By Hannah DiPilato
Actor and producer Sean Connery, most known for his iconic role as James Bond, has died at age 90. Sir Thomas Sean Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2000 due to his international fame as the spy 007.
His son, Jason Connery, said he had been “unwell for some time” and passed peacefully in his sleep at home.
“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,” said Jason Connery.
Sir Sean was surrounded by family in Nassau when he passed. According to Connery’s publicist, Nancy Seltzer, there will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial service once the pandemic is over.
Sir Sean Connery leaves behind his wife Micheline and his two sons, Jason and Stephane.
Connery’s first major film appearance was No Road Back, the British crime film from 1957. He began his career as James Bond in 1962 with Dr. No, the movie that began the James Bond saga. Since then, he acted as the famous character in seven total Bond films. In 1983 he concluded his time as James Bond in Never Say Never Again.
Although his most prominent role was performing as James Bond, he has also taken on major roles in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Untouchables and The Hunt for Red October, showing notable range as an actor.
Connery was also a part of Murder on the Orient Express’s star-studded cast, which premiered in 1974. In 1988, he won an Oscar for best-supporting actor for his role as Jim Malone in The Untouchables.
The current James Bond, Daniel Craig, said Connery was “one of the true greats of cinema.” He also added that he hopes there’s a golf course wherever Connery is, because of the legend’s love for golf.
“He defined an era and a style. The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in megawatts; he helped create the modern blockbuster,” said Craig.
The official 007 Twitter account tweeted about the passing of Connery. “Sir Sean Connery has died at the age of 90,” the tweet said. “He was the first actor to play James Bond on the big screen in Dr. No in 1962, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever followed.”
The producers of James Bond, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, also gave a statement after Connery’s death. “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,’” said the producers.
“He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him,” they continued.”
Sir Thomas Sean Connery has had an incredibly successful career over his 90 years of life. His death will be a tremendous loss to the film industry, but he will never be forgotten for all of the iconic roles he embodied throughout his life.
