Biography of Sean Connery

Sean was born as Thomas Sean Connery in Fountainbridge Scotland on August 25, 1930. His parents were honest, hardworking people, but were also very poor. At an early age, Sean displayed keen athletic abilities, and even had professional soccer potential.

Sean joined the Royal Navy, but a distinct distaste for authority led him elsewhere. A frustrated, though determined young man, he attempted to drown his anger in weight lifting, and was Scotland's represenative to the 1953 Mr. Universe contest, finishing third. He also worked as a tough laborer, lifeguard and model for art classes.

Sean eventually drifted into acting, heavily encouraged by an American named Robert Henderson. Gradually he started landing roles in stage productions including ”Anna Christie”, ”Anna Karenina” and Arthur Miller's ”The Crucible”. His first TV appearence was in 1956.

After wading through several low-key, cameo roles in mediocre films, Sean landed a respectable role in Disney's DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE. Then, after a few more forgettable films, came THE LONGEST DAY, which starred countless famous actors, offering little screen time for our charming Scot.

Connery beat out many far bigger (and more expensive) names to play Ian Fleming's superspy James Bond in DR. NO (1962), which made him a major 60’s icon. He leavened the inherent violence of the character with his unflappably cool sophistication and humor.

However, Sean would quickly grow disillusioned with the public's inability to differentiate between him and Bond. Connery periodically escaped Bondage to tackle a wider range of roles in other features, such as Alfred Hitchcock's MARNIE (1964), A FINE MADNESS (1966) and THE MOLLY MAGUIRES (1970), but most were box-office duds. He did some of his best work over the course of his significant collaboration with director Sidney Lumet: THE HILL (1965), as a convict in a military prison; MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974), as part of the all-star ensemble and FAMILY BUSINESS (1989), a critical and commercial misfire.

Sean left the role of James Bond, after YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE the role was filled by newcomer George Lazenby, an Australian model. However, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, Lazenby's only film as Bond, was a financial failure by Bondian standards, and producers Broccoli and Saltzman were determined to get Sean back at all costs. This led to DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, Sean's weakest performance as Sir James, though one of the most lucrative contracts in film history.

Connery utilized this period to star in a wide range of interesting adventure films, including John Huston's THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975), John Milius's THE WIND AND THE LION (1975), and, in a crucial supporting role, Terry Gilliam's TIME BANDITS (1981). Bald, a little paunchy, but still handsome and charismatic, Connery donned his toupee and returned to his most celebrated role for the aptly titled NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (1983). The film was a hit. Coming in the same year as Moore's OCTOPUSSY, there was a hyped battle of the Bonds, though this was eventually played down as Never ran into endless delays.

One very happy note occured when Sean married Micheline Roquebrune in 1975. He and Micheline met while playing golf (one of his greatest passions) and they proved to be the perfect match, remaining happily married to this day.

Connery followed up with the popular fantasy film, HIGHLANDER (1986) and the
successful international co-production THE NAME OF THE ROSE (1986) before hitting a homerun with an Oscar-winning supporting role in Brian De Palma's adaptation of THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987). Playing Malone, a sly and crafty old Irish cop, he easily eclipsed Kevin Costner, the film's ostensible leading man. The success of this film placed Connery firmly back on the A-list of modern Hollywood leading men albeit often in older, fatherly roles (often older than his actual age). His renewed star shone particularly brightly in Steven Spielberg's third installment of the Indiana Jones series, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989), as the alternately aloof and irascible father of Harrison Ford.

One of the most sought-after actors in the industry, Connery keeps busy regardless of whether his films hit or miss. He is a proponent of the always-keep-working school, in part because of his financial support of the Scottish National Theater.Connery's 90's credits include THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990), MEDICINE MAN (1992) and most recently ENTRAPMENT (1999) opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones.