Sean Connery Celebrates 90th Birthday Today

Aug 25, 2020 by apost team

Actor Sean Connery is celebrating his 90th birthday today and in honor of his birth, we're taking a look at the actor's role as James Bond and the other reasons why fans the world over love the Scotsman.

From his onscreen roles to his intelligence and sex appeal, here are the reasons we should celebrate Sean Connery today.

via GIPHY

Born on August 25, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland, the actor's full name is Thomas Sean Connery, but he was known by his middle name Sean long before his acting career began. A keen sportsman in his young adult years, Connery tried various physical activities, including bodybuilding and football, before taking a job working backstage at the King's Theatre in 1951 to earn extra income. 

Soon he became interested in the workings of the theater and before too long he'd landed bit parts in productions, before actively pursuing larger roles. He soon transitioned to TV and film, eventually landing major roles in the late 1950s including opposite Lana Turner in Another Time, Another Place. 

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But it was his casting in the original screen role of British secret agent James Bond that was his breakthrough. Initially uncertain about committing to a film franchise, Connery was aware that if the films were successful, his career would benefit greatly. And successful they were—not only with audiences but years later Connery's role as Bond would be voted the third greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute. He appeared in the franchise's first five films, followed by two more later in the series.

Funnily enough, the creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming, originally wasn't sure of Connery in the role, saying, "He's not what I envisioned of James Bond looks." After the first film's success and realizing how great he was for the role, Fleming went on to write Connery's Scottish heritage into the role, making Bond's father a Scotsman.

via GIPHY

While the producers might have needed convincing of Connery in the role of Bond, one of their wives is said to be the reason the actor was cast. Seeing his sex appeal to women, and also men wanting to emulate his suave ways, Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Cubby Broccoli, saw something attractive in Sean Connery, saying that, "He moves like a panther."

Although finishing his schooling at the age of 14, Connery was an avid learner later on in life, making up for his lack of formal education by reading literature by Marcel Proust, Leo Tolstoy, and William Shakespeare. He also made wise decisions throughout his career, for example, passing up the chance to play professional football for Manchester United, stating:

"I realized that a top-class footballer could be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was already 23. I decided to become an actor and it turned out to be one of my more intelligent moves."

Smart and sexy, what's not to love about Bond legend Sean Connery. We wish him the happiest of birthdays in honor of his 90th year around the sun!

Are you a Sean Connery fan? What's your favorite reason why you love him? Let us know in the comments below, then be sure to pass this on so other fans can honor him too!