Sir Sean Connery (August 25, 1930 – October 31, 2020), born Thomas Sean Connery, was an Oscar winning Scottish actor who starred in many films and is best known as the original cinematic James Bond.
Connery was known for his trademark Scottish accent and, though considerably older than more conventional sex symbols, was repeatedly mentioned as one of the most attractive men alive. Aside from the role as MI6 agent 007, he appeared in various acclaimed and/or rather popular films such as The Hill, The Longest Day, The Offence, The Man Who Would Be King, The Wind and the Lion, Robin and Marion, A Bridge Too Far, The Untouchables, The Russia House, The Hunt for Red October, Philip Kaufman's Rising Sun, The Rock, Entrapment, Finding Forrester and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He has worked with the likes of filmmakers such as Gus Van Sant, Michael Bay, Richard Fleischer, Peter Hyams, Alfred Hitchcock and John Boorman.
In 1989, Connery was cast as Henry Walton Jones, Sr. in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade because George Lucas and Steven Spielberg thought the only man who could play Indiana Jones' father was James Bond. Connery was in fact only 12 years older than his on-screen son, Harrison Ford.[1]
Although he had expressed some interest in being part of a sequel,[2] by the time the film was ready to begin production, Connery had, in 2005, retired from acting, and thus declined an invitation to reprise the role of Dr. Jones, Sr. in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull:
- "I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and hard about it and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with Steven and George, and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun. I, do however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator! This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, 'Break a leg, everyone.' I'll see you on May 22, 2008, at the theater!"
- ―Sean Connery in 2007[src]
George Lucas later declared that Connery's absence "turned out better", because Crystal Skull´s story "didn't work in a way he could be in the whole movie".[3]
Biography[]
Connery was born to parents Joseph Connery and Euphamia 'Effie' MacLean in Fountainbridge (Edinburgh), Scotland. After leaving school, he joined the Royal Navy but was later discharged on medical grounds. Before acting, he held a variety of jobs including body building and lifeguarding before going to the stage in the 1950's.
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Behind the Trilogy: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- ↑ Indiana Jones: Behind the Adventure
- ↑ George Lucas Hails Maverick Filmmakers, Teases Indy 4
