A life in film
1951 Gets a part in the stage musical South Pacific, which involves singing There is Nothing Like a Dame for £12 a week for the next two years.
1961 Meets producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who is searching for someone to play Bond. Writer Ian Fleming feels he is too unrefined and wants Cary Grant. But Cubby’s wife says Sean has sex appeal. 1962 Appears in the first Bond, Dr No.
1986 Wins BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Name of the Rose. He also stars in Highlander with Christopher Lambert. 1988 Wins Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for The Untouchables.
1989 His part as Professor Henry Jones in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade wins him Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
1990 Nominated for a BAFTA for his role in The Hunt for Red October.
2001 Turns down role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings series as he did not understand the novels. 2003 Appears in his last leading role in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and is unhappy on set. Declares he will not return home until Scotland becomes an independent country.