Sean Connery's Life


Childhood: A Tough Beginning
Sean Connery was born Thomas Connery, August 25, 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His nicknames were "Tich" when he was young, then "Big Tam" when he had a growth spurt at age 12. He had one younger brother, Neil. The Connerys had a difficult life of poverty, so Sean contributed to the family income as best he could. His first job, at age 9, was pushing a handcart, delivering milk. He started at 5:00a.m., working before school. After school, he worked as a butcher's assistant at the local meat market. Sean left school when he was 13 years old, to work as a milk rounds man (milkman) in the early morning with a horse and cart, finishing at 3:00 p.m. Then he delivered newspapers in the evening.
Sean had a passion for soccer. At 16, he played for Grove Vale Juniors. He wanted to buy a motorbike with his savings, but his family said it was too dangerous. So instead, Sean went out and bought a piano... even though no one in his family had any musical background.
Without telling anyone, Sean, 16, joined the navy to escape his life that was going nowhere. He signed on for a 7 year stint, with a yearning to see the world. But he was stifled and frustrated, since he was stationed in Portsmouth, scrubbing decks. Outside of the navy boxing and soccer teams, there was nothing the service had to offer. At 19, Sean got an early discharge due to a duodenal ulcer, a Connery family trait. He gladly left the navy, the only reminders being 2 tattoos on his right inner forearm, "Scotland Forever" and "Mum and Dad".
Sean went back to Edinburgh, where he held a wide variety of jobs, determined to find the one career that would last a lifetime. Among these jobs were delivering coal, working in a steel strip mill, polisher of coffins, digging ditches, bricklaying, bouncer at a dance hall and a dresser at the King's Theatre (which gave him his first whiff of theatrical life).
At 20, Sean was 6'2" but still rather skinny. A friend got him involved in weight lifting. He bought a motorbike with his navy disability settlement- against his father's advice- and got around on his own, rather than public transportation. Sean was ever so popular with the ladies, and had a very active social life. He got a job as a lifeguard and supplemented his income by modeling; stripped down to a tiny g-string for the Edinburgh School of Art.
	Sean entered the 1953 Mr. Universe contest with a friend in London. Sean won 3rd place, with a Bronze medal in the Tall Man's Division. While in London, he auditioned for a part in the play "South Pacific" and got a minor part. He met Maurice Mickelwhite (now known as Michael Caine), a fellow struggling actor at a party and they became friends. While on tour with the play Sean realized how much he enjoyed this free lifestyle. He was involved with various women; serious about some, including Julie Hamilton, but nothing ever worked out.
Sean had small parts in various television shows and movies, but 5 years elapsed before he appeared in his first film for Fox, which had signed him for a 5 year deal. They loaned him out to other studios. His big break came with his role as.......
Bond, James Bond Sean Connery was cast as the first James Bond In the film "Dr. No" in 1962. He won the role over several other known actors, including Cary Grant, Rex Harrison and Roger Moore, despite the fact that Sean was not British. Ian Fleming, the writer of the James Bond novels, was not pleased with the choice and said, "He is not exactly what I envisioned" as the fictional British agent. But despite the doubts, the film was a success, which led to 5 more Bond films in the next 5 years.
Sean's acting career was at it's peak. Sean Connery eventually decided to leave the James bond movies. It was becoming increasingly difficult for the world to separate him from the 007 agent. Sean made "Diamonds are Forever" in 1971, with the promise of it being his last Bond role. After several other films including "The Man Who Would be King", he agreed to make "Never Say Never Again" in 1987 for the absolute last time starring as Bond and has kept to his word as of 2000.
Sean Connery was able to escape the Bond image, and go on to be a very successful film star, cast opposite many attractive women, many much younger than himself. Sean Connery is loaded with grace, charm, sex appeal and charisma, no matter what what role he plays.

With this ring, I thee Wed.....
First Marriage Diane Cilentro 1962 - 1973 They first met in a 1957 show, "Anna Christie" in London. Diane was 24 years old and was raised in Australia. She decided to marry another man in 1958 and had one daughter with him, Giovanna. Sean and Diane married in 1962 and had a son together, Jason Connery. Diane gave up her career as an actress to raise their children. They divorced in 1973, after a 2 year separation, when Giovanna was 16 and Jason 11 years old. Sean was quoted as saying, "the film business lends itself towards marriage breakdowns."
Second Marriage Micheline Roquebrune 1975 - present Micheline is a portrait painter who was born in France, but grew up in North Africa. They met at a golf tournament, where they each won their division. They lived together for 3 years before tying the knot. Micheline has three children from her previous marriage. Her son, Stefan, is one year younger than Jason Connery. Sean and Micheline are both still avid golfers and live in Marbella, Spain. Cilck here for a link to Micheline's art work.
And the Winner Is.....
-Third Place Bronze in the 1953 Mr. Universe Contest, Tall Man's Division, representing Scotland
-Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, 1987, fro portraying an Irish cop in the movie, "The Untouchables"
-Named "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 by People's magazine. "It'll be all downhill from here," quipped Sean.
-Denied Knighthood from British government in 1998, due to his political support for his native Scotland. In 1999, the decision was reversed.
Interesting Facts and Quotes
Created the Scottish International Education Trust Fund, 1971, and donates generous amounts of money from his earnings, to help educate young Scots with varied talent, improve industrial relations between men and management.
Started losing his hair at age 21 and has frequently worn toupees in his movies roles, much to his dislike. "I never did like to wear one [hairpiece]. I don't like them, they change the sound of my voice, like wearing earmuffs. The sound reverberates in my head." He would of preferred to play Bond as a balding hero.
Moved to Spain in 1974 due to British taxes, as a tax exile, since Scotland was not a tax haven. Can only visit Britain 90 days/year without being taxed.
In 1977 it was discovered that their accountant, Kenneth Richards, was embezzling money- over 3 million dollars. Richards fled the country by the time the case was filed. One year later, Richards filed suit against the Connerys, who in turn filed a counter suit. In the end, 1987, Richards was ordered to pay back 2.8 million. He claimed bankruptcy and has never paid back a dime.
On his return as Bond in "Never Say Never Again", "It's been a long time since the last one and there's room for two Bonds. I'll be ten years older and grayer than I was in Diamonds Are Forever, but Bond's an interesting character. There's a lot more I can do with him." He broke his arm while rehearsing a fight sequence for his "positively, definitely, beyond a shadow of doubt, the last Bond" film, which was originally titled "James Bond of the Secret Service", then "Warhead". It was Micheline's suggestion to change the title.

Links to other Sean sites: The Premier website of Sean Connery Shirtless Sean (for women only!) The Movie Times Sean Connery Site
Reference: "Sean Connery, From 007 to Hollywood Icon", by Andrew Yule