Sean Connery (1930-2020)
Regrettably, I must inform you that Sean Connery has died. The Scottish-born actor, renowned for his iconic portrayal of James Bond, has passed away. He was 90 years old. He long regarded himself as one of the best actors to play the famous British secret agent, appearing in seven films that made him an international star in the franchise. His son, Jason, said he had been ill for some time. This illness led to his death during an overnight stay in the Bahamas. His loved ones surrounded him. Fans consider Sean the best Bond in the series.
Sean was born in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, on August 25th, 1930. He is the son of a Catholic factory worker and a Protestant home cleaner. After leaving school in poverty at age 13, Connery took several odd jobs, including a coffin polisher, milkman, and lifeguard, before enlisting in the Royal Navy. Three years later, his stomach ulcers got him removed from service. After his time in the Navy, he earned a reputation for being a "hard man" when he defended himself from six gang members, who followed him after they tried to steal from his coat. Sean took up bodybuilding and enjoyed football. At one point, he was offered a contract at Manchester United for £25 a week, but he changed his goal to becoming an actor.
In 1953, Connery competed in the Mr Universe competition in London. He started his stage career as a chorus member in the musical "South Pacific." A year later, Connery first appeared as an extra in the film "Lilacs in the Spring" and had some minor television roles. In 1957, Sean landed his first leading role in the BBC's television adaptation of "Blood Money," followed by his first lead role in a B-movie crime drama, "No Road Back." The following year, he would star opposite Lana Turner in "Another Time, Another Place."
He continued to act and perfect his skill. Sean became the focus of attention when producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman approached him. They had acquired the rights to Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and began searching for an actor to play 007. Sean got the part without an audition, and the rest is history. Upon its release, "Dr. No" was an instant success. It propelled him to international stardom. He continued to play the agent in four consecutive films in the series: "From Russia with Love," "Goldfinger," "Thunderball," and "You Only Live Twice." In 1967, during the production of "You Only Live Twice," Connery grew tired of Bond and feared being typecast. He refused to return in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," with the role later given to Australian actor George Lazenby. In 1971, he returned to play the character in "Diamonds Are Forever" after Broccoli and Saltzman offered him a record $1.25 million. A great deal of money would later tempt him to portray the character in 1983's "Never Say Never Again."
Outside of portraying 007, Connery had a long and distinguished film career, beginning in the mid-1960s and continuing into the early 1970s, with roles in "Marnie," "The Hill," "A Fine Madness," "Shalako," and "The Molly Maguires." In 1974, he appeared in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy movie "Zardoz," which was a huge misstep. Sean earned a supporting role in a film adaptation of Agatha Christie's mystery novel "Murder on the Orient Express." His career continued to flourish in 1975 with films such as "The Wind and the Lion" and "The Man Who Would Be King," in which he starred alongside his friend Michael Caine. In 1976, he starred opposite Audrey Hepburn as the aging Robin Hood in the film "Robin and Marian." Although the movie was not an instant success, it solidified his reputation as a versatile, serious screen actor. In the late 1970s, Sean faced a series of setbacks, including "A Bridge Too Far," "Cuba," and "Meteor," but earned another hit with Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits." His box-office reputation would improve in films such as "Highlander" (except in the U.S.), "Name of the Rose," and "The Untouchables." The latter earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1989, Connery was paired with Harrison Ford when director Steven Spielberg cast him as Indiana Jones's father (despite being 12 years older) in "The Last Crusade." Sean went on to star in notable successes like "The Hunt for Red October," "The Russia House," "Dragonheart," "The Rock," "Entrapment," and "Finding Forrester," as well as failures like "First Knight," "The Avengers," and his very last film, "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
Connery retired from live acting in 2005. However, he also did voice work, including voicing Bond in the video game adaptation of "From Russia with Love." He even voiced the title character in the animated short "Sir Billi the Vet" and later reprised the role in 2010 for "Sir Billi," which he also executive-produced. Queen Elizabeth II knighted Sean in 2000. He married Australian actress Diane Cilento in 1962; they had their only son, Jason Connery, before divorcing in 1973.
We'll miss you, Sean, and wherever you are, you will always be my favourite James Bond!
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