelie, now seven, who he shared with Gemma Conway.
Linda described Amelie as his "absolute world" and said he "lived for that little girl and his mum".
She added: “George was a real contradiction he was so funny and so intelligent. A lot of people don’t know how intelligent George was.
"He was smart, which allowed him to be quick-witted and he was loud and outgoing, but at the same time very sensitive. He helped others, but he struggled himself."
The Essex-born TV personality appeared on Gogglebox alongside his mother, Linda and his stepdad, Pete from 2013-2014.
Gilbey was also known for his role in the 14th season of Celebrity Big Brother, where he reached the final.
A spokesperson for Gogglebox said on X: "George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George's family and friends at this very sad time.
"The family have asked for privacy."Featured Image Credit: Channel 4/Instagram/@georgegilbey
Updated 10:52 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 10:02 11 Jun 2024 GMT+1
Heartbreaking new details have emerged about Avicii’s last days before he died aged 28
Avicii died aged 28 in April 2018
New details have emerged around Avicii's final days before his death aged 28 in 2018.
The Swedish music artist - real name Tim Bergling - was known for hits such as 'Wake Me Up' and 'Waiting for Love'.
His breakthrough 2011 track 'Levels' even ended up making it into several countries' charts at the same time.
He also collaborated with several big name celebrities such as Flo Rida, David Guetta and Rita Ora as he made his way to becoming one of the most recognised names in the music world.
And now, a new documentary was recently released on the DJ's life, titled Avicii: I'm Tim, which premiered on Sunday (9 June), over six years on from the artist's tragic death in 2018.
Avicii rose to prominence in 2011. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
It was released at the Tribeca Film Festival, with a wider release yet to be announced.
The film features the artist himself, giving a narration taken from an interview given late on in his career, as well as 'never-before-seen tour footage and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process'.
In addition, interviews with his family, friends and peers within the music industry such as Chris Martin and Nile Rodgers among others, as per The Daily Mail.
According to the film's synopsis, the documentary 'honors his brilliant and peaceful nature, highlighting the impact of his innovative music that blended genres and pushed boundaries'.
In the film, Avicii admits that he suffered from crippling anxiety, and even admitted that he was 'killing' himself with his non-stop touring.
Jesse Waits, the managing partner of a Las Vegas nightclub that was close to the artist, told the filmmakers: "I realized he was taking painkillers. I grew up with family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change.
"The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
His friend recalled the artist looking like a 'zombie' (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
"His eyes were wide open like a zombie, he was not there. At the dinner, his demeanor changed and his eyes dilated.
"That changed everything, those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s*** and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him it was to suppress his anxiety but it just created more anxiety."
This isn't the first film on Avicii's life and legacy - with Avicii: True Stories making it's debut in 2017.
A book called Tim - The Official Biography Of Avicii was also released in 2021.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
It was released at the Tribeca Film Festival, with a wider release yet to be announced.
The film features the artist himself, giving a narration taken from an interview given late on in his career, as well as 'never-before-seen tour footage and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process'.
In addition, interviews with his family, friends and peers within the music industry such as Chris Martin and Nile Rodgers among others, as per The Daily Mail.
According to the film's synopsis, the documentary 'honors his brilliant and peaceful nature, highlighting the impact of his innovative music that blended genres and pushed boundaries'.
In the film, Avicii admits that he suffered from crippling anxiety, and even admitted that he was 'killing' himself with his non-stop touring.
Jesse Waits, the managing partner of a Las Vegas nightclub that was close to the artist, told the filmmakers: "I realized he was taking painkillers. I grew up with family that did drugs and I saw when people do opiates their eyes change.
"The pin, the little black parts of their eyes.
His friend recalled the artist looking like a 'zombie' (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)"His eyes were wide open like a zombie, he was not there. At the dinner, his demeanor changed and his eyes dilated.
"That changed everything, those pills change how you act and how you feel. You wake up feeling like s*** and have to have another one to feel good.
"For him it was to suppress his anxiety but it just created more anxiety."
This isn't the first film on Avicii's life and legacy - with Avicii: True Stories making it's debut in 2017.
A book called Tim - The Official Biography Of Avicii was also released in 2021.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
