Scottish actor-producer Sean Connery passed away Saturday, October 31 on Halloween at age 90. His full name was Sir Thomas Sean Connery born on August 25, 1930. The star was best known for his role in James Bond 007 films, The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones The Last Crusade and The Rock the only film he starred in alongside Nicolas Cage. The two actors were very close friends. Nicolas considered Sean his mentor in acting.
Cage expressed his condolences on the Nicolas Cage Lovers fan page on Facebook stating, “I admired Sean so much. I was the happiest when I was working with him; his wisdom, humbleness and extreme honesty has guided me ever since I met him. He was my friend and the greatest teacher in cinema. The first movie star to lead the way in combining drama, action-adventure and comedy. He did it all effortlessly and with dignity. Maestro, you will be missed.”
-Nicolas Cage-
TMZ reports that Sean died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family but the cause of death was undisclosed.
Connery rose to fame and became an enormous star in 1962 as Dr. No but there were some challenges. The James Bond creator Ian Fleming wanted someone suave like Cary Grant. He relented and said Connery was a great choice for the role.
Sean starred in 7 Bond films including, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds are Forever, and Never Say Never Again. Arguably, he was known as the “Best James Bond Ever” and the Sexiest Man Alive. He once finished third in a Mr. Universe contest back in 1953.
Connery also played an Irish cop in The Untouchables. He won 2 BAFTA awards and 3 Golden Globes. He was knighted by the Queen in 2000.
While Sean was filming Never Say Never Again he took martial arts classes with another famous actor who was an instructor at the time, Steven Seagal; who broke Connery’s wrist. It never got treated because it wasn’t known that it was really broken. But it was.
He is survived by his second wife Micheline Roquebrune and his two sons Jason Connery and Stephane. A private funeral and memorial will be held once COVID ends.
Here’s a clip from the film The Rock on YouTube.
RIP Sean Connery. There are very few Hollywood legends of your caliber. Your fans and Hollywood will miss you. You were an amazing actor.