Scottish born actor Sir Sean Connery passed away on October 31 at the age of 90. This memorial Timeline was created to showcase the life and success of this 20th-century movie icon.
Memories Editor Thomas Sean Connery was born on 25 August 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is of Scottish and Irish descent. His nickname used to be “Tommy,” and was even known as “Big Tam” as a teenager due to his height. He went by Sean in his youth when he had a friend called Seamus and they went by Sean and Seamus.
Memories Editor Sean Connery joined the Royal Navy in 1946 at the age of 16. He served as an Able Seaman on the HMS Formidable until his discharge after three years in service due to duodenal ulcer.
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Memories Editor He took on several odd jobs after his discharge from the navy, including a lorry driver, lifeguard, a labourer, and even a coffin polisher. He also worked as an artist’s model at the Edinburgh College of Arts and was described as "very straight, slightly shy, too, too beautiful for words, a virtual Adonis."
Memories Editor Young Connery as a body builder
Memories Editor While on tour for the musical, he was scouted by Matt Busby of Manchester United to play for the team. He turned it down to pursue his acting career.
Memories Editor Sean Connery landed his first acting job in the musical “South Pacific” as a Seabees chorus boy in 1953.
Memories Editor His first film role was of a minor gangster named Spike in the movie No Road Back in 1957.
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Memories Editor Sean Conner landed his first leading role as Harlan "Mountain" McClintock in the BBC television production of “Requiem For a Heavyweight.”
Memories Editor He married actress Diane Cilento in 1962. Their son, Jason Connery was born in 1963.
Memories Editor His big break came in 1962 when he was cast as James Bond for the first five films of the series.
Memories Editor Click here to read the Memories Timeline for James Bond: https://memories.net/timeline/jamesbondmovies-11207#.X54JVRKl1Wt.link
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Memories Editor Sean Connery starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Marnie.” Click here to read the Memories Timeline for Alfred Hitchcock: https://memories.net/timeline/alfred-hitchcock-28015#.X54Ky4t4S1B.link
Memories Editor He won the Golden Globe Henrietta Award for “World Film Favourite - Male” in 1972. He shares this award with American actor Charles Bronson.
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Memories Editor After his separation from Diane Cilento in 1971, Sean Connery married Micheline Roquebrune in 1975.
Memories Editor He reprised his role as James Bond in 1983 for the film “Never Say Never Again.”
Memories Editor Film critic Roger Ebert wrote in his review: "The best performance in the movie is Connery... [he] brings a human element to his character; he seems to have had an existence apart from the legend of the Untouchables, and when he's onscreen we can believe, briefly, that the Prohibition Era was inhabited by people, not caricatures." Source: https://youtu.be/PpLVfUidxKA
Memories Editor Sean Connery starred in the critically acclaimed film “The Untouchables” in 1987 alongside Kevin Costner, Andy Garcia, and Robert De Niro.
Memories Editor Sean Connery winning the Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "The Untouchables" at the 60th Academy Awards® in 1988.
Memories Editor He received a Golden Globe Award and BAFTA nominations for his role as Henry Jones, Sr. in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989.
Memories Editor Lead actor Harrison Ford said this about Connery: "It was amazing for me in how far he got into the script and went after exploiting opportunities for character. His suggestions to George [Lucas] at the writing stage really gave the character and the picture a lot more complexity and value than it had in the original screenplay."
Memories Editor Connery was referred to as "The Greatest Living Scot" and "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure".
Memories Editor He received a lifetime achievement award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1998. Source: https://youtu.be/N7yllxM0f2c
Memories Editor Sean Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood Palace on 5 July 2000.
Memories Editor Sean Connery recorded voiceovers for the video game “James Bond 007: From Russia With Love,” by EA Games.
Memories Editor His retirement from acting was capped with receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 2006.
Memories Editor Sean Connery died in his sleep on 31 October 2020 at his home in the Bahamas. He was surrounded by his family.
RIP Legend