Sir Sean Connery took his last breath on Halloween night in a peaceful sleep in the Bahamas, aged 90.
The Scottish actor, best known for his portrayal as top British secret agent 007 James Bond, was “feeling unwell for some time,” according to the late actor’s son, Jason Connery. He went on to further say that it was “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.”
Michelle Roqueburne, the widow of the Oscar-winning actor, revealed on Sunday that he had been suffering from dementia in his final years. “He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss. It was no life for him. He was not able to express himself latterly.”
Remembering Sean Connery, cinematic icon
Connery’s acting career spanned over seven decades, and he managed to bag an Oscar for his work in the 1988 film “The Untouchables.” Being the first to portray the iconic character James Bond on screen, Connery appeared in seven of the Bond films which catapulted his career stardom. Some of his other memorable works include “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “The Rock,” “The Hunt for Red October” and “Highlander.”
The news of his death was followed by an outpour of condolences from celebrities within the industry as well as fans of the late actor. The current James Bond actor, Daniel Craig, called Connery “one of the true greats of cinema.”
“Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more,” the 52-year-old Craig added.
Dame Shirley Bassey, who contributed her voice to three of the Bond theme songs, paid her tribute saying: “I’m incredibly saddened to hear of Sean’s passing. My thoughts are with his family. He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond.”
A Scottish treasure, Connery was memorialized for his patriotism by Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot – his towering presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth. Sean was a lifelong advocate of an independent Scotland and those of us who share that belief owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Star Wars director George Lucas, who also created the Indiana Jones character, said Connery “left an indelible mark in cinematic history.”
He continued: “He will always hold a special place in my heart as Indy’s dad. With an air of intelligent authority and sly sense of comedic mischief, only someone like Sean Connery could render Indiana Jones immediately into boyish regret or relief through a stern fatherly chiding or rejoiceful hug. I’m thankful for having had the good fortune to have known and worked with him. My thoughts are with his family.”
The legendary James Bond
Sean Connery, born on August 25, 1930 in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh, Scotland had his first major role in 1957 British gangster movie “No Road Back.” The actor went on to play James Bond in the first ever Bond film, “Dr. No,” in 1962. He appeared in five more official films of the character with his final portrayal as Bond in the unofficial film “Never Say Never Again” in 1983.
Despite being the first actor to portray Bond, Connery is often regarded as being the best to ever portray the character in the franchise – beating all other renditions of 007 including David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and even the current actor Daniel Craig.
His publicist Nancy Seltzer informed that “there will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended.”
Sean Connery leaves his wife Micheline Roqueburne and sons Jason and Stephane Connery.
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