Ian Fleming’s novels were literary sensations by 1961, but Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman found major studios unenthusiastic about starting a James Bond series because 007 was ‘too blatantly sexual’ and ‘too British’. UA’s chief Arthur Krim eventually allocated a meager $1 million budget for Doctor No, the first in a series of at least three, and the search for James Bond begun.
Initially director Terence Young approached Cary Grant, but he was only willing to star in one, and the next choice James Mason would only do two, so they were forced to look for a new star. Of the five who were given screen-tests, by far the best was Sean Connery.
Thomas Sean Connery was born on August 25th 1930 in Edinburgh, and was brought up in a life of poverty. After leaving school aged 13 he had many jobs, including milkman, coffin-polisher, and builder, and in between he served for three years in the navy. In 1950 Connery was in London to represent Scotland in a Mr. Universe contest, when a fellow-competitor suggested he auditioned for the chorus in South Pacific. Earning $35 a week, Connery said ‘his head turned at all that easy money’ and he decided to turn down an offer of becoming a professional footballer in order to pursue a career in show business.
Connery’s lucky break was getting the lead role in the BBC programme ‘Requiem for a Heavyweight’. He put in an excellent performance, and more TV roles followed before he was suggested for the movie ‘No Road Back’ which led to several other important roles. In 1957 he signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and had major parts in several films including ‘Darby O’Gill and the Little People’ in which he was spotted by Cubby Broccoli’s wife, Dana. After leaving his contract with 20th Century Fox, Connery was one of several people suggested by the Express as being ideal to play James Bond. Cubby Broccoli agreed after seeing Broccoli’s screen test.
As James Bond, Connery had a great physical presence on screen and he was an instant hit in Dr No (1962) and he followed this up with massive successes in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice. However, during YOLT Connery became infuriated by the Paparazzi and announced during filming that he would be leaving James Bond. However, a world record $1.25m tempted him back for Diamonds Are Forever. In 1983 he made a shock return in Kevin McClory’s appropriately-named Thunderball-remake, Never Say Never Again where although at 63 he looked far too old, he still put in a great performance. Connery’s Bond was always gritty and determined, but still an icon for suaveness and great at the one-liners. The definitive Bond is still the best.
Never Say Never Again was part of a rebirth for the older Connery who had previously found a few major non-Bond roles such as The Man Who Would Be King and The Great Train Robbery, but suffered from being typecast at 007. In the 80s and 90s he starred in such films as Highlander, The Untouchables (for which he won an Oscar) Hunt For Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Even today aged 72, Connery remains a respected actor in the Hollywood community, with his most recent role being "Finding Forester" in 2000.
Aged 60, Connery was voted ‘The sexiest man in the world’. His first marriage to Australian Actress Diane Cilento ended in divorce, but Sean remains happily married to Micheline who he met when they both won respective golf tournaments. Connery was knighted on July 5th 2000, and can now go by the name of Sir Sean.
