Sean Connery

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20 Feb 2024

Sean Connery

Sir Thomas Sean Connery, born on August 25, 1930, was a distinguished Scottish actor renowned for his portrayal of the iconic British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1962 to 1983. He originated the role in "Dr. No" (1962) and continued to star as Bond in films such as "From Russia with Love" (1963), "Goldfinger" (1964), "Thunderball" (1965), "You Only Live Twice" (1967), and "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). Connery made his final appearance as Bond in "Never Say Never Again" (1983), a non-Eon-produced Bond film.

Aside from his legendary stint as James Bond, Connery also forged notable collaborations with esteemed directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet, and John Huston. His filmography includes memorable roles in movies such as "Marnie" (1964), "The Hill" (1965), "The Offence" (1973), "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974), and "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975). He also appeared in "Robin and Marian" (1976), "A Bridge Too Far" (1977), "Time Bandits" (1981), "Highlander" (1986), "The Name of the Rose" (1986), "The Untouchables" (1987), "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989), "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Dragonheart" (1996), "The Rock" (1996), and "Finding Forrester" (2000). His final on-screen role was as Allan Quatermain in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (2003).

Connery received numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career, including a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and an Academy Award, making him the first Scottish actor to achieve the lattermost honor. He also received honorary awards such as the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1987, the BAFTA Fellowship in 1998, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. In 2000, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding contributions to drama, becoming Sir Sean Connery. Additionally, he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France in recognition of his achievements in the arts.

Thomas Sean Connery was born on August 25, 1930, at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was named after his paternal grandfather and grew up at No. 176 Fountainbridge, although the block has since been demolished. His mother, Euphemia McBain "Effie" McLean, worked as a cleaning woman, and his father, Joseph Connery, was employed as a factory worker and lorry driver.

Connery's family heritage was a mix of Scottish and Irish ancestry. Two of his paternal great-grandparents migrated to Scotland from Wexford, Ireland, in the mid-19th century, with his great-grandfather James Connery being an Irish Traveller. On his mother's side, his ancestors were native Scottish Gaelic speakers from Fife and Uig on Skye. Connery was raised in a Roman Catholic household, while his mother was Protestant. He had a younger brother named Neil and was often referred to as "Tommy" during his youth.
Despite being small in primary school, Connery experienced a growth spurt around the age of 12, reaching his full adult height of 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) by the age of 18. During his teenage years, he was known as "Big Tam" and had his first sexual experience at the age of 14. Connery's childhood friend Séamus called him by his middle name Sean, which Connery later preferred to use.

Connery's early jobs included working as a milkman in Edinburgh and serving in the Royal Navy at the age of 16. He acquired two tattoos during his naval service, one as a tribute to his parents and the other expressing his love for Scotland. However, he was discharged from the navy at 19 due to a duodenal ulcer, a condition prevalent in his family.
After leaving the navy, Connery held various jobs, including lorry driver, lifeguard, labourer, and coffin polisher. He also worked as an artist's model and began bodybuilding at the age of 18. Although he initially pursued bodybuilding seriously, he eventually shifted his focus to acting after feeling discouraged by the emphasis on sheer muscle size in competitions.

Connery's athleticism also extended to football, and he played for Bonnyrigg Rose in his younger days. He received an offer to trial with East Fife and caught the eye of Manchester United manager Matt Busby during a football match while on tour with a production of South Pacific. Despite the tempting offer of a football contract, Connery chose to pursue acting, a decision he considered one of his "more intelligent moves."

In late 1951, Connery started helping out backstage at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh to supplement his income. It was during this time that he learned about auditions for a production of South Pacific and landed a small role as one of the Seabees chorus boys. His performance caught the attention of the production team, and he was eventually promoted to the featured role of Lieutenant Buzz Adams.

While in Edinburgh, Connery encountered the Valdor gang, one of the city's most violent groups. In a confrontation at the Palais de Danse, Connery bravely stood up to the gang members, earning their respect and establishing a reputation as a "hard man."
During his involvement in the theatre, Connery met actor Michael Caine and developed a serious interest in dramatic literature. He began reading works by authors such as Ibsen, Tolstoy, and Shakespeare, expanding his knowledge and honing his craft.

Despite struggling financially, Connery continued to pursue acting, taking on various roles in theatre productions and film and television projects. He worked as a babysitter for journalist Peter Noble and his wife Marianne, and landed roles in Q Theatre productions and TV series like The Square Ring and Dixon of Dock Green.
Connery's breakthrough came when he was spotted by Canadian director Alvin Rakoff, who cast him in multiple roles in the film The Condemned. This led to further opportunities in both theatre and television, including appearances in Sailor of Fortune and The Jack Benny Program.
Throughout this period, Connery's dedication to his craft and his growing reputation as a versatile actor laid the groundwork for his future success in the entertainment industry.