LICENCE TO STAY STILL
Billy’s top acting tip from Sean.. Don’t fart about
BILLY Connolly has revealed fellow Scot Sean Connery gave him acting tips when he landed roles in movies.
The comedian said he was intimidated at first when he had to star alongside some of the country’s greatest actors.
However, he got over his fear after leaning on the former James Bond star for advice.
The Big Yin, 77, said Sean’s help led to his acclaimed performance in Mrs Brown with Dame Judi Dench.
He considers his role as John Brown in the 1997 film about Queen Victoria’s close bond with her Highland ghillie to be his finest hour.
He said: “My favourite was Mrs Brown with Judi Dench. It was lovely.
“I have acted with some of the greatest English actresses like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. My acting life has been brilliant.
“On the first day of rehearsals I felt intimidated. They are such professionals but they are such nice people. They make you a better actor. You have to act in response to what you’ve been given and it makes you better. They just drag you into it.
“You have to stand still, don’t fiddle about and fart about. Less is more. Sean Connery told me that. He said, ‘Do nothing’.
“He said, ‘I loved you in Mrs Brown, you stood there and did nothing’. When I was standing with my horse, I wouldn’t move.”
Speaking on the Adam Buxton podcast, Billy also said he loves Sean, 89, “because he calls me ‘boy’.
“He phones from time to time when he’s coming to New York and says, ‘We must go for dinner, OK, see you later boy’.”