12 Things You Dont Know About the Greatest 007 Ever

To millions, he’s the only true James Bond. To many, he will forever be Indiana Jones’ gruff, mumbling, fearless archeologist dad. But who can ever forget him as the intense, freedom-yearning commander of the Soviet submarine Red October? Or as the “Man Who Would Be King”? But did you know he also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's 1964 masterpiece “Marnie,” Monty Python’s silly “Time Bandits,” and Agatha Christie’s classic “Murder on the Orient Express”? A case can be made he was at his greatest as a strutting Arab chieftain who defied Theodore Roosevelt and the U.S. Marines while wooing Candice Bergman in 1981’s “The Wind and the Lion.” But for true believers, his most compelling role will always be as reclusive author William Forrester – based on the Catcher in the Rye’s enigmatic J. D. Salinger – in 2000’s “Finding Forrester.”

Who are we talking about?

Oscar-winning actor Sean Connery, of course. Believe it or not, he comes from the humblest of beginnings. Thomas “Tommy” Sean Connery was born on August 25, 1930, in Fountainbridge, a low-income neighborhood of Edinburgh, Scotland. His mom, Euphamia “Effie” Maclean McBain Connery, was a cleaning lady. His dad, Joseph, was a truck driver. His little brother, Neil, became a wall plasterer. The two boys had the most modest of upbringings in a tenement on "the street of a thousand smells" – a neighborhood permeated with the fragrance of local breweries and a rubber mill. Joe brought home only a few shillings a week – which he often squandered on scotch and cards.

Growing up on the streets

As a newborn, Sean slept in a dresser drawer since Joe and Effie couldn't afford a crib. He started smoking at age 9, and grew up fighting on the streets, playing tag or soccer and ripping his knickers, his knee pants -- which his mom could not afford to replace and constantly patched. He attended blue-collar Tollcross Elementary School where he stunned teachers with his lightning-quick mathematical abilities. A voracious reader, he devoured every comic book he could find and made up his own stories of aliens and villains – often playing hooky from school and sneaking into Blue Halls, the local movie house. As he entered adolescence, he was quickly big for his age. Friends began calling him "Big Tam" and were in awe of his tough street smarts.

A leprechaun

His first movie was 1955’s “Lilacs In The Spring,” a musical drama headlining swashbuckling silent-film legend Errol Flynn. However, Connery’s part was so small that he wasn’t even listed in the credits. Three long years later, he got his first big break, opposite the dazzling Lana Turner in “Another Time, Another Place.” But to pay the bills, he still had to deliver milk, shovel coal, polish caskets and pose for art classes – while appearing in forgettable films such as “Tarzan's Greatest Adventure.” His first starring role was in the 1959 Walt Disney leprechaun film, “Darby O'Gill and the Little People,” in which he actually sang. He admits that he was never again asked to sing in any film.

Not the first choice

His remarkable acting in such an unremarkable film caught the attention of Dana Broccoli, wife of Hollywood Director Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. She was impressed with his beefcake physique and strong profile. Reluctantly, her husband went to see Disney flick and saw a flash of brilliance at the climax in Connery’s fistfight with a village bully. Broccoli was growing frustrated, trying to bring author Ian Fleming’s bestselling James Bond novels to the screen – particularly in finding the right leading man to portray suave Agent 007. The role had been turned down by the best – including Cary Grant, David Niven, James Mason, Richard Burton, Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood.

A poll favorite...or not...

“Dr. No” was hugely successful and had immediate sequels: “From Russia with Love” in 1963, “Goldfinger” in 1964, “Thunderball” in 1965, “You Only Live Twice” in 1967, then 1971's “Diamonds Are Forever.” Sly, sexy and confident, Connery became the embodiment of 007. Little did the movie public know that he was going bald and had to wear a toupee to sustain the Bond image. He was voted People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 and the Best British Actor of all time in a February 2005 Sky TV poll. According to another poll by British film magazine Empire, he created the worst Irish accent in the history of cinema in 1987’s crime movie “The Untouchables.”

Seagal's victim

Connery went on to other great roles: “The Man Who Would Be King” (1975), “Robin and Marian” (1976), “The Great Train Robbery” (1979) and “The Name of the Rose” (1986) to name a few. Despite his unfortunate attempt at an Irish accent, he won an Oscar as a Chicago cop doggedly trailing Al Capone in “The Untouchables.” To come back one more time as James Bond in 1983’s “Never Say Never Again,” he was paid millions, far from the $16,000 he accepted for “Dr. No.” To prepare for his final Bond appearance, Connery took martial arts lessons but didn’t get along with his instructor. In fact, the movie superstar suffered a broken wrist from then-unknown karate tough guy Steven Seagal.

Not Galdalf

He disputes persistent rumors that he may return to the screen. He has turned down several major roles, including a chance to reprise his role as Dr. Henry Jones in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and to play John Hammond in “Jurassic Park,” the Architect in “The Matrix” and Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings.” His favorite Bond film isn't, as most people might think, “Thunderball,” but "From Russia With Love.” The film he regrets? “Meteor” with Karl Malden. Which did he enjoy the most? Without a doubt: "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” He recently told a biographer, "I was working with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. The teamwork was special. It was a great adventure and Harrison Ford and Denholm Elliot were wonderful actors. I had so much fun." His last movie, “The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” was in 2003. He played a Victorian super-hero.

6 Classic Hymns You May Remember

Worshipping God through song never goes out of style. Read next feature >