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LAST UPDATE | 31 Oct 2020
SEAN CONNERY, BEST known for playing James Bond, has died at the age of 90.
The Scottish actor had a successful film career over several decades, with multiple awards including an Oscar for his role in the the 1987 film The Untouchables.
The BBC reported his death this afternoon.
Born in Edinburgh as the son of a factory worker and a cleaner, he left the city to join the Royal Navy, before becoming a bodybuilder and a Mr Universe contestant – a path that eventually led into acting.
An early role included the 1959 Disney film Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
James Bond
Despite years of success and fame, Connery will be best remembered for his portrayal of British secret agent 007 – the first actor to play the iconic role.
Cast as Bond in 1962, he starred in a succession of films including From Russia with Love in 1963 and Goldfinger in 1964.
He would go on to appear as the spy in seven films and help launch a global and much-loved franchise.
After leaving the role of Bond behind in 1971, Connery worked steadily for the next two decades – appearing in films such as The Man Who Would be King, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Hunt for Red October.
He would also play Bond one last time in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again.
In recent years, Connery had also become an advocate of Scottish independence, backing the country leaving the UK in the 2014 referendum.
He said back in 2014: “As a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss. Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation.”
The following year the actor, who was then retired, voiced the closing passage for the audiobook version of Alex Salmond’s book The Dream Shall Never Die – which charts the 100 days up to the referendum vote.
Salmond, the former SNP leader and Scottish first minister, described him as being the “world’s greatest Scot”, and told how his support for the cause of independence was “unshakable”.
Tributes
Actors, filmmakers and fans have already started to pay their respects to the actor.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that she was “heartbroken” to learn of Connery’s death.
“Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons,” she said.
“It was a privilege to have known Sean. When I last spoke to him it was clear even then that his health was failing – but the voice, the spirit and the passion that we all loved so well were still there. I will miss him. Scotland will miss him. The world will miss him.”
Already, film fans have began sharing memories of the actor and reflecting on his most memorable roles.
Scottish actor Robert Carlyle called him a “trailblazer” and a “true legend”.
Shirley Bassey, who sung the themes to three Bond films including Goldfinger, also paid tribute.
She said on Twitter: “I’m incredibly saddened to hear of Seans passing. My thoughts are with his family. He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond.
“When we were younger I used to cheer Sean on from the sidelines whilst he played football in his team, The Showbiz 11! Well, I will always be there to cheer you on Sean! Forever in our hearts and may you rest in peace.”
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What a legend. Rip
@Seaniecp: https://youtu.be/mzXkbJwrN38
@Shane McGrath: he’s not wrong
Best ever James Bond. RIP
My mum’s claim to fame is back in the 70′s Sean Connery asked her to dance at some event she was at. She was with my dad at the time and she was raging by all accounts!! R.I.P Sean.
@Peter Cavey: Yes sure Peter Connery.
@Peter Cavey: thats a pretty cool claim to fame!
@Brian Dunne: he probably is your Dad so …
@TheHeathen: what’s your problem, jealous maybe?
@Peter Cavey: You have his eyes. Stud
RIP what a legend.
RIP Sean. It is such a pity that you did not live another few years to see Scottish independence
@Jim Beatty:
Yes, and as a cunning linguist Sean would no doubt have brushed up on his Gaelic after Independence.
RIP to one of Scotland’s greats!
@Jim Beatty: did you not get s vote on that and voted no?
@Kieran Stafford: “did you not get a vote” ??
I am not Scottish so no I did not get to vote on it
Secondly, incase you are not aware the dynamics have completely changed the last 2 yrs with Brexit
The reasons why the no vote won last time are null and void now
@Jim Beatty: Probably would have effected him deeply? He became a peer after all.
RIP Mr Bond…….
Now he was a legend.
Feeling strangely old now…RIP Mr.Bond
My favourite Bond….. Rest in Peace you legend…..
RIP Sean. “I’m an actor – it’s not brain surgery. If I do my job right, people won’t ask for their money back.”
RIP
Aww no another legend gone
Loved his voice
@sally reid: true that. Beautiful voice.
RIP Sean Connery brilliant actor. Greatest 007 plus magnificent in The Hunt for the Red October.
I guess the banshee got him after all.. Where is Darby O Gill when you need him . Rip
Goodbye Mr Bond….. RIP Sean. Legend.
RIP.. what a legend. Loved Darbie O Gill growing up and still do – not to mention James Bond. They don’t make films like they used to.
RIP to the best Bond of all time.
R.I.P.
RIP. Great actor
The man who would be king.
RIP.
Legend.
RIP, as if this year couldn’t get any worse
Very sad RIP 007
For god sake 2020 would ya stop!!, R.I.P what a legend
@The God Of All Nerds: and two more months of it to look forward to!
RIP Sean – safe travels
Legend.. never forget how good he was in ” The Man Who would Be King ” RIP.
007 has left the room.
RIP legend
He was an amazing actor that played so many roles and absolutely aced them.
From roles alongside old Ealing studio greats right up to Hollywood stars he took the roles and made them memorable.
Rest in peace Mr Connery and thank yiu.
RIP Sean. Shail into hishtory.
Definitely was the definitive Bond… This news has left us shaken but not stirred. RIP Sean…
Was he shaken or stirred
@Barry Larkin: Its quite shad news.
@Barry Larkin: Stiffed it appears!
Best bond along with Craig. Great life! RIP!
RIP juan sanchez-villalobos ramirez
@Noel Doherty: Great role and a brilliant film!
@Alan McArdle: a french guy playing a scot and a Scot playing a spaniard still boggles me to this day. Cracking movie though
@Adrian O’Donnell: He was an Egyptian with a Spanish name :)
His best role was The name of the Rose. Best Bond easily.
What an actor R. I. P
@Aiden: what a voice
Great man.
Gone to 00 heaven
ZAAAAAAAARDOOOOOOOZ
@King Willie’s Voodoo Gang: I’d forgotten about that! Interesting but weird film.
@Ken Loughman: Underrated film.. Think the best film he made was The Hill.
I know people will say nice things about him but the running joke with my friends was how he said there was nothing wrong with hitting your wife with an open hand. He doubled down on that in the 80s so it wasn’t just a sign of the times
@Craic_a_tower: It is part of him that hasn’t aged well alright, you can see it in the Bond films where Connery can and would hit women in a few outings, whereas Moore would charm his way for information, with few exceptions early in.
@Paul Cunningham: huge difference between acting and following a script for what is essentially a misogynist character created by another person and saying it yourself some 25+years later. There really is absolutely no excuse for what he said in any way and a shame you did.
@Teresa O’Halloran: 1987, wasn’t acceptable then either. I preempted such a defence at the start, you can be a good actor and still not a nice person. Great actors might be able to not sound Scottish playing Russian, Irish, Egyptian etc..
@Teresa O’Halloran: there was never a time when it was acceptable to hit women (or children or other men for that matter) to keep them in line.
@EillieEs: As if any of our mammys or grandmammys didn’t hit us with big spoons to keep us in line. Thats the time it was back then. Doesn’t make it right but thats how it was.
@Paul Cunningham: please stop normalising his extremely problematic behaviour. Look up interviews where he has expressed some disgusting views on using violence to keep women in line. I wish people would stop excusing this. No wonder domestic violence is still a serious problem in our society if we’re all rushing to canonise a self-confessed abuser.
@C: canonise? He was a great ACTOR? That’s what people remember him as… writing RIP is hardly canonising someone.
What a legend shocked!! 2020 a yeat not worth rembering nothing positive has happened
Absolute legend, RIP
Random person: “What time will you go to Wimbledon?”
Sean Connery: “Tennis”,
RIP big man. I remember getting the toy Austin Martin as a kid back in the seventies. I thought it was amazing with its ejector seat and bullet proof screen at the back. The best Bond by far
Until we meet again mr bond.
Rip
Ah sad to hear. Amazing live. RIP
R.I.P Juan Sanchez-Villalobos Ramirez
Besides being the best Bond I loved him in Hunt for Red October one of my favorite films! RIP
THE Mr. Bond! Never watched anyone else play the part after him. R.I.P. to one of a kind.
@Doris Long: I watched them all. Some were fairly good but no-one could hold a candle to Sean!
Great fun. Farewell Mr. Bond.
I was an extra on The First Great Train Robbery. He made me a cup of tea. Lovely man. I’m a Producer now.
@John Phelan: I believe Derek Reddin who plays the doctor in mrs Brown boys was also in this film as an extra.
” Shteady on miss Moneypenny”
@: Mish
They don’t make sean Connery’s any more. loved all his films , his accent was so cool . RIP
RIP big man. 2020, do one.
Aww. I thought he’d live forever. RIP
I guess Goldfinger finally got his way , sleep well Mr Bond
Genuinely sad over this. Thinking of trying to sleep until 2021.
“No Mr Bond I expect you to die……. Goodbye Mr Bond.
There are famous people and then there are legends. RIP
RIP. Great in that dumb action film The Rock
@Munster1: Christ, that was a terrible film
His great grandfather was a traveller from wexford.he used his middle name Sean as a young man.he wore a toupee in all the James bond films.he also had a tattoo on his forearm from his young days.some interesting facts on the best James bond actor.rip
Such a loss RIP
St Peter at the pearly gates. Ah mr bond I’ve been expecting you. RIP best bond
Untouchable. R.I.P.
He’s the man now dog RIP
Sean Connery and another legend Robert Shaw laid down the gauntlet for on screen hand to hand fighting for all other actors to match since .
Every time an idol from your youth dies u feel that bit older and a little bit of ur youth dies wit them. RIP
He’s in 00heaven now Rip
End of an era and great loss to Scotland RIP
Kinda sums up 2020, even James Bonds decides to pack this year in…. RIP one of my favorite actors
What needs to be said here, for all the victims of abuse around the world and for his ex-wife whom he beat and mentally abused, is that this was a man who espoused some pretty horrific views. So while you are all rushing to call him a “great man”, you should also know that he condoned slapping your wife with quotes like:
“An open-handed slap is justified – if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning. If a woman is a b****, or hysterical or bloody-minded continually, then I’d do it.”
And again, 20 years after that
“women…want to have the last word, and you give them the last word, but they’re not happy with the last word. They want to say it again, and get into a really provocative situation. Then I think it’s absolutely right.”
So yeah, great man.
“Do you expect me to talk”?
“No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die”
Well,I didn’t.. Very upsetting news today,
R. I. P. To the legend…
A legend RIP
R. I. P. Best bond ever.
No Mr Bond. I wanted you to talk. I did not want you to die.
@Alex Marquis: Not quite accurate
Shad Newsh
RIP 007.
Spooky Halloween story. In Irish times earlier I was reading obituary page and looking at a photo of Sir Sean Connery with Actress Margaret Nolan who died on October 5th she was in movies with him. Then I hear in news that he passed away. RIP. Spooky….. . https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/margaret-ann-nolan-obituary-appeared-in-goldfinger-and-carry-on-films-1.4394325
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Resht in peashe
One of my all time favourite actors. Iconic voice. Will be sorely missed. R.I.P Sean
Class act Mr. Connery. Rest In Peace.
OOHeaven?
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE…..
“Mish Money penny”..R.I.P Mr Bond
His career spread over six decades. A bit more than several!
And we all thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse. Rip
RIP Jesus Christ
Knock knock
who’s there?
DISHES
Dishes who?
Dishes the ghost of Sean Connery
So long Sean i shall watch Goldfinger for my pleasure tonight & love it like all always do i’m a little shocked by your passing but even more shocked that the the folk here at the Journal actually are concidering they Banned my account in Honour of Honor #PussyGalore pfff Kids these days eh.
For me and I am sure many others it is the passing of an era RIP
Just eat a d!ck 2020
Ah sad news, another childhood icon gone
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