Legendary Actor & James Bond Star Sean Connery Turns 90 Today
When many think of the character of the British spy known as James Bond, the actor who comes to mind isSean Connery. As a thespian, he embodied what the character like no one else, and many years after he retired from the role, he is still being hailed as the best Bond actor ever.
Sir Thomas Sean Connerywas born on August 25, 1930, in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland. He is a Scottish actor and producer who has won anAcademy Award, twoBAFTA Awards, and threeGolden Globes, including theCecil B. DeMille Award.
Not many know that this dashing star was the first to portray the character of 007 in film, appearing in seven Bond movies between 1962 and 1983.
Connery was initially hesitant to commit himself to a film series but understood that his career would greatly benefit if the movies succeeded.
He played James Bond in the first five films about the character:Dr. No(1962),From Russia With Love (1963),Goldfinger (1964),Thunderball (1965),You Only Live Twice (1967),Diamonds Are Forever (1971), andNever Say NeverAgain(1983).
All seven films were commercially successful and Connery’s interpretation of the Bond character was selected as the third greatest hero in cinematic history by theAmerican Film Institute.
Besides the Bond films, he has appeared in many other features, includingThe Untouchables (1987),The Man Who Would Be King (1975),Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), andFinding Forrester (2000).
Connery was picked byThe Sunday Herald as “The Greatest Living Scot” and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the United States in 1999.