Sir Sean Connery was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to characterize fictional British secret agent James Bond (007) in film, Connery starred in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983.
Sean Connery Biography
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Sir Sean Connery was born Thomas Connery on August 25, 1930, in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the eldest of two sons of a factory worker and a cleaning lady.
Connery left school at the age of 14 and worked various jobs, including as a milkman and a lifeguard, before enlisting in the Royal Navy at the age of 16. He was discharged from the Navy at the age of 19 due to medical reasons and returned to Edinburgh, where he worked as a truck driver and a laborer.
Connery’s interest in bodybuilding led him to compete in the Mr. Universe contest in 1950, where he placed third in the tall men’s division. He later pursued a career in acting and got his start in the entertainment industry as a stagehand at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh.
Sean Connery Career
Connery’s big break came when he was cast in the lead role in the BBC drama “Requiem for a Heavyweight” in 1957. He went on to appear in several films and TV shows in the late 1950s and early 1960s before landing the role of James Bond in the 1962 film “Dr. No.” Connery went on to play Bond in six more films, including “From Russia with Love,” “Goldfinger,” and “Thunderball.” He became an international superstar and an icon of the 1960s. However, he grew tired of the role and announced his retirement from the Bond franchise in 1967.
Following his departure from the Bond series, Connery continued to work in films and earned critical acclaim for his roles in movies such as “The Man Who Would Be King,” “The Name of the Rose,” and “The Untouchables.” He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Jimmy Malone in “The Untouchables” in 1987.
Connery also appeared on stage, starring in productions of “Macbeth” and “The Wizard of Oz.” He also hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 1999 and made a cameo appearance in the 2003 film “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”
Throughout his career, Connery was known for his distinctive voice, rugged good looks, and charisma on and off screen. He was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1989 at the age of 59 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.
Sean Connery Movies
Here is a list of some of his most notable films:
Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), The Name of the Rose (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Highlander (1986), Entrapment (1999), The Rock (1996), Finding Forrester (2000), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), Modern Greeks: C.P. Cavafy (2007), Sir Billi (2012), Ever to Excel (2012).
These are just a few of Sean Connery’s most well-known films. He appeared in many other movies throughout his career, spanning several decades.
Sean Connery Awards
Sean Connery was a highly acclaimed actor, who won numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Some of the most notable awards and honors received by Sean Connery include:
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor – Sean Connery won this award in 1988 for his role in “The Untouchables”.
BAFTA Award for Best Actor – Sean Connery won this award twice, first in 1965 for his role in “The Hill” and then in 1987 for “The Name of the Rose”.
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Sean Connery won this award in 1988 for his role in “The Untouchables”.
American Film Institute Life Achievement Award – Sean Connery received this prestigious award in 2006 in recognition of his outstanding career in film.
Kennedy Center Honors – Sean Connery was honored with this award in 1999 for his contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award – Sean Connery received this award in 1999 for his outstanding career in European cinema.
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award – Sean Connery was honored with this award in 2006 for his contributions to the acting profession.
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Honorary Fellowship – Sean Connery received this award in 1991 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts.
Scottish BAFTA Outstanding Achievement Award – Sean Connery received this award in 2003 for his outstanding contributions to Scottish cinema.
Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters – Sean Connery was awarded this prestigious honor by the French government in 1987 for his contributions to the arts.
These are just a few of the many awards and honors that Sean Connery received throughout his illustrious career.
Sean Connery Wife and Marriage
He was married to his first and only wife, Diane Cilento, from 1962 to 1973. They had one child together, a son named Jason Connery.
Before marrying Cilento, Connery was in a relationship with actress Julie Hamilton, with whom he had a son named Neil Connery. He also had relationships with several other women throughout his life, including actresses Lana Turner and Ursula Andress.
After his divorce from Cilento, Connery began a long-term relationship with Micheline Roquebrune, a Moroccan-French painter. They were together for over 40 years, until his death in 2020.
In his autobiography, “Being a Scot,” Connery spoke fondly of his relationships with both Cilento and Roquebrune, describing them as important and meaningful partnerships in his life.
Other Ventures
Sean Connery had a diverse range of interests and ventures throughout his life, which contributed to his legacy as a versatile and multi-talented actor and public figure.
Connery co-wrote a novel called “The Diamond Smugglers” based on his experiences while filming “Diamonds Are Forever.” He produced the film “The Bowler and the Bunnet,” which was released in 1967.
Connery was a philanthropist and was actively involved in various charities. He established the Scottish International Education Trust to help young Scots pursue higher education. Connery was also a supporter of the Scottish National Party, which advocates for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
Connery also had a business venture in the 1990s with a friend where they produced a range of high-quality men’s perfumes and aftershaves.
Sean Connery Death
The Scottish actor and cultural icon, passed away on October 31, 2020, at the age of 90. His death was confirmed by his family, who reported that he had died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas, where he had been living for many years.
The cause of Connery’s death was reported as pneumonia and heart failure, with the actor having been unwell for some time prior to his passing. His death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, fellow actors, and public figures around the world, who remembered him for his remarkable talent, charisma, and contributions to the film industry.
Connery’s legacy continues to live on through his iconic performances in films like the James Bond series, as well as his broader cultural impact as a symbol of Scottish identity and national pride. He will be remembered as one of the most beloved and influential actors of his generation, whose work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
Sean Connery Net Worth
At the time of his death, Sean Connery’s estimated net worth was reported to be around $350 million. Despite his wealth, Connery was known for his humble upbringing and his commitment to philanthropy, having established the Scottish International Education Trust to support young people from Scotland pursuing higher education.