Sean Connery, Scottish-born actor who rocketed to fame as James Bond and became one of the franchise’s most popular and enduring international stars, has died. He was 90.
Connery, long regarded as one of the best actors to have portrayed the iconic spy,
was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 and marked his 90th birthday in August.
His death was confirmed by his family, according to the BBC, which notes that the
actor died in his sleep while in the Bahamas.
It’s believed he had been unwell for some time.
His last acting role had been in Stephen Norrington’s “The League of Extraordinary Gentleman” (2003).
Connery was an audience favorite for more than 40 years and one of the screen’s most
reliable and distinctive leading men.
The actor was recently voted the best James Bond actor in an
August Radio Times poll in the U.K.
More than 14,000 voted and Connery claimed 56% of the vote.
In a statement on Saturday, Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara
Broccoli said Connery “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 revolutionized 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,” said the producers.
