Sean Connery
Sean Connery
(born August 25, 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland)
Bond Films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
Other Notable Work: A Night to Remember (1958), Marnie (1964), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Great Train Robbery (1979), Highlander (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Russia House (1990), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Medicine Man (1992), Rising Sun (1993), Just Cause (1995), First Knight (1995), The Rock (1996), Dragonheart (1996)
Sean Connery's Biography: Born with the name Thomas Connery, he went by his middle name, Sean. Connery grew up in Scotland, where his father worked as a truck driver (an occupation which Sean later adopted). Times were financially difficult for the family.
After dropping out of high school, Connery joined the Royal Navy, but was later sent home due to ulcers. As a young man, he found work as a tough laborer, model, and lifeguard. Sean got his first taste of fame in 1953, when he placed third in a Mr. Universe contest. This eventually led to a role with the touring company of South Pacific and, later, a television debut.
During the
1950's, Connery signed a movie deal with MGM. In 1962 he was cast as
James Bond (over Cary Grant, Patrick McGoohan, Rex Harrison, and Roger Moore).
When he began to fear of being forever typecast (and grew upset with
Bond producer Cubby Broccoli), Sean left the role in 1967, only to return
for another Bond film in 1971 and the"unofficial " 007 picture, Never
Say Never Again, in 1983.
Sean Connery is a popular actor in Hollywood today. He has worked with directors like Brian DePalma and Alfred Hitchcock and won an Academy Award for his role as Malone, an Irish cop, in The Untouchables. In 1997 he was awarded by the Film Society at Lincoln Center in New York and was given an honorary lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival of 1998.
In 1989 Sean was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine. He was also victorious at the 1996 Lexus Challenge golf tournament, where he teamed up with golf pro Hale Irwin.
Connery has been married twice. His first wife was actress Diane Cilento, with whom he had his only child, Jason. Sean and his second wife, Micheline Roquebrune, have been married since 1975.
What Connery Did For Bond: Put simply, Sean Connery set the standard by which all other Bonds are compared. He remade Fleming's character for the big-screen, and helped to shape 007's "larger than life" image. Sean was able to exhibit both the dangerous, remorseless side of Bond, and the cavalier, humorous side. His physical aggressiveness and cat-like agility made him a strong and believable fighter, even against foes like the enormous Red Grant. He was also the only Bond to smoke cigarettes and wear a hat.