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A man of many talents

We all celebrate Sean Connery as the actor who brought a literary icon to life, but who knew he could do the same for a song? His 1998 recording of ‘In My Life’, in tribute to legendary Beatles producer George Martin, shows a different use of that silky Scottish brogue.

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A man of clear values

Connery is reported to have turned down $10 million per film, plus 15% of box office, to play Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings series. Producers were desperate to see him take the role, but he stuck to his guns: “I never understood it. I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don't understand it.” Principles over profit. We salute Sir Sean.

Connery was not Fleming’s choice

007’s creator, Ian Fleming, didn’t want Connery for the first Bond film, Dr No. He reportedly said of Connery: “I’m looking for Commander Bond and not an overgrown stuntman.” Fleming recognised his error after the successful premiere of Dr No, and was so impressed with Connery’s performance that he even wrote in a Scottish heritage for Bond in later novels.

Model, milkman, moviestar

As a young man, ‘Thomas’ Sean Connery tried his hand at everything from nude modeling to local milkman. He delivered milk to the iconic Fettes College - a private school in Edinburgh, Scotland, which Fleming wrote into 007’s own backstory in the James Bond novels.

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Nearly a sports superstar too

When Sir Matt Busby, the legendary Manchester United manager who led the club to glory in the 50s and 60s, was scouting a local game in the early 1950s, he was so impressed with young Sean Connery that he offered him a contract on the spot. "I really wanted to accept because I loved football," recalled Connery "but I decided to become an actor and it turned out to be one of my more intelligent moves."

Bond's favourite films?

Although Connery’s favourite Bond film was From Russia with Love, he cited a very different film as his favourite film. "If I had to name one favorite film, it would be The Man Who Would Be King, which I made with Michael Caine, it was a tremendous film to make."

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