For decades he’s been a true cinematic icon, behind some of the most memorable performances in movie history. And at the age of 90, Sir Sean Connery – the original James Bond, among so many other things – has passed away.
Connery’s screen career began in the late 1950s, but the year he became a major cinematic presence was with his first performance as Ian Fleming’s super-spy in 1962’s Dr No. He reprised the role of 007 six more times, through From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds Are Forever, and returning one last time as Bond in 1983’s non-Eon 007 outing Never Say Never Again. His take on the character remains one of the most beloved incarnations of a movie hero who still endures today.
“We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery,” Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a joint statement. “He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words – ‘The name’s Bond... James Bond’ – he revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.”
Beyond Bond, Connery starred in countless other iconic productions. In 1964 he starred alongside Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie, and he was among the star cast of Sidney Lumet’s 1974 adaptation of Murder On The Orient Express as Colonely Arbuthnot. He starred in war movies including John Huston’s The Man Who Would Be King and Richard Attenborough’s A Bridge Too Far, but was also no stranger to sci-fi and fantasy too, famously leading John Boorman’s bonkers (now cult favourite) Zardoz, playing King Agamemnon in Terry Gilliams’ Time Bandits, and immortal warrior Ramirez in Highlander.
Through the late ‘80s, Connery’s career was still flying high. He won Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars in 1988 for his turn as officer Jimmy Malone in Brian De Palma’s Al Capone story The Untouchables, and a year later he took on one of his most beloved roles – that of Henry Jones Sr. in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, performing brilliantly against Harrison Ford as Indy’s fussy father. He continued to be a major screen presence through the 1990s too, with memorable performances in the likes of submarine thriller The Hunt For Red October, Michael Bay action favourite The Rock, and crime caper Entrapment.
Connery’s screen career wound down in the early ‘00s, with his last live-action role being Allan Quatermain in the not-so-faithful adaptation of Alan Moore’s Victorian literature team-up graphic novel The League Of Extraordinary Gentlement. His final film performance was providing his voice to Scottish animation Sir Billi in the title role in 2012.
Throughout his working life, Connery defined some of the most well-known film characters of all time, worked with many supremely talented filmmakers, and brought cinematic joy to audiences around the world. Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, and loved ones – and he’ll be truly missed.