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| Sean Connery |
On October 31, 2020, actor Sean Connery passed away at the age of 90. Over a storied career that saw him move from bodybuilding to sports and later acting, he proved to be one of the most successful Scottish actors in history. Among his most noteworthy accomplishments was originating the role of James Bond, launching one of the most successful film franchises in history. He also starred in films like The Man Who Would Be King as well as won an Oscar for his role in The Untouchable. It was a career of continual highs that always brought out the most charismatic turns, and his work more than speaks for itself. He will be missed for everything he has gave the world, and it's better off for having him if just for a short time.
He was born Thomas Sean Connery on August 25, 1930 in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland. As a child, he earned the nickname of Sean due to a friendship he had with a boy named Seamus. At 16, he joined the Royal Navy and began his military journey. Following this, he would take various jobs that included lifeguard, model, and a lorry driver. By 18, he got into bodybuilding and took up football. While he was offered a contract for the sport, he decided to pursue acting at 23 following the revelation that he was approaching 30 and had limited time to remain in top physical condition.
It was then that he transitioned into acting, specifically in theater at the King's Theater. During that time he became good friends with Michael Caine. He was in a production of South Pacific, which helped give him exposure as he slowly gained more prominent roles. He would star as extras, even working for BBC Television on various productions. By 1958, he was starring in major roles like Another Time, Another Place. Later on he would star in Disney's Darby O'Gil and the Little People alongside Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro, and Jimmy O'Dea.
His big breakthrough came in 1962 with the Ian Fleming movie adaptation of the James Bond spy series. While he was initially reluctant, he believed that its success could benefit his career. Starting with Dr. No, he starred in the first five movies, helping to define the character. By the end of his run, Bond was considered to be among the greatest heroes in cinema history, setting a template for all that followed. It proved to be successful, helping to fuel a lengthy career following his run as Bond that included films with Alfred Hitchcock and Sidney Lumet.
In 1987, he won his sole Oscar for Best Supporting Actor with The Untouchables. It was part of a small resurgence for the actor, which would also include an appearance in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. As the decades continued, he would star in various action movies such as The Rock, The Hunt for Red October, and Finding Forrester. Even then, he became known for turning down roles in films like The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix. He was also voted People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 as well as The Sexiest Man of the Century in 1999.
In 2006, he retired from acting and enjoyed a quiet and peaceful life. With exception to occasional voice work, he has remained quiet. With that said, he left behind an incredible career full of memorable performances and turns that were awarded as well as acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. As one of the most noteworthy actors in Scottish history, he leaves behind plenty to enjoy and build off of. Some could argue that there wasn't another actor as smooth as him. He set the bar for gentleman cool, and that's saying a lot. There was no actor like him, and he will be missed.
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