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Sean Connery:
James Bond actor dies aged 90





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

The Scottish actor was best known for his portrayal of
James Bond, being the first to bring the role to the big
screen and appearing in seven of the spy thrillers.

Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep, while in the Bahamas,
having been "unwell for some time", his son said.

His acting career spanned five decades and he won an Oscar
in 1988 for his role in The Untouchables.

Sir Sean's other films included The Hunt for Red October,
Highlander, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Rock.





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

He said: "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.

"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, from Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, first played
James Bond in Dr No in 1962 and went on to appear in five
other official films - and the unofficial Never Say Never Again
in 1983.

He was largely regarded as being the best actor to have
played 007 in the long-running franchise, often being named
as such in polls.


A 20th Century movie icon


Connery made the character his own, blending ruthlessness
with sardonic wit. Many critics didn't like it and some of the
reviews were scathing. But the public did not agree.

The action scenes, sex and exotic locations
were a winning formula.

In truth, his Bond is now a museum piece; the portrayal of
women impossibly dated. The action scenes are still thrilling,
but the sex too often bordered on the non-consensual.

Thankfully, its been a while since 007 slapped a woman on
the backside and forced a kiss. But Connery's performance
was of its time, enjoyed by millions of both sexes and gave
the silver screen a 20th Century icon.






He was knighted by the Queen at Holyrood Palace in 2000.
In August, he celebrated his 90th birthday.

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said
they were "devastated by the news" of his death.

They said: "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."


Just the seven as 007 - Connery's Bond movies


Dr No (1962)
From Russia with Love (1963)
Goldfinger (1964)
Thunderball (1965)
You Only Live Twice (1967)
Diamonds are Forever (1971)
Never Say Never Again (1983)



Sir Sean was a long-time supporter of Scottish independence,
saying in interviews in the run-up to the 2014 referendum
that he might return from his Bahamas home to live in Scotland
if it voted to break away from the rest of the UK.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "I was heartbroken
to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.
Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.

"Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through
talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon
and one of the world's most accomplished actors. Sean will be
remembered best as James Bond - the classic 007 - but his roles
were many and varied.

"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."



The actor and his wife Micheline Roquebrune attended
the opening of the first Scottish Parliament in 1999



Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland, who was close
friends with Sir Sean, described him as "the world's greatest Scot,
the last of the real Hollywood stars, the definitive Bond".

He said: "Sean Connery was all of these things but much more.
He was also a staunch patriot, a deep thinker and outstanding
human being.

He added: "'Scotland Forever' wasn't just tattooed on his forearm
but was imprinted on his soul."