Sean Connery dies in his sleep aged 90 after being 'unwell for some time' (2024)

Actor Sir Sean Connery has died at the age of 90, his family has said.

The Scottish movie legend shot to international stardom as the suave and sophisticated British agent James Bond and went on to dominate the silver screen for four decades.

Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas after being "unwell for some time", his son Jason told the BBC.

Mr Connery said his father "had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him" when he died overnight in Nassau.

"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," he said.

"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."

Sir Sean was born Thomas Sean Connery in August 25, 1930, in Edinburgh slums and worked as a coffin polisher, milkman and lifeguard before his bodybuilding hobby helped launch an acting career that made him one of the world's biggest stars.

He will be remembered first as British agent 007, the character created by novelist Ian Fleming and immortalised by Sir Sean in films starting with Dr. No in 1962.

As Bond, his debonair manner and wry humour in foiling flamboyant villains and cavorting with beautiful women belied a darker, violent edge, and he crafted a depth of character that set the standard for those who followed him in the role.

He would introduce himself in the movies with the signature line, "Bond — James Bond."

But Sir Sean was unhappy being defined by the role and once said he "hated that damned James Bond".

The most recent man to take up the Bond mantle, Daniel Craig, who has also wrestled with his long run in the role, mourned "the passing of one of the true greats of cinema".

"Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style," Craig wrote in a statement.

"The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster. He will continue to influence actors and filmmakers alike for years to come.

"My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course."

Not just Bond

Sir Sean played a series of noteworthy roles besides Bond, including the mentor figure in Highlander, Harrison Ford's father in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and a Russian submarine captain in Hunt for Red October.

One of his co-stars in that 1990 film, Sam Neill, called him a "great man" and "great actor".

"Every day on set with Sean Connery was an object lesson in how to act on screen," he tweeted.

"But all that charisma and power — that was utterly unique to Sean."

Sir Sean won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of a tough Chicago cop in 1987's The Untouchables.

He was 59 when People magazine declared him the "sexiest man alive" in 1989.

Sir Sean was an ardent supporter of Scotland's independence and had the words "Scotland Forever" tattooed on his arm while serving in the Royal Navy.

When he was knighted for his services to film drama at the age of 69 by Queen Elizabeth in 2000 at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, he wore full Scottish dress including the green-and-black plaid kilt of his mother's MacLeod clan.

He was also chosen for a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "heartbroken" at the news and said independence advocates "owe him a debt of gratitude".

"Our nation today mourns one of her best-loved sons," she said.

"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."

Criticism for views on domestic violence

In 1962, Sir Sean married actress Diane Cilento, and they had a son, Jason, who also became an actor.

Their union ended in 1974, but its impact has lasted long after.

Cilento had alleged Connery physically abused her.

In 1965, he told Playboy magazine that he did not find "anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman — although I don't recommend doing it in the same way that you'd hit a man. An openhanded slap is justified, if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning".

When Barbara Walters brought up those remarks in a 1987 interview, he said his opinion hadn't changed because "sometimes women just won't leave things alone".

He was widely criticised, but still received numerous honours, including being chosen as commander (the same rank as Bond) of France's Order of Arts and Literature and a Kennedy Center honoree in 1999.

The following year Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed him a British knight, for services to film drama.

Early career

Sir Sean had got his first big break singing and dancing to There is Nothing Like a Dame in South Pacific on the London stage and in a road production before going on to act in repertory, television and B movies.

He went to Hollywood for two early films, Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People and Tarzan's Greatest Adventure.

When he decided to become an actor, he was told that Thomas Sean Connery would not fit on a theatre marquee, so he dropped his first name.

Then came the audition that changed his life.

American producers Albert "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had bought the film rights to a string of post-World War II spy adventure novels by Ian Fleming.

Sir Sean was not their first choice for Dr No.

The producers had looked to Cary Grant, but decided they wanted an actor who would commit to a series.

The producers also realised they could not afford a big-name star because United Artists had limited their film budget to $1 million a picture, so they started interviewing more obscure British performers.

Among them was the 188cm Sir Sean.

Without a screen test, Mr Broccoli and Mr Saltzman chose the actor, citing his "dark, cruel good looks," a perfect match for the way Fleming described Bond.

It is the way many will always remember Bond.

ABC/wires