The actor known to the world as the original James Bond has died. Sean Connery was best known for his role as the British spy in a series of films starting in the 1960s. He died Oct 31 at his home in the Bahamas.
Connery first starred as Agent 007 in the film “Dr. No” in 1962. He returned as James Bond six times with “From Russia with Love,” (1963), “Goldfinger” (1964), “Thunderball” (1965), “You Only Live Twice” (1967), “Diamonds are Forever” (1971) and “Never Say Never Again” (1983).
Connery maintained a leading man career that lasted five decades, something very few performers can attest to. Connery was an amazing performer who brought a certain panache to each of his characters.
One of my favorites was Michael Crichton’s “The Great Train Robbery” (1978), which paired him with the always reliable Donald Sutherland.
Sean Connery during the filming of the James Bond movie “You Only Live Twice” in 1967.
Connery had a great year in 1981. He headlined two big flicks. “Outland,” directed by Peter Hyams, was essentially a “High Noon” in outer space, and “Time Bandits” in which he played King Agamemnon.
In 1986, Connery portrayed Ramirez in the action-fantasy “Highlander.” He had to teach an immortal Christopher Lambert how to not lose his head. The film was accented with a great soundtrack by Queen.
Connery won his only Academy Award for his supporting role as Jimmy Malone in Brian De Palma’s “The Untouchables” in 1987. He followed that up in 1989 as Dr. Jones, Harrison Ford’s screen father, in the great “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
The ‘90s proved to be prominent years for Connery as well, especially 1990. That was a banner year because of “The Hunt for Red October,” which paired him with the very cool Alec Baldwin. “Rising Sun” (1992) with Wesley Snipes was also great since his character mobilized an attacker with just his thumb.
In 1996, Connery voiced Draco, one of the last dragons in existence, with Knight Dennis Quaid by his side in “Dragonheart.” He also co-starred that year in the only Michael Bay-directed movie I actually liked, “The Rock,” which paired him with the always watchable Nicolas Cage and the awesome Ed Harris.
Connery also has the dubious distinction of being named the “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine. At the time of printing, in 1989, he was 59.
He was subtle and likable in “Entrapment” opposite Catherine Zeta Jones in 1999 and part of the eclectic ensemble cast of the multi-layered romantic-comedy “Playing by Heart” (1998), as well as “The Avengers,” which paired him as a nemesis to heroes Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes the same year.
Connery was calm and subdued as the title character, a writer, in director Gus Van Sant’s “Finding Forrester” (2000). His last starring role was in the ensemble piece “The League of Extraordinary Gentleman” in 2003, directed by Stephen Norrington. He played adventurer Allan Quartermain.
Connery is survived by wife Micheline Roquebrune, 91, and son Jason, 57.
