The iconic James Bond star’s death was confirmed by his family on Saturday.
Connery’s son Jason told the BBC his father died peacefully in his sleep overnight while in the Bahamas, having been ‘unwell for some time’, and said his father ‘had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him’ when he died.
He said: ‘We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.
‘A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.’
The Scottish star’s legendary acting career spanned decades, but he was best known for being the first person to play 007.
Connery played the suave secret agent in seven films between 1982 and 1983 – Dr No, You Only Live Twice, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger and Never Say Never Again – and is considered to be the best actor to ever play Bond.
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Connery had originally been unsure about signing on to the franchise, but his time as Bond proved to be iconic – so iconic, that Bond author Ian Fleming wrote Connery’s Scottish heritage into canon.
However, his career was far from just Bond.
In 1988, five years after his last Bond film Never Say Never Again, Connery won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in The Untouchables.
Other classic roles included parts in Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, Murder On The Orient Express, Highlander, The Rock, Finding Forrester and The Hunt For Red October.
He was also offered two iconic roles – that of Gandalf in Lord Of The Rings, and the Architect in the Matrix – but turned them down because he didn’t understand the scripts.
In 1999, he received a lifetime achievement award with a Kennedy Center Honor, and the following year, he was knighted for his services to film and drama.
In addition to these honours, he was also named the Greatest Living Scot in a 2004 poll, and People magazine called him the Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 and the Sexiest Man Of The Century ten years later.
However, he wasn’t that overwhelmed by the Sexiest Man Alive title, saying: ‘Well, there aren’t many sexy dead men, are there?’
Connery played Bond in seven films
Connery was the first person to play Bond on the big screen
Connery announced his retirement from acting in 2006, but briefly returned to the world of film in 2012 when he voiced the title character in Sir Billi the Vet.
His close friend Sir Michael Caine previously said that his friend decided to retire ‘because he didn’t want to play small parts about old men and they weren’t offering him any young parts in romantic leads’.
Thomas Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge area on August 25 1930. The elder of two boys, he left school at an early age and took his first job as a milkman, complete with horse-drawn cart.
At 16 he enlisted in the Royal Navy but was discharged three years later on medical grounds after suffering with a stomach ulcer.
He has two tattoos from this time – one reading ‘Mum and Dad’ and another ‘Scotland Forever’.
The keen bodybuilder then undertook a variety of jobs, including a stint as a bricklayer, a lifeguard and an artist’s model for the Edinburgh College of Art. Under the name Thom Connery he was placed third in the tall man’s division (he was 6ft 2in) of the 1950 Mr Universe contest.
Connery is widely considered to be the greatest Bond
Never Say Never Again was his final outing as Bond
The stage came calling when a friend suggested he try out for a production of South Pacific. He got a part in the sailors’ chorus and so began his acting career.
He was also a gifted footballer. While touring with the musical, he was offered a contract by former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby, who saw him play in a friendly against a local side.
His first major acting credit came in 1957 British gangster film No Road Back, but it was Bond that launched Connery to stardom.
Author Ian Fleming was initially resistant to the idea of Connery playing his character, believing theScot was an ‘overgrown stuntman’ who was not refined enough for the role.
However, he was was later so impressed with his performance that he created a Scottish ancestry for the character in his subsequent books.
Connery quit the role after You Only Live Twice, frustrated by the repetitive plots, but was enticed back after his successor George Lazenby failed to make the grade.
Other famous roles included The Rock
After the franchise, Connery could by now command massive fees and gained a reputation as a ruthless contract negotiator – he hated the idea of being manipulated by the film industry and was regularly embroiled in lawsuits.
In 2009 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University for the achievements throughout his career.
As one of the most high-profile supporters of Scottish independence, many expected Connery to make an appearance on the campaign trail in the run-up to the historic vote on September 18 2014.
His words were used to galvanise support at the launch of the Yes campaign two years previously, when the star declared in a message: ‘The people of Scotland are the best guardians of their own future.’
Connery is survived by his wife Micheline
Connery won an Oscar in 1988
Connery is survived by his wife Micheline Roquebrune, who he married in 1975, and his son Jason Connery, from his first marriage to Diane Cilento.
Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli led the tributes today, saying: ‘We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.
‘He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words – “The name’s Bond… James Bond” — he revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent.
‘He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.’
Stars including Gary Lineker, Piers Morgan and Hugh Jackman also shared their tributes, while others recalled working with the star.
Sam Neill, who worked with Connery on The Hunt For Red October, tweeted: ‘Every day on set with #SeanConnery was an object lesson in how to act on screen. But all that charisma and power- that was utterly unique to Sean . RIP that great man, that great actor.’
And the legacy account for former Bond star Roger Moore, who died in 2017, issued a statement reading: ‘How infinitely sad to hear the news Sir Sean Connery has passed away. He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond. RIP.’
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Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also issued a tribute to ‘one of Scotland’s best loved sons’ on Twitter.
Sturgeon wrote: ‘I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.
‘Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world’s most accomplished actors.
‘Sean will be remembered best as James Bond – the classic 007 – but his roles were many and varied. He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot – his towering presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament and in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth.
‘He was a lifelong advocate of an independent Scotland and those of us who share that belief owe him a great debt of gratitude.
‘It was a privilege to have known Sean. When I last spoke to him it was clear even then that his health was failing – but the voice, the spirit and the passion that we all loved so well were still there.
‘I will miss him. Scotland will miss him. The world will miss him.
‘My thoughts and condolences are with Micheline, his sons Jason and Stefan, his brother Neil and all the family.’
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