Sean Connery, born Sir Thomas Sean Connery, was a Scottish actor whose commanding screen presence made him one of cinema’s most enduring stars. Best known for portraying Agent 007 in six official James Bond films between 1962 and 1971—and again in 1983—Connery became the definitive embodiment of Ian Fleming’s legendary spy. Beyond Bond, he built a distinguished career with performances in films such as The Untouchables, The Rock, Highlander, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. In 1987, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Untouchables.

Early Life and Humble Beginnings

Sean Connery was born on August 25, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Euphemia Maclean, a cleaning woman, and Joseph Connery, a factory worker. Raised in modest circumstances, he left school early and worked as a milkman before joining the Royal Navy. During his service, he received two tattoos—one honoring his family and another expressing his pride in Scotland. He was medically discharged due to a duodenal ulcer.

After leaving the Navy, Connery held various jobs, from coffin polishing to modeling for art students. In 1951, while working backstage at the King’s Theatre, he developed an interest in acting. Around the same period, he pursued bodybuilding and competed in the 1950 Mr. Universe contest, where he placed third. He also briefly played football for Bonnyrigg Rose’s youth team.

Early Film Career and Rising Profile

Sean Connery’s first notable film role came in Another Time, Another Place (1958), starring Lana Turner. During filming, Turner’s partner, gangster Johnny Stompanato, confronted Connery at gunpoint; Connery disarmed him, and Stompanato was subsequently barred from the set. The incident added to Connery’s growing reputation for toughness.

He continued building his résumé with roles in Darby O’Gill and the Little People and other British productions, gradually positioning himself for a breakthrough.

The James Bond Phenomenon

Connery’s defining role arrived in 1962 with Dr. No, launching the James Bond film series based on the novels by Ian Fleming. He went on to star in From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice, establishing the suave, confident, and physically imposing persona that became synonymous with Agent 007.

After a brief departure, he returned for Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and later reprised the role in Never Say Never Again (1983). Fleming himself was reportedly impressed by Connery’s portrayal, adapting Bond’s literary background to include Scottish heritage in tribute to the actor.

Beyond Bond: Critical and Commercial Success

Following his initial departure from Bond, Sean Connery diversified his roles. He appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie and in Murder on the Orient Express (1974), directed by Sidney Lumet and based on Agatha Christie’s novel, alongside Ingrid Bergman, Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, Richard Widmark, and Vanessa Redgrave.

In 1986, he won a BAFTA Award for The Name of the Rose, adapted from Umberto Eco’s novel. That same year, he appeared in Highlander, portraying the mentor figure Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez, a role that foreshadowed the authoritative mentor characters he would later embody.

His Academy Award–winning performance came in 1987’s The Untouchables, directed by Brian De Palma. In 1989, he played Professor Henry Jones Sr., father to Harrison Ford’s hero, in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas. Spielberg and Lucas noted that Indiana Jones had been heavily inspired by the Bond character, making Connery’s casting particularly meaningful.

Among his later commercially successful films were The Russia House (1990), The Rock (1996), and Entrapment (1999). His final screen appearance came in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), after which he announced his retirement from acting following a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 2006.

Personal Life and Political Engagement

Sean Connery was married to actress Diane Cilento from 1962 to 1973; they had one son, actor Jason Connery. In 1975, he married French painter Micheline Roquebrune, with whom he remained until his death.

A longtime supporter of the Scottish National Party, Connery openly advocated for Scottish independence and supported the party both financially and publicly. In 2000, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming Sir Sean Connery.

Death and Legacy

Sean Connery died on October 31, 2020, in Nassau, Bahamas, at the age of 90. His portrayal of James Bond defined an era and influenced generations of actors, while his Academy Award and numerous accolades confirmed his standing as one of Britain’s—and Scotland’s—most celebrated cinematic figures.

Selected Filmography

1962 – Dr. No – (James Bond) – Feature Film
1963 – From Russia with Love – (James Bond) – Feature Film
1964 – Goldfinger – (James Bond) – Feature Film
1965 – Thunderball – (James Bond) – Feature Film
1967 – You Only Live Twice – (James Bond) – Feature Film
1971 – Diamonds Are Forever – (James Bond) – Feature Film
1974 – Murder on the Orient Express – (Col. Arbuthnot) – Feature Film
1986 – The Name of the Rose – (William of Baskerville) – Feature Film
1986 – Highlander – (Juan Sánchez) – Feature Film
1987 – The Untouchables – (Jim Malone) – Feature Film
1989 – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – (Professor Henry Jones Sr.) – Feature Film
1996 – The Rock – (John Patrick Mason) – Feature Film
1999 – Entrapment – (Robert MacDougal) – Feature Film
2003 – The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – (Allan Quatermain) – Feature Film

Source: Biyografiler.com