Sean in a million
➤ Son Jason in tears after Bond hero dies in his sleep aged 90 ➤ Heartbroken friends tell of their love for a giant of the movies
Sir Sean Connery died peacefully aged 90 at his home in the Bahamas, his son Jason – close to tears – said yesterday.
The acting legend’s family revealed the James Bond star had been ill for some time and had passed away in his sleep.
He had lived a reclusive life recently due to his failing health and was last seen in public three years ago walking with a cane in New York.
Edinburgh-born Connery was propelled to stardom after landing the role of 007 in the first Bond film Dr No in 1962.
He went on to play the spy in six more films and has regularly topped polls as the best Bond.
His death on Friday night comes shortly after he celebrated his 90th birthday in August and he leaves behind leaves his wife Micheline and sons Jason and Stephane.
Speaking at his farm cottage near Lilliesleaf in the Borders, Jason, who was v isibly upset , said: “My dad died peacefully in his sleep.
“This is a very difficult time.
“Already there has been a beautiful outpouring of tributes for him and that is appreciated.”
In a statement, the 57- year- old actor added: “We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.
“A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.”
Connery’s publicist Nancy Seltzer said there would be a private funeral ceremony followed by a larger memorial service when the coronavirus crisis has ended.
The actor’s brother Neil was too upset to speak at his Edinburgh home yesterday.
His wife Eleanor told how he was unable to travel to be at his brother’s side in his f inal moments because of Covid-19 restrictions.
She said: “He’s just very upset at losing his only brother.
“He wou ld have gone but, of course, g iven the times we’re in, nobody can travel anywhere for any reason so that’s upsetting too.
“Jason phoned me this morning just to say Sean had died – what else can you say? “He was a person to be admired and loved and we just feel it’s the end of an era.” At Hampden, the Bond theme tune was played before kick- off at the Hearts v Hibs Scottish Cup sem i - f ina l in Connery’s honour. As a long-term supporter of Scottish independence, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led the tributes to him.
She said: “I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.
“Our nation today mourns one of her best-loved sons.
“Sean was born into a workingclass Edinburgh family and, through talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world’s most accomplished actors.
“It was a privilege to have known Sean. When I last spoke to him, it was clear even then that his health was failing – but the voice, the spirit and the passion that we all loved so well were still there.
“I will miss him. Scotland will miss him. The world will miss him.”
Her predecessor Alex Salmond described Sean as “the world’s greatest Scot”.
He added: “I have had the rare privilege of being his friend for more than 30 years and enjoyed every single moment of his company and talk.
“He was honest and brave and it has been one of the privileges of my life to count him as a friend.”
During his illustrious career,
Connery won a string of acting awards including an Oscar, two Bafta awards and three Golden Globes.
Connery, who loved playing golf, won his one and only Academy Award in 1988 for his role in The Untouchables, which he starred in alongside Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro.
He was knighted by the Queen in Holyrood Palace in 2000 for his services to film and drama.
The star had left school in Edinburgh aged just 13 and took up a job delivering milk.
But af ter tak ing a job backstage at the city’s King’s Theatre, he became interested in acting – and never looked back.
Celebrities from across the world paid tribute to the actor, who also starred in hit films The Hunt For Red October, The Rock, Highlander and Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.
Current James Bond star Daniel Craig said: “Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more.
“He defined an era and a style. The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega-watts. He helped create the modern blockbuster.”
He added: “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course.”
The Greatest Showman star Hugh Jackman said: “I grew up idolisingng Sean Connery.
“A legend on screen and off. Rest in peace.”
Fellow Scots actor Tom Conti said:: “Sean Connery was ann actor who got better and better.
“I had the pri vile geri vile ge of giving him the keys to the City of Edinburgh.
“He was ann amazing- looking man. The best-looking milk man in the world.”
Trainspottingpg author Irvine Welsh Irvine Welsh wrote on Twitter: “Great guy. But a good innings and an amazing life. RIP my friend and lifelong inspiration. “Thanks for the autograph on the Cramond Inn menu when I Iwassix was six and your conversation with my mother-in-law in south London will stay with me forever.”
Actress Elaine C Smith said: “ItIt’s a real sad day for Scotland.
“He was truly one of the first ininternational movie stars and it has to be said that men in ScScotland who become superstars arare following in his footsteps and ststanding on his shoulders.
“In our industry now, stories liklike Sean’s are very rare.
“To come from such a workingclclass background and make it to where he did is quite a journey.
“I don’t think that journey is as open to many young actors.”
Connery, who grew up in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge, had his f i rst major f i lm appearance in 1957 British gangster film No Road Back.
His last big-screen appearance was in the 2003 movie The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
In a joint statement, James Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.
“He revolutionised 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.”
The star’s official biographer Murray Grigor and businessman Sir Angus Grossart had been friends with him for more than 50 years.
The pair got together yesterday to reminisce about their pal after it was announced he had died. Both men received regular friendly phone calls from Connery but contact ceased around three years ago when he is thought to have fallen ill.
The James Bond legend was seen walking with a cane in New York City in September 2017 and later retreated to his home in Nassau in the Bahamas where he lived out his final days away from the public eye.
Banking tycoon Grossart, 83, told how he was introduced to Conner y in the 1960s by businessman Sir Iain Stewart and said they bonded over a mutual love of golf.
He said: “I used to speak to him fairly regularly on the phone but latterly he was isolated by his illness. “I haven’t spoken to him for about three years.
“I’d known him for well over 50 years after we met in the South of France golfing. “His golfing partner was Sir Iain Stewart who was a friend of mine, they always played together. “So I knew him over a long period and we always