Biographic - Sunday August 22, 2010 Comic Strip Licensing and Permissions

Transcript

The creator of James Bond, author Ian Fleming, was initially concerned that Sean Connery, a factory worker's son from the tenement slums of Scotland, was too uncouth to play his sophisticated super spy. Despite those misgivings, the role was awarded to the rough-hewn scot... even though his tattoos had to be hidden with makeup before filming. "Dr. No!" was released in 1962, and the res is movie legend. Connery's rugged good looks and commanding physical presence, combined with a lethal mix of ruthlessness and charm, brought the suave anti-hero to life. The film inspired a cult of global "Bondmania" that continuers to this day... and rocketed Sean Connery to stardom. Thomas Sean Connery was born on Aug. 25, 1930, in a tough working-class area of Edinburgh, Scotland. "Big Tam" left school at 13 to take a job driving a horse-drawn milk wagon. At 15, he joined the Navy, but was discharged because of ulcers. He worked a number of menial jobs while pursuing his hobby of bodybuilding. In London for the "Mr. Universe" contest, he auditioned for the chorus in a production of "South Pcific" - and was astonished when he landed the role! He later joined a repertory company and began to work hard to lose his thick Scottish brogue and learn his craft. Soon, the TV offers were flooding in. He made his movie debut in 1957 in "No Road Back" and, five years later, landed the role that would make him a star - as superspy James Bond in "Dr. No." Connery went on to play agent 007 in classics such as "From Russia with Love," "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball." But by the early 1970's, he was eager to leave the role behind him and explore his acting range. Over the next few years, in movies as diverse as "the First Great Train Robbery," "Robin and Marian," "The Man Who Would Be King," and "Zardoz," he chipped away at the Bond persona and revealed himself as an accomplished actor. After his memorable portrayal of a veteran cop in 1987's "the Untouchables" earned him an Academy Award, Sean went on to star in such box office smashes as "the Presidio," "the Hunt For Red October," and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." "The Hunt For Red October" and "The Rock" Knighted in 2000, voted "The greatest living scot," movie legend Sir Sean Connery celebrates his 80th birthday on August 25.

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