Sean Connery is a British actor who holds the distinction of being the first to play the role of James Bond.
He was born on August 25, 1930 in Edinburgh. His audition for a stage production of South Pacific introduced him to acting. He appeared in a BBC presentation of Anna Karenina in 1961, and also in the 1959 Disney film Darby O’Gille and the Little People.
However, his breakthrough role was when he was cast as James Bond in the first film, Dr. No, released in 1962. He was selected after all other Bond aspirants were turned down; the low budget for the film compelled the producers to choose an unknown like Connery. The success of the first film led him to reprise the role in other James Bond films: 1963’s From Russia with Love, 1964’s Goldfinger, 1965’s Thunderball, 1967’s You Only Live Twice, and 1971’s Diamonds are Forever. He also appeared in an unofficial James Bond movie, 1983’s Never Say Never Again. Connery quit the role in 1967, fearing that he will be typecast as James Bond, and disappointed with repetitive plots and the lack of character development.
Connery maintained a successful career after James Bond. He appeared in 1974’s Murder on the Orient Express and 1977’s A Bridge Too Far. He gained acclaim in the 1975 film The Wind and the Lion.
In 1986, Sean Connery won a BAFTA Award for his portrayal in the film The Name of the Rose. In 1987, his role in The Untouchables won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Later films included Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, released in 1989; The Hunt for Red October, released in 1990; Entrapment, released in 1999; Finding Forrester, released in 2000; and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, released in 2003.
On his 75th birthday, in 2005, Connery announced that he is retiring from acting, disillusioned with the way producers work nowadays. He, however, returned to voice acting, for the animated short “Sir Billi the Vet,” slated for a 2008 release.
