Connolly breaks magic pay barrier

Billy Connolly has joined the list of Hollywood actors making $1million a movie with his latest screen deal.

That will be the comic's pay for his role as Uncle Monty in the screen version of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

He will star opposite Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep and Jude Law in the film, based on a series of children's books.

Fewer than 20 British actors are capable of earning more than $1 million a film, but 61-year-old Connolly's star is on the rise in Hollywood, thanks to his role alongside Tom Cruise in the blockbuster The Last Samurai.

A friend of Connolly told Scotland On Sunday: "He joked, 'What does $1m buy you these days anyway?'

"He has a healthy respect for money but he has already got his trout stream, his kids and his pension sorted out."

Published: 14 Dec 2003