Cara Connolly: Everything About Billy Connolly’s Daughter

Cara Connolly is the daughter of Scottish actor, retired comedian, artist, writer, musician, and television presenter Sir William Connolly also known as Billy Connolly, or by the Scots nickname The Big Yin (“the Big One”). Cara’s father Billy Connolly has won the hearts of many through his contribution to the entertainment industry and has topped many UK polls as the greatest stand-up comedian of all time but he announced his retirement from comedy in 2018. He is a recipient of awards including the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Cara Connolly: Bio Summary

How Old Is Cara Connolly?

Cara Connolly was born in the year 1973. After she celebrates her birthday in 2023, she will be 50 years of age. She is the daughter of Billy Connolly and his ex-wife Iris Pressagh. Her father is an actor, retired comedian, artist, writer, musician, and television presenter while her mother was an Interior designer. She has a brother called Jamie Connolly. She and Jamie are the only children of Billy and Iris.

Other than her elder brother Jamie, Cara Connolly has three half-siblings from her father’s marriage to Pamela Stephenson. Her three half-siblings are Scarlett Connolly, Daisy Connolly, and Amy Connolly. Her stepmother Pamela is a New Zealand–born psychologist, writer, actress, and comedian. Cara’s parents, Billy Connolly and Iris Pressagh got divorced and her stepmother Pamela and father Billy won custody of Cara and Jamie.

Per the mirror, Pamela and Billy were able to win custody of Cara and Jamie because, Cara’s mother Iris Pressagh was “unable to care for herself, let alone children.” However, speaking to the Guardian, Billy said he still cares about all ‘my children [he has four girls and a boy], and worry about my girls and always make sure they are on the right lines. When we’re crossing the road, I go, “Righto, here we go!” as if they’re six years of age.’

ALSO READ: Jamie Connolly: Facts About Billy Connolly’s Son

Billy revealed that ‘It’s very difficult bringing up the girls without spoiling them because you sound like an old bore when you start saying: “Oh, I had to finish every brussels sprout on the plate when I was a boy.” It’s true though, I used to go to the movies and put my sprouts in my pocket and pretend I had eaten them.‘

‘I’ve stayed away from that kind of behaviour towards them, but obviously we have lived well on my earnings and I try my best to show them the value of things. But you can’t be too strict with them, because you just sound like a whinge-bag. Anyway, spoiling them is buying them things in place of love, and they’ve never been in that position’, he added.

Billy also said that: ‘My children and I are pals and allies, they’re lovely. We all get on great. But I never carry photographs of my wife and kids because they make me sad. I’m not one of those guys who gets to the hotel room and puts the framed pictures up. I really can’t do it. Photos make you miss them more.’

What Work Does Cara Connolly Do?

Billy Connolly’s daughter, Cara Connolly is a film director. Her father Billy told The Guardian that ‘Cara is making documentary films’. Looking at Cara’s IMDb profile, she has worked in the movie industry as an additional crew, director, and writer. Working as an additional crew, she served as a location assistant for the TV Series, Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail (2019).

ALSO READ: Iris Pressagh- What happened to Billy Connolly’s ex-wife?

As a director, Cara Connolly was the co-director of Exchange and Mart (2014) and she was also the director of There Is a Volcano Behind My House (2021). She worked as a writer for Exchange and Mart. According to screendaily, Bristol’s short film and animation festival Encounters (Sept 16-21) showcase 207 works from 30 countries across its competitive strands and the festival’s Thicker Than Water program features Cara Connolly’s Sundance selected film, Exchange and Mart, with a cast including Scottish actor Ewen Bremner.

Who Is Cara Connolly’s Partner?

Cara Connolly has kept her love life in the dark but her partner is said to be club DJ Jonnie Wilkes, her partner of seven years. The duo have kept their businesses to themselves so much is unknown about their union. They are the parents of Walter and Barbara. In 2001, Cara gave birth to Walter. At the time they were to welcome their first child, Cara’s father Billy Connolly’s spokesman said:

Also Read: Pamela Stephenson: Who Is Billy Connolly’s Wife?

‘Billy is delighted his eldest daughter Cara and her partner, Jonnie, are expecting a child in March.’ A friend added: “His children are very close to him and he’s delighted his first grandchild is going to be born in Scotland.” Cara has kept information about her family from the public domain.