Through The Years With The Late Actor Sean Connery

Aug 25, 2021 by apost team

The first — and for many, the definitive — 007 of cinema, Sean Connery, passed away last year in October at 90 years old. Today, in honor of what would have been his 91st birthday, we take a look back at the legendary actor's life and career that brought us so many magical moments.  

The Scottish actor's iconic career spanned more than six decades and extended far beyond just playing the suave secret spy, even if his seven portrayals of 007 still remain many Bond fans’ favorites. 

Born on Aug. 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 roles opposite Lana Turner in "Another Time, Another Place." But it was his casting as the original screen role of British secret agent James Bond that was his breakthrough. 

Incidentally, however, there were a few near-misses in which Connery nearly didn't take on the iconic role. For one, the actor was initially uncertain about committing to a film franchise. However, he knew that if the films were successful, his career would benefit greatly, but we're sure he wasn't prepared for just how successful and iconic the role would become.

Not only were the Bond movies successful 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 on in the series.

But another hiccup on the road to Connery portraying James Bond was the character's creator, Ian Fleming, who stated that he wasn't sure of Connery in the role, explaining: 

"He's not what I envisioned of James Bond looks ... I'm looking for Commander Bond and not an overgrown stunt man."

But 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. And while the Bond films are a major part of Connery's legacy, the actor has an equally impressive resume outside of 007. In 1988, five years after his last Bond film, he even won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the crime film "The Untouchables." Other iconic films of his include "Murder On The Orient Express," "Robin and Marian" with Audrey Hepburn, "The Name of the Rose," and, last but not least, "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade," where he played the titular character’s father.

The Scotsman even received a lifetime achievement award with a Kennedy Center Honor in 1999 and became Sir Sean Connery when he was knighted by the Queen Elizabeth II in 2000. Other accolades include being named 1989’s Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine and, in 1999, even the Sexiest Man Of The Century.

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On top of his acting legacy, Connery will also always be remembered as a lady's man. In fact, while the producers of the 007 franchise 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 appeal to women and also the way in which men wanted to emulate his suave ways, Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Cubby Broccoli, saw something in Connery, saying, "He moves like a panther."

Connery was married twice — first to actress Diane Cilento, from 1962 to 1973, with whom he had a son. After they separated in 1971, he dated other famous actresses, including Lana Wood, Jill St. John, Carole Mallory and Magda Konopka. But he found true love with his second wife, French-Moroccan artist Micheline Roquebrune, with whom he was married from 1975 until his death last year.  

The couple lived in Nassau, The Bahamas, since the 1990s, and it was at their home that the late actor passed away last October. Soon after his death, Roquebrune revealed that Connery was struggling with dementia late in his life, but that he got his wish to pass away peacefully. She told The Guardian:

"At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful. I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted.”

In another interview around the time of his death, Roquebrune spoke of the wonderful life they had together, calling him "a model of a man." More than just an actor, Connery helped to define masculinity through the lens of cinema, and his contributions are still largely felt in the industry. 

Were you a fan of Sean Connery? Which of his movies is your favorite? In honor of what would have been his 91st birthday, pass this on to those you know so they can celebrate the late actor too.