Sean Connery

The Bonds


Home    THE BONDS

---Recent Movies Played In---

  • The Untouchables (1987)
  • Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
  • The Hunt for Red October (1990)
  • The Russia House (1990)
  • The Rock (1996)
  • Dragonheart (1996)
  • The Avengers (1998)
  • Playing By Heart (1999)
  • Entrapment (1999)
  • Finding Forrester (2000)
  • League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

        Born Thomas Connery in the Fountainbridge district of Edinburgh, Scotland on August 25, 1930. The son of a truck-driver, he came from a background very different from that of his screen alter-ego. After leaving school, he joined the Royal Navy, but was released due to ulcers. He had many jobs, including laborer, lifeguard and model for art classes. But it was his career as a bodybuilder that led to his representing Scotland in the 1953 Mr. Universe contest, in which he placed 3rd. This in turn led to a job in the chorus with the touring company of South Pacific. He appeared in several stage productions, and made his television debut in 1956. He signed a movie contract with MGM in the late 1950's, which led to a string of film roles.

        He was cast as the first cinematic James Bond in Dr. No in 1962. He won the role over Cary Grant, Rex Harrison, Trevor Howard, Patrick McGoohan and Roger Moore, even though Ian Fleming was quoted as saying, "Connery is not exactly what I envisioned" as the fictional British agent. However, the film was a success, which led to 3 more Bond films in the next 5 years. Tired of being identified only as 007, Connery quit the role after You Only Live Twice, in order to devote more time to his family and to golf. The next Bond film starred George Lazenby, but Connery was persuaded to return as Bond in Diamonds are Forever. With that role, he said he was finished as Bond, but he returned in 1983's Never Say Never Again, which was not an "official" Bond film, as it was produced by Kevin McClory instead of Eon.

        Connery has played many varied roles in films over the years, working with directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, John Huston and Brian De Palma. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1987, for his role as the Irish cop Malone in The Untouchables. He was also named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989. He continues to work steadily, despite suffering from various throat ailments. Connery is an avid golfer (he learned the game for 1964's Goldfinger) and in 1996 won the Lexus Challenge golf tournament with pro Hale Irwin.