Who was Sean Connery? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Sir Sean Connery, Thomas Connery

Died At Age: 90

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Micheline Roquebrune (m. 1975), Diane Cilento (m. 1962–1973)

father: Joseph Connery

mother: Euphemia McBain

siblings: Neil (b. 1938), Neil Connery

children: Jason Connery

Born Country: Scotland

James Bond Actors

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

Died on: October 31, 2020

place of death: Nassau, Bahamas

Personality: ENFJ

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

Diseases & Disabilities: Dementia

City: Edinburgh, Scotland

Recommended For You

1

What was Sean Connery's first James Bond movie?

Sean Connery's first James Bond movie was "Dr. No" released in 1962.
2

How many James Bond movies did Sean Connery star in?

Sean Connery starred in a total of seven James Bond movies.
3

Which other iconic movie role did Sean Connery play besides James Bond?

Sean Connery also played the role of Indiana Jones' father in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
4

What was Sean Connery's last movie before retiring from acting?

Sean Connery's last movie before retiring was "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" released in 2003.
5

Was Sean Connery ever knighted?

Yes, Sean Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.

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Childhood & Early Life

Sean Connery was born on August 25, 1930, in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Joseph Connery, a truck driver and Euphemia McBain, a cleaning woman. He has a younger brother named Neil Connery.

His parents were poor and lived in a neighborhood that had rubber mills and breweries. As an infant, he used to sleep in a bureau drawer as his parents could not afford a crib for him.

He grew up on the streets, playing football with the neighborhood boys. In his early years, he was dubbed the ‘Big Tam’ because of his muscular built and ability to pound his friends.

He received his early education from ‘Tollcross Elementary School.’ He was good at mathematics and also had a keen interest in reading. He used to go fishing with his brother and skipped school for extracurricular activities.

At the age of 13, he quit school to earn money for his family and got a job as a milkman in Edinburgh. After three years, he joined the ‘Royal Navy’ but was discharged after some time on medical grounds due to his stomach ulcer. Upon returning, he served as a truck driver, laborer, lifeguard, and coffin polisher to support his family.

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Career

Sean Connery had a keen interest in bodybuilding. At the age of 23, he traveled to London and took part in ‘Mr. Universe’ contest on the persuasion of his friends. He was suggested by one of his competitors to audition for the stage production of ‘South Pacific.’ He gave the audition and was selected for the role of one of the Seabees chorus boys.

During the production of ‘South Pacific’ at ‘Opera House,’ Manchester, he became friends with the American director and actor Robert Henderson, who introduced him to ‘Maida Vale Theatre’ in London.

He worked for TV series and movies alongside theatre to make both ends meet. In 1957, he did minor roles in some of the movies, including ‘No Road Back,’ ‘Action of the Tiger,’ and ‘Time Lock.’

In 1958, he was offered a major role in ‘Another Time, Another Place’ opposite Lana Turner. In 1959, he played a role in Robert Stevenson's film ‘Darby O'Gill and the Little People.’ Both films were quite successful.

In 1961, he was approached by producers Harry Saltzman and Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli for the role of James Bond in the movies based on Ian Fleming’s best-selling novels. He was reluctant at first but eventually agreed to play the character, which made him an icon.

He starred in seven Bond films – ‘Dr. No’ (1962), 'From Russia with Love' (1963), 'Goldfinger' (1964), 'Thunderball' (1965), 'You Only Live Twice' (1967), 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971), and 'Never Say Never Again' (1983).

Alongside Bond movies, he also starred in other critically acclaimed and successful movies which include ‘Marnie’ (1964) , ‘The Hill’ (1965), ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (1974), ‘The Untouchables’ (1987), and Steven Spielberg’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ (1989).

He announced his retirement from acting on 8 June 2006, while receiving ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from ‘American Film Institute.’

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Major Works

Sean Connery was regarded as the quintessential British secret agent for his portrayal of the fictional spy James Bond in movies. He was sleek, smooth, and confident in playing the character. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the ‘American Film Institute.’

He was critically acclaimed for his performance in the 1986 movie ‘The Name of the Rose’ and the 1987 film ‘The Untouchables.’

He received positive reviews and praises for his portrayal of William Forrester in the movie ‘Finding Forrester’ which released in 2000.

Awards & Achievements

He won the ‘Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor’ for his performance in the 1987 film ‘The Untouchables.’

He won the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the ‘Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films’ in 1995.

He won three ‘Golden Globe’ awards and two ‘BAFTA’ awards, one of them being a ‘BAFTA Academy Fellowship’ award.

In 1989, he was named the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ and in 1999, ‘The Sexiest Man of the Century’ by ‘People’ magazine.

In 1999, Sean Connery received a ‘Kennedy Center Honor’ for ‘Lifetime Achievement’ and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in July 2000.

In 2006, he was honored by the ‘American Film Institute’ with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’

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Connery was ranked fourth in a poll conducted by ‘Channel 4’ for their list of ‘100 Greatest Movie Stars’ in 2000.

A bronze bust sculpture was placed in Tallinn, Estonia in honor of Sir Connery in 2010.

Personal Life & Legacy

In December 1962, Sean Connery secretly married Diane Cilento, a divorced Australian actress. They had a son named Jason Connery who went on to become an actor. Connery and Cilento divorced in 1973 amidst rumors that he had abused her which led to their divorce.

In 1975, he married a French-Moroccan artist named Micheline Roquebrune. Connery and Roquebrune share a common passion for golf.

Connery was a member of the ‘Scottish National Party.’ He campaigned for Scottish independence from the UK.

Connery faced accusations of being a tax exile, for which he produced documents of him paying tax to the UK in 2003. He was also caught amidst a tax evasion investigation after selling his Marbella villa in 1999 but was subsequently cleared by the Spanish officials.

Sean Connery died in his sleep in Bahamas on 31 October 2020, at the age of 90.

Facts About Sean Connery

Connery was an avid supporter of Scottish independence and was a vocal advocate for the cause.

He turned down the role of Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, a decision he later regretted.

Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the film industry.

1988	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture	The Untouchables (1987)
1972	World Film Favorite - Male	Winner

Sean Connery Biography

You wanted to know

What was Sean Connery's first James Bond movie?

How many James Bond movies did Sean Connery star in?

Which other iconic movie role did Sean Connery play besides James Bond?

What was Sean Connery's last movie before retiring from acting?

Was Sean Connery ever knighted?