Movie Notes

Scottish star Sean Connery, the first James Bond actor, dies at 90

by Craig Takeuchi on October 31st, 2020 at 4:00 PM
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      The Scottish actor who gained international stardom for portraying the dashing Agent 007 and establishing an Oscar-winning career has died.

      Connery, who was born in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, in Scotland on 25 August 25, 1930, died in his sleep the Bahamas after being unwell for some time, according to BBC News. He was 90 years old.

      Connery was the first actor to portray the character of James Bond in film in the screen adaptation of Dr. No from an Ian Fleming novel in 1962 by Eon Productions (the company of Canadian Harry Saltzman and American Albert R. Broccoli). He continued on in the role in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds Are Forever.

      Although he had left the Bond franchise with plans to return, he reprised the role in 1983’s Never Say Never Again, which was one of two films not part of the Eon series of Bond films.

      Sean Connery was the first actor to portray the character of James Bond on screen.

      Connery established a successful Hollywood career, including starring in films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Hunt for Red October, and Finding Forrester.

      In 1988, he won a best supporting actor award at the Oscars for his role in The Untouchables.

      Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli issued a statement about Connery’s death: “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.”

      Celebrities such as Daniel Craig, who portrays the current Bond; Shirley Bassey, who sang three Bond theme songs including Goldfinger; and the family of Roger Moore (who died in 2017 and portrayed Bond in seven films) also expressed their condolences.

       

       
       
       
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      A true screen legend #SeanConnery #RIP

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      Craig Takeuchi

      @Cinecraig

      The urban beastie otherwise known as Craig Takeuchi is a UBC BA (art history/film studies) and MFA (Creative Writing program, with a screenplay thesis) graduate who has had his fiction and non-fiction work published in numerous local and national publications. He's covered a wide range of topics...

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