AceShowbiz -

Actor/comedian Billy Connolly opened up about his health struggles. The Scottish star "recently underwent minor surgery in America after being diagnosed with the very early stages of prostate cancer." His rep said, "The operation was a total success and Billy is fully recovered."

Aside from battling cancer, the 70-year-old actor also "has been assessed as having the initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease," an incurable degenerative illness that causes tremors, forgetfulness and slow movements. "He is receiving the appropriate treatment," the representative assured.

His rep said his health condition would not delay any of his work commitments. "Billy has been assured by experts that the findings will in no way inhibit or affect his ability to work, and he will start filming a TV series in the near future, as well as undertaking an extensive theatrical tour of New Zealand in the new year," the rep explained.

Last year, Connolly voiced King Fergus in Pixar's critically-acclaimed "Brave" and played retired opera singer in Dustin Hoffman's positively-reviewed directorial debut "Quartet". He will next be seen on the big screen portraying Dain II Ironfoot in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again".

During a gig last April in Belfast, Connolly admitted to struggling to remember his lines. "This is f****** terrifying. I feel like I'm going out of my mind," he told the crowd. "This is f****** awful. I can't remember what I was saying. I get wee gaps and just stop." His wife, comedienne and writer Pamela Stephenson, once blamed his memory problem on his excessive drinking in the past.