No introduction of a name, real or fictional, has captured the world’s imagination than James Bond’s. Since the name was first introduced in the movie “Dr. No” in 1962, James Bond has become one of the most recognizable names in the world. Unfortunately, the actor who first portrayed the role of James Bond and starred in the first 7 Bond films between 1962 and 1983, Sean Connery, died on October 31.
He did not wake up from his sleep in his mansion in Nassau, Bahamas, the location of one of his Bond films, “Thunderball.” It was a peaceful death at age 90 for one who had led action-packed roles and violent characters in many of the movies he did. He left his wife of 45 years, Micheline Roquebrune, and sons Jason and Stephane. His millions of fans around the world were deeply devastated by his demise as they regarded him as invincible and immortal. His son, Jason, said that his father’s passing was “a sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.” For those who grew up watching his movies, Sean Connery was larger than life and the true champion of the forces of light over darkness who battled the international terrorists, crime syndicates and rogue regimes.
The Scottish actor was born into a working class family in Edinburgh, Scotland on August 25, 1930. His father was a lorry driver who could not provide him sufficient education. He enlisted in the British Royal Navy at a young age. After his military service in 1949, he found a job as a coffin-polisher and bricklayer. At this stage of his life, who would ever imagine that he would end up in the glamorous life of acting? He became enamored in weight lifting and bodybuilding. With his built and handsome looks, he became a male model, which left the door ajar into acting. A local production of “South Pacific” hired muscular guys to play the role of American sailors and Sean got hired. He enjoyed his beat role and the other minor parts he played later on. He was convinced that acting was more rewarding than laying bricks and working on coffins. It did not take long before Sean was introduced in the movie “Let’s Make Up.” After working in some unpopular films, he became a marquee name when he starred as James Bond in the first Bond film, “Dr. No.” It was a top grosser that year and the name Bond became a byword among the movie fans. He reprised his role as James Bond in 6 more Bond movies, which broke records at the cinema.
His first major film was in a gangster movie, “No Road Back’’ in 1957. Bond films are spy thrillers where he played the fictional Spy Agent 007. His movie career spanned 7 decades where he played other roles, which tested his acting prowess. He is remembered for his memorable and successful films such as “The Hunt for the Red October,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “The Highlander,” “A Bridge Too Far,” “Finding Forrester” and many others. He ceased doing Bond flicks after some movie reviews did not look kindly on his Bond roles although the moviegoers were not in agreement. The critics deplored the excessive action, violence and sex, which were the common ingredients of Bond films. He moved to other genres where he won acting awards and other accolades—an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for “The Untouchables” in 1988, three Golden Globe Awards, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards twice for Best Actor, the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 2006, the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in 1999 and as a Commander of France’s Order of Arts and Literature. But none beats the recognition given to him by the People Magazine as the “Sexiest Man of the Century in 1999”. He quit doing movies officially in 2006. He is one of the most admired actors of all time and respected by his peers and co-workers. Definitely, he is a movie icon of the 20th Century.
Sean Connery, outside of the movies, was voted in the Sunday Herald as “The Greatest Living Scot” in 1994. He was named as “Scotland’s Greatest Living National Treasure by the Euromillions in its 2011 Survey. Sean was active in politics in his native Scotland. He was a member of the Scottish National Party and an ardent supporter of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. He financially supported the movement for independence until the UK passed a law that prohibited funding political activities outside of the UK. After moving to the Bahamas where he lived until his death, he vowed not to return to his homeland to live until Scotland gained its independence from the UK. For more than a couple of times, he was earlier recommended for knighthood but powerful British politicians opposed it due to his political views. However, in 2000, he was knighted by the Queen in recognition of his indelible contributions to the movie industry and the great honor he brought to the UK for his outstanding film characterizations.
Sir Sean Connery, as the title of one of your movies indicated, you only live twice but you will live in our hearts forever.