Sean Connery, or to use his full name and title Sir Thomas Sean Connery has been polled “The Greatest Living Scot” and “Scotland’s Greatest Living National Treasure”. In 1989 he was called “The Sexiest Man Alive” by People Magazine and in 1999, at age 69, he was voted “Sexiest Man of the Century”. Today, he turns 84 and we’re celebrating by taking a moment to look at his Top 10 film performances.
Best known and loved for portraying the character James Bond and starring in 7 Bond films between 1962 and 1983 Sean Connery has had an incredible acting career. In 1988 he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the Untouchables. His film career also includes other classic films such as The Name of the Rose, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, Highlander, Murder on the Orient Express, Dragonheart, and The Rock.
He began his theatrical career as an extra in the chorus. At 16 he enlisted in the Navy and a stomach ulcer shortened his military career and forced him to return home to Edinburgh. He spent a lot of his free time bodybuilding – which was eventually what started his acting career when in 1950 he came third in the bodybuilding competition – Mr Universe. From bit parts, modelling and chorus appearances he was finally cast in a major role opposite Lana Turner in Another Time, Another Place (1958). Four years later he uttered the famous, unforgettable words, “Bond, James Bond”, and he skyrocketed into fame as the suave, sophisticated secret agent, 007.
Sean Connery supports literally hundreds of charities. One fact that very few people know, he donated $1 million dollars from his Bond film ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ (virtually his entire salary from that film) to the Scottish International Educational Trust which he co-founded. He has always said “The three areas that are very important to me are: education, culture and Scotland.”
