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Connery was the first 'official' actor to play Bond in films. Most consider him the best Bond ever. When Connery was chosen for the role for James Bond a lot of people did not believe that he could be James Bond (including Ian Fleming!) but with the tutelage of director Terence Young, Connery made a credible "gentleman spy" (as the movie posters described him). The original choice for Bond was Ian Fleming's cousin, Christopher Lee who played Scaramanga in The Man With the Golden Gun. Other actors, including David Niven, Patrick Magoohan, James Mason and Stewart Granger, were also considered for the role.

Appears in:

• Dr. No
• From Russia with Love
• Goldfinger
• Thunderball
• You Only Live Twice
• Diamonds Are Forever
• Never Say Never Again

Biography:

Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on August 25, 1930. His father was a milkman and they lived in a very poor area. He was a bodybuilder and was chosen to play Bond in 1962's Dr. No after Cary Grant was approached, and would only commit to one film--not a series. The film was a success and led to 4 more Bond films during the next 5 years. Tired of being identified only as 007 (and angry that some stars of Bond imitations were making more money than he was!), Connery quit after You Only Live Twice, though he was lured back for one more film, Diamonds Are Forever, for a record sum of money (which he then donated to a Scottish charity). However, he returned 12 years later as both producer and star in the Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again. Connery was also in 2005's video game From Russia With Love as the voice and appearance of James Bond.


Classic Line:

• Honey Ryder: "Looking for shells?"
• Bond: "No, I'm just looking."
• -- From Dr. No

Trivia:

• Connery was the only Bond to be with all of the 00 Agents in Thunderball
• Steven Spielberg has said that Connery is the only genuine movie star left.
• Kim Basinger said of Connery: "Women love Sean. Sean loves golf!"

Honors:

• Connery earned an Oscar in 1988 for his role as Jimmy Malone in The Untouchables. He was also chosen "The Sexiest Man Alive" by "People" Magazine in 1989. Among his other films are The Hill, Marnie, The Wind and the Lion, The Man Who Would Be King, Murder on the Orient Express, Robin and Marian, The Great Train Robbery, Outland, Time Bandits, Highlander, The Name of the Rose, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, Russia House, The Rock, First Knight, Entrapment and Finding Forrester. Connery says he has retired from film acting (though we'll see). His last film, currently, is "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

Life After Bond:

This was his public statement turning down returning in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull:

• "I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement. I thought long and hard about it and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with Steven and George, and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun. I, do however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator! This is a remarkable cast, and I can only say, "Break a leg, everyone". I'll see you on May 22, 2008, at the theater!"