Connery, Sean, 1930-2020, Scottish film actor, b. Edinburgh, Scotland. Connery joined the Royal Navy in 1946, serving for three years until he was discharged on medical grounds. After working a number of low-level jobs, Connery began training as a bodybuilder, taking third place in the 1953 Mr. Universe contest, and also played amateur football (soccer). He was cast in a small role in a touring company of South Pacific in 1953, and landed his first film part working as an extra a year later. During the late ‘50s-early ‘60s, Connery continued to work in regional theater, television, and films in England. He was launched to international stardom when he was tapped to play James Bond in the film Dr. No (1962), appearing in the following four films in the series and two subsequent returns to the part. He defined the role of the suave secret agent who was irresistible to the female sex. Later film roles included The Man Who Would Be King (1975; directed byJohn Huston), Robin and Marian (1976, with Aubrey Heburn), and The Untouchables (1987, dir. Brian de Palma; Academy Award, Best Supporting Actor). Connery retired in 2006. Among his awards and honors were lifetime achievement awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (1998) and the American Film Institute (2006).
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