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Mr. Universe
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Intrigued by the world of bodybuilding, Connery buffed himself up and entered the Mr. Universe competition in 1950. Though he had an impressive physique, Connery couldn’t compete with the bulkier American bodybuilders. It was during a 1953 bodybuilding competition that he heard about a casting call for a stage production of “South Pacific”, eventually scoring a role as a chorus boy before moving up the cast ranks in the travelling show.
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Acting Debut
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After spending time as a milk delivery man, a stint in the Royal Navy, and odd jobs as a lifeguard, truck driver and artist’s model, at the age of 24, Sean Connery made his acting debut in 1954. His first appearance was as an uncredited role in the Errol Flynn movie “Let’s Make Up”. Connery would land small roles in TV movies and series for the next five years.
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The Luck Of The Irish
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It wasn’t until 1959 that Connery landed a more prominent role. On contract to 20th Century Fox, Connery was loaned out to Disney for 1959’s musical fantasy “Darby O’Gill And The Little People”. A musical, Connery’s vocals were dubbed though he later recorded the song “Pretty Irish Girl” in 1992 for a Disney soundtrack compilation. The film was warmly received though Connery was described as “merely tall, dark, and handsome” in a 1959 New York Times review.
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Just Call Him Bond, James Bond
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The Scottish actor became a worldwide phenomenon in 1962 when he stepped into the role of James Bond in “Dr. No”. Appearing as 007 in seven films, Connery’s brogue and swagger cemented him as one cinema’s most-dashing leading men.
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‘The Longest Day’
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In 1962, the same year he became Bond, Connery was part of the A-list ensemble cast of the WWII movie “The Longest Day” which chronicled the events of D-Day from the Allied and German points of view. Working alongside all-stars John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Eddie Albert Peter Lawford, Rod Steiger, George Segal, Robert Wagner and Paul Anka, Connery played an Army Private sent into battle.
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Fighting Against Typecasting
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With successful 007 films under his belt, Connery was worried he’d be typecast if he didn’t vary his filmography. Enter Alfred Hitchcock. Connery was cast opposite Tippi Hedren in the thriller “Marnie”, which opened in theatres the same year as “Goldfinger”.
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Bye Bye Bond
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After five outings as 007, Connery waved goodbye to James Bond. Connery quit the starmaking role because he felt he wasn’t being fairly compensated by the by the million dollar franchise. Producers responded by replacing him with Australian star George Lazenby for “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” in 1969. Connery would make his Bond comeback in 1971 with a $1.25 million payout and a two-picture Bond deal. He ultimately donated his paycheque to the Scottish trust fund he founded.
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‘Zardoz’
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Perhaps the most bizarre project in his career is the 1974 post-apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy “Zardoz” which features a mankini-clad mustachioed Connery as Zed, a man trained to kill. A huge commercial failure, “Zardoz” received scathing reviews with audience members exiting the theatres to warn those in line for the next showing to save their money. Unavailable on VHS until 1984, “Zardoz” became a cult favourite thanks to late-night TV showings and modern critical re-evaluation praising the provocative and ambitious subject matter.
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Bond Vs. Bond
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It was a battle of the Bonds in 1983 with rival 007 productions being released. “Octopussy” featuring Roger Moore in his sixth outing as Bond and Connery’s return to the role after a 12-year hiatus in “Never Say Never Again” hit theatres with the press manufacturing a competition between the two actors who had been friends for decades.
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Oscar Win
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In 1988, Connery landed an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Untouchables”. The nomination was his first and only nod from the Academy. The audience got to their feet as an uncharacteristically beaming Connery took to the stage to accept the honour.
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Joining 'Jones'
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Steven Spielberg cast Connery as Indiana Jones’ father, Henry Jones Sr., in “Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade”. Making over $474 million at the box office, the adventure film is the highest-grossing film of Connery’s career.
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Blockbuster Connery
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With his Bond days behind him, Connery continued his blockbuster action career throughout the 1990s appearing in movies like “The Hunt For Red October”, “Entrapment”, “First Knight” and “The Rock” among others
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Sir Sean Connery
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The Scotsman was nominated for knighthood in both 1997 and 1998 but was denied due to his outspoken support of Scottish Independence and because he was a member of the Scottish National Party. Despite his beliefs, his knighthood was granted in 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the arts.
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Saying No To Gandalf
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Director Peter Jackson offered Connery the role of Gandalf in “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy but the actor turned down the role over the 18-month shoot in New Zealand and because he reportedly didn’t “get” the fantasy. The decision reportedly cost him around $400 million in revenue earnings based on box office percentages.
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Calling It Quits
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After an abysmal time making “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”, Connery decided it was time to retire from acting. “It was a nightmare,” he told The Times. “The experience had a great influence on me. It made me think about showbiz. I get fed up dealing with idiots.” The 2003 film would be Connery’s last, though he has made an exception for select voiceover work in the following years.
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Life In Retirement
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Shortly after his retirement, Connery was honoured with the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Scottish star has been keeping a low profile in his later years. A tennis fan, Connery has often been spotted in the stands at the U.S. Open over the years. Owning several homes in Scotland and Spain, Connery’s home base is on New Providence Island in the Bahamas. In a rare interview in 2019, Connery spoke of surviving Hurricane Dorian’s wrath and escaping any intense damage to his property.
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