Interviewee: Sean Connery
Interviewer: Jimmy Carter
Date: August 10, 2007

To most anyone, Sir Sean Connery will always be James Bond. This Scotsman is the first ever actor who portrayed the Secret Agent 007 from Ian Fleming’s novels.

Sean Connery effectively instilled a distinct suaveness to the well-known character when he took on the role of the super spy in Dr. No in 1962. It was followed by Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds are Forever, after which he vowed “never again” to do more Bond parts. Eventually he went back on his word and reprised his iconic character in 1983 with the aptly titled blockbuster, Never Say Never Again.

In spite of the series’ financial ramifications, Sean Connery had been wary of being typecast, intermittently digressing — as much as fans would permit — from his popular role. He appeared in such films as Murder on the Orient Express, The Man Who Would Be King and The Wind and the Lion.

It was not until 1987 though when Sean Connery achieved his first Academy Award for his supporting role in Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables. Two years later, Connery’s fame further took to new heights when Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where he played as the lead character’s father, proved to be a box office hit.

At the turn of the 90s, his roles in The Hunt for Red October and Medicine Man corroborated his enduring superstar status. Connery also played as a former police captain in the 1993 police thriller Rising Sun. He also played roles in the medieval movies First Knight and Dragonheart, as well as making a cameo in 1991’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. The Rock, Entrapment and The Avengers all solidified his hold on the latter part of the decade.

His performance in 2000’s Finding Forrester gained the acclaim of critics, while 2003’s superhero romp The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen reintroduced him to a younger generation.

In 1950, Sean Connery placed third in that year’s Mr. Universe competition. His appeal has longevity; pushing 60, Connery was crowned Sexiest Man Alive by People in 1989.