Sean Connery

Birthday: 25 August 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Birth Name: Thomas Sean Connery

Height: 188 cm

Sean Connery is best known for portraying the character James Bond, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. In 1988, Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Untouchables (1987). His film career also includes such films as Marnie (1964), Der Name der Rose (1986), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Highlander (1986), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), DragonHeart (1996) and The Rock (1996). Connery has been polled as "The Greatest Living Scot" and "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure". In 1989, he was proclaimed "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, and in 1999, at age 69, he was voted "Sexiest Man of the Century".Thomas Sean Connery was born on August 25, 1930 in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland. His mother, Euphemia McBain (née McLean), was a cleaning lady, and his father, Joseph Connery, was a factory worker and truck driver. He has a brother, Neil Connery, who works as a plasterer in Edinburgh. He is of Irish and Scottish descent. Before going into acting, Sean had many different jobs, such as a milkman, lorry driver, a laborer, artist's model for the Edinburgh College of Art, coffin polisher and bodybuilder. He also joined the Royal Navy, but was later discharged because of medical problems. At the age of 23, he had a choice between becoming a professional footballer or an actor, and even though he showed much promise in the sport, he chose acting and said it was one of his more intelligent moves.No Road Back (1957) was Sean's first major movie role, and it followed by several Tv-movies such as Anna Christie (1957), Macbeth (1961) and Anna Karenina (1961) and guest appearances on TV-series, and also films such as Hell Drivers (1957), Another Time, Another Place (1958), Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959), The Frightened City (1961). In 1962 he appeared in The Longest Day (1962) with a host of other stars.Connery's breakthrough came in the role of secret agent James Bond. He was reluctant to commit to a film series, but understood that if the films succeeded his career would greatly benefit. He played the character in the first five Bond films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), and You Only Live Twice (1967) - then appeared again as Bond in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983). All seven films were commercially successful. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute. Connery's selection for the role of James Bond owed a lot to Dana Broccoli, wife of producer "Cubby" Broccoli, who is reputed to have been instrumental in persuading her husband that Connery was the right man. James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, originally doubted Connery's casting, saying, "He's not what I envisioned of James Bond looks", and "I'm looking for Commander Bond and not an overgrown stunt-man," adding that Connery (muscular, 6' 2", and a Scot) was unrefined. Fleming's girlfriend told him that Connery had the requisite sexual charisma, and Fleming changed his mind after the successful Dr. No (1962) premiere. He was so impressed, he created a half-Scottish, half-Swiss heritage for Bond in the later novels. Connery's portrayal of Bond owes much to stylistic tutelage from director Terence Young, polishing the actor while using his physical grace and presence for the action. Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny, related that, "Terence took Sean under his wing. He took him to dinner, showed him how to walk, how to talk, even how to eat." The tutoring was successful; Connery received thousands of fan letters a week, and the actor became one of the great male sex symbols of film. During the filming of Thunderball (1965), Connery's life was in danger in the sequence with the sharks in Emilio Largo's pool. He had been concerned about this threat when he read the script. Connery insisted that Ken Adam build a special Plexiglas partition inside the pool, but, despite this, it was not a fixed structure and one of the sharks managed to pass through it. He had to abandon the pool immediately. Connery was forced to wear a toupee during each of the Bond movies because he had started balding at the age of 17. This didn't prevent Connery from being cast in roles, although it became more noticeable in his later years. In 2005, From Russia with Love was adapted by Electronic Arts into a video game, titled James Bond 007: From Russia with Love (2005), which featured all-new voice work by Connery as well as his likeness, and those of several of the film's supporting cast.After and during the success of the Bond-films he has maintained a successful career as an actor and has appeared in films, including Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964), The Hill (1965), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Wind and the Lion (1975), Time Bandits (1981), Highlander (1986), Der Name der Rose (1986), The Untouchables (1987) (which earned him an Oscar for best actor in a supporting role), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Rising Sun (1993), The Rock (1996), Finding Forrester (2000), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).Sean married actress Diane Cilento in 1962 and they had a son, Jason Connery, born on January 11, 1963, he followed in his father's footsteps and also became an actor. The marriage ended in divorce in 1973. In 1975 he married Micheline Roquebrune and they have stayed married, they have no children together. He is also a grandfather. His son, Jason and his ex-wife, actress Mia Sara had a son, Dashiell Quinn Connery, in 1997. Hide

Let me straighten you out on this. The problem in interviews of this sort is to get across the fact, Show more Let me straighten you out on this. The problem in interviews of this sort is to get across the fact, without breaking your arse, that one is NOT Bond, that one was functioning reasonably before Bond and that one is going to function reasonably after Bond. There are a lot of things I did before Bond - like playing the classics on stage - that don't seem to get publicized. So you see, this Bond image is a problem in a way and a bit of a bore, but one has to live with it. [David Zinman: Saturday Afternoon at the Bijou, 1973] Hide

[during his speech after receiving the AFI Life Achievement award] Though my feet are tired, my hear Show more [during his speech after receiving the AFI Life Achievement award] Though my feet are tired, my heart is not. Hide

One of the things that strikes me is that no matter how difficult or underprivileged the situation y Show more One of the things that strikes me is that no matter how difficult or underprivileged the situation you were living in as a child, it wasn't considered difficult. I don't think as children, you are aware of it. You have nothing to compare it to. Hide

[on being one of the biggest movie stars in the world] Well, that's only because of your price. And Show more [on being one of the biggest movie stars in the world] Well, that's only because of your price. And my current price? Well, ha, that's nobody's business but mine. Hide

A silent gesture can convey more in a flash than a minute of spoken dialogue. Unlike most actors, wh Show more A silent gesture can convey more in a flash than a minute of spoken dialogue. Unlike most actors, who resist directors cutting their lines, I have spent my whole career filleting mine. There are few directors who have not seen my cuts as improvements. Steven Spielberg paid me the ultimate compliment on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) by adopting nine out of ten of my ideas that traded dialogue for added visual interaction. Hide

I'm fed up with the idiots, the ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and tho Show more I'm fed up with the idiots, the ever-widening gap between people who know how to make movies and those who green-light them. I don't say they're all idiots - I'm just saying there's a lot of them. It would almost need a Mafia-like offer I couldn't refuse to do another movie. Hide

I've honestly not been too aware of my age until I went to the doctor for a full check-up. He said I Show more I've honestly not been too aware of my age until I went to the doctor for a full check-up. He said I had the heart of a young man - "but you're not young, you're 40". Hide

It's funny, but the film buffs at UCLA are constantly dissecting Marnie (1964) these days to see how Show more It's funny, but the film buffs at UCLA are constantly dissecting Marnie (1964) these days to see how it was done. When it was first released, there was a lot of criticism of Alfred Hitchcock because he used a studio set for the dockside scene. But the backdrop looked just like the port of Bristol - if not Baltimore, where it's supposed to be at. I adored and enjoyed Hitchcock tremendously. He never lost his patience or composure on the set. Hide

I never disliked Bond, as some have thought. Creating a character like that does take a certain craf Show more I never disliked Bond, as some have thought. Creating a character like that does take a certain craft. It's simply natural to seek other roles. Hide

[on turning down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings] I had never read [J.R.R. Tolkien], an Show more [on turning down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings] I had never read [J.R.R. Tolkien], and I didn't understand the script when they sent it to me. Bobbits? Hobbits? Hide

Peter Mandelson, two times thrown out, is now representing Britain in Europe. In the olden times, th Show more Peter Mandelson, two times thrown out, is now representing Britain in Europe. In the olden times, they would have hung him up by his feet. The decisions in the UK are made by President Tony Blair and a couple of his cooks in the kitchen. Hide

I've always been told I was either too tall or too short, too Scottish or too Irish, too young, too Show more I've always been told I was either too tall or too short, too Scottish or too Irish, too young, too old. Hide

Dealing with this financial stuff was too much for me. It was back to education and I had to learn t Show more Dealing with this financial stuff was too much for me. It was back to education and I had to learn to understand it all myself. Hide

I am happy to say that I sued Allied Artists for cosmetic bookkeeping and they're bankrupt. I am happy to say that I sued Allied Artists for cosmetic bookkeeping and they're bankrupt.

I said I never would [do an autobiography] and then I thought about it and I said, "I'm going to do Show more I said I never would [do an autobiography] and then I thought about it and I said, "I'm going to do it". Then I started. Yeah, and it cost me a stonking amount of money not to do it - because I'd already put the wheels in motion. He [Davies] started to run with the ball with all this stuff. I realized I was going to be spending the best part of my life, and probably the rest of my life, trying to correct these inaccuracies and I can't be bothered. Hide

[in 2004] The Scottish media all say, "Oh yeah, he's a tax exile". I have paid more tax than the gov Show more [in 2004] The Scottish media all say, "Oh yeah, he's a tax exile". I have paid more tax than the government put together in that Parliament. I still pay full tax when I work in England and the same when I work in America. Hide

Robin and Marian (1976) was supposed to be called "The Death of Robin Hood", but Americans don't lik Show more Robin and Marian (1976) was supposed to be called "The Death of Robin Hood", but Americans don't like heroes who die or anything that might not smack of being a victory. Hide

There's one major difference between James Bond and me. He is able to sort out problems! There's one major difference between James Bond and me. He is able to sort out problems!

[on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)] I am resting from acting - you might Show more [on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)] I am resting from acting - you might say I'm retired. It would take something really considerable to bring me back. Nothing has been discussed but I hear it's back on. Hide

Some age, others mature. Some age, others mature.

I did smoke pot a few times but nothing else. I would never inject. I'm too fond of the drink. At ti Show more I did smoke pot a few times but nothing else. I would never inject. I'm too fond of the drink. At times I can go two weeks or more without it, but then I'm quite enthusiastic to get back to the taste again. Hide

I realised that a top-class footballer could be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was already 23 Show more I realised 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. Hide

From the earliest days of cinema a fascination with Scottish historical themes fed the appetites of Show more From the earliest days of cinema a fascination with Scottish historical themes fed the appetites of Hollywood. Macabre shockers, or what Robert Louis Stevenson called "regular crawlers", were especially popular. Not counting numerous shorts, five feature versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) were produced in Hollywood between 1912 and 1941, though none surpassed Fredric March's Oscar-winning performance and his menacing facial transformation in Rouben Mamoulian's production of 1931. Hide

I have always hated that damn James Bond. I'd like to kill him. I have always hated that damn James Bond. I'd like to kill him.

Timothy Dalton has Shakespearean training but he underestimated the role. The character has to be gr Show more Timothy Dalton has Shakespearean training but he underestimated the role. The character has to be graceful and move well and have a certain measure of charm as well as be dangerous. Pierce Brosnan is a good actor - he added some new elements to it. Hide

[on being voted the Sexiest Man of the Century] Well what can I say, people have good taste. No, I'm Show more [on being voted the Sexiest Man of the Century] Well what can I say, people have good taste. No, I'm only kidding. I really don't take things like that seriously. Hide

The idea of the hair was the iron grew sort of crew cut but something kinda put me off that. I would Show more The idea of the hair was the iron grew sort of crew cut but something kinda put me off that. I would have looked sort of like Ernest Hemingway with the beard and short hair and it would have looked American. So I went Rod Stewart but shorter. They had another wig but that made me look like Sting. I really couldn't deal with it. Well, I could deal with it. I changed it. - On The Hunt for Red October (1990). Hide

[on why he resigned the role of James Bond while filming You Only Live Twice (1967)] One of the reas Show more [on why he resigned the role of James Bond while filming You Only Live Twice (1967)] One of the reasons I stopped doing it was because I got really fed up with the space stuff and special effects. I just found it getting more and more influential in the movies. Hide

[3/03, about the impending US invasion of Iraq] I don't know who could be in favor of it, but it can Show more [3/03, about the impending US invasion of Iraq] I don't know who could be in favor of it, but it can't be stopped. It is inevitable. Hide

I never trashed a hotel room or did drugs. I understand if you get caught in a fight, but to take it Show more I never trashed a hotel room or did drugs. I understand if you get caught in a fight, but to take it out on a room that implies some psychiatric disorder. The way I was brought up made me think about the person who has to clean up afterwards. Hide

[on his knighthood being blocked by the Labour government for the second time in 1998] It's purely p Show more [on his knighthood being blocked by the Labour government for the second time in 1998] It's purely political. I have never made any secret of my association, affiliation with the Scottish National Party. I don't like the turn it's taken now when they drag up something, which is something from the past about my violence towards women which I have attempted to answer in so many ways. It might have been a stupid comment of mine to say to smack a woman or slap a woman, I think I said, and it was picked up much later by an unmentionable in America who really worked a flanker and presented a show as though I had actually admitted that it was okay to punch women. In fact, in the near future there will be some kind of revelation about quite a lot of that anyway, which I'm not going to go into now. Hide

I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and har Show more I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and hard about it and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with Steven [Steven Spielberg] and George [George Lucas], and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison [Harrison Ford] as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun. I, do however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator! This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, "Break a leg, everyone". I'll see you on May 22, 2008, at the theater! Hide

What happened was that I had polyps on my vocal cords for about six years. I had them lasered off ea Show more What happened was that I had polyps on my vocal cords for about six years. I had them lasered off each time. But then I had a little twinge of a problem while I was doing Rising Sun (1993). I couldn't get the timbre of my voice right. I couldn't get the variation and enunciation as comfortable as I wanted. So I went back to the doctor and he suggested radiation. I went for six weeks and didn't have any side effects or problems. Then I made the announcement that I had done radiation treatment. The publicists said not to do it, that it would set off an explosion. But I thought, "If you do radiation and it's a success, why not speak about it?" Hide

(On George Lazenby) I have known George for many years and arrogance is not in his character. Alas I Show more (On George Lazenby) I have known George for many years and arrogance is not in his character. Alas I cannot say the same for Cubby Broccoli. Hide

Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would be even worse at doing anything else. Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would be even worse at doing anything else.

[on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)] It was a nightmare. The director should never have Show more [on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)] It was a nightmare. The director should never have been given $185 million. Hide

I was going upstairs when I heard my own voice coming from one of the rooms. My grandchildren were w Show more I was going upstairs when I heard my own voice coming from one of the rooms. My grandchildren were watching Goldfinger (1964). So, I sat down with them and watched it for a bit. It was interesting. There was a certain elegance, a certain assurance to it that was quite comforting. There was a leisureliness that made you not want to rush to the next scene. Of course, I also saw things that could have been improved. Hide

I have no shortage of material or offers, it's just a case of what you select to do. But I think it' Show more I have no shortage of material or offers, it's just a case of what you select to do. But I think it's realistic that my chances of playing Romeo are now over. Hide

"The time came for me to retire because of my rather unfortunate last movie . . . The cost to me in Show more "The time came for me to retire because of my rather unfortunate last movie . . . The cost to me in terms of frustration and avoiding going to jail for murder cannot have continued. Hide

It reads as though one had made great dramatic decisions, but in fact one didn't. I certainly had th Show more It reads as though one had made great dramatic decisions, but in fact one didn't. I certainly had the drive from the beginning, but the targets and ambitions were much, much less. Hide

[on whether he would ever escape being identified as James Bond] It's with me 'til I go in the box. [on whether he would ever escape being identified as James Bond] It's with me 'til I go in the box.

Whenever I've tangled with a beautiful spy, have you noticed what invariably happens? Even if I know Show more Whenever I've tangled with a beautiful spy, have you noticed what invariably happens? Even if I know the girl is a nasty and dangerous little snake, I've still had to kiss her first and kill her later. Hide

I care about Bond and what happens to him. You cannot be connected with a character for this long an Show more I care about Bond and what happens to him. You cannot be connected with a character for this long and not have an interest. All the Bond films had their good points. Hide

It is said that a total ban on handguns, including .22s, would take away innocent pleasure from thou Show more It is said that a total ban on handguns, including .22s, would take away innocent pleasure from thousands of people. Is that more or less pleasure than watching your child grow up? Hide

I was called Sean long before I was an actor, I had an Irish buddy when I was 12 named Seamus -- pro Show more I was called Sean long before I was an actor, I had an Irish buddy when I was 12 named Seamus -- pronounced Shay-mus. So they nicknamed us Seamus and Shawn and it stuck. Hide

[on turning down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)] Ye Show more [on turning down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)] Yeah, well, I never understood it. I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don't understand it. Hide

I've never kept a record of anything. I gave away everything: all the posters, the memorabilia that Show more I've never kept a record of anything. I gave away everything: all the posters, the memorabilia that would have been helpful - and financially rewarding. Hide

More than anything else, I'd like to be an old man with a good face, like [Alfred Hitchcock] or [Pab Show more More than anything else, I'd like to be an old man with a good face, like [Alfred Hitchcock] or [Pablo Picasso]. Hide

Anyone contemplating a film career could do no better than read Alexander Mackendrick's book "On Fil Show more Anyone contemplating a film career could do no better than read Alexander Mackendrick's book "On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director." Hide

I thought Pierce Brosnan was a good choice. I liked GoldenEye (1995). Timothy Dalton never got a han Show more I thought Pierce Brosnan was a good choice. I liked GoldenEye (1995). Timothy Dalton never got a handle on the role. He took it seriously in the wrong way. The person who plays Bond has to be dangerous. If there isn't a sense of threat, you can't be cool. Hide

Show me a man who is content and I'll show you a lobotomy scar. Show me a man who is content and I'll show you a lobotomy scar.

It would appear I'm an inspiration for older men. Do I think I'm sexy? I've been told I am. I know t Show more It would appear I'm an inspiration for older men. Do I think I'm sexy? I've been told I am. I know that I find certain people attractive and they find me attractive and are presumptuous enough to think that's sexy. I can't answer for all those fat guys out there in their sixties. Are they more virile? Well, it's years since I went to bed with a sixtyish balding man. Look, I'm dealing with maturity alright. I'm much more interest in keeping enthusiastic than anything else. Hide

I enjoy the excitement of working on a well-crewed and exciting picture. It's like a microcosm of so Show more I enjoy the excitement of working on a well-crewed and exciting picture. It's like a microcosm of society that really works. Because nothing works anywhere else. Hide

[1973, on 'James Bond' producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli] They're not exactly enamoure Show more [1973, on 'James Bond' producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli] They're not exactly enamoured of each other. Probably they're both sitting on $50 million and looking across the desk at each other and thinking, 'That bugger's got half of what should be all mine'. Hide

[on A View to a Kill (1985)] Bond should be played by an actor 35, 33 years old. I'm too old. Roger' Show more [on A View to a Kill (1985)] Bond should be played by an actor 35, 33 years old. I'm too old. Roger's too old, too! Hide

[on Daniel Craig as the new James Bond] Craig's a great choice, really interesting - different. He's Show more [on Daniel Craig as the new James Bond] Craig's a great choice, really interesting - different. He's a good actor. It's a completely new departure. Hide

I think the fact that one's hair disappeared early made it easier. I never had a "transition problem Show more I think the fact that one's hair disappeared early made it easier. I never had a "transition problem". I've always played older. I played Harrison Ford's father and Dustin Hoffman's father. And this year, I'm going to be 65. I'm hardly going to get into a weight program and do "Tarzan". I could have the best body sculpting in the world, but I'm never going to be James Bond again. Hide

[3/06] I have retired for good. It's been a bit rough since Christmas but I'm perfectly OK and I fee Show more [3/06] I have retired for good. It's been a bit rough since Christmas but I'm perfectly OK and I feel well. In fact, I'm working on a history book. Hide

I had no grand plan. Everyone talks about how they knew the Bond films were going to be a success, b Show more I had no grand plan. Everyone talks about how they knew the Bond films were going to be a success, but it simply isn't true. Hide

[on his Marnie (1964) leading lady Tippi Hedren] She's underrated in a business where most actors ar Show more [on his Marnie (1964) leading lady Tippi Hedren] She's underrated in a business where most actors are overrated. Hide

I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do my job right, people won't ask for their money back. I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do my job right, people won't ask for their money back.

Sean Connery's FILMOGRAPHY - Page 3

as Actor (64)

The Great Train Robbery

The Anderson Tapes

Wrong Is Right

Action of the Tiger

Wolfgang

Zardoz [Sub: Eng]

The Name Of Rose

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

First Knight

Marnie

Family Business

A Bridge Too Far

Sean Connery'S roles

Jim Malone

Daniel Dravot

Col. Arbuthnot

John Patrick Mason

Ramirez

Draco