THE TRIBUTES. THE LIFE. THE QUOTES. THE LEGACY
The First Minister led tributes to Sir Sean Connery yesterday after the man described as the world’s greatest Scot and the definitive James Bond passed away, aged 90.
Nicola Sturgeon said she was “heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sean Conner y”, adding: “Our nation today mourns one of her best-loved sons.”
She said: “Sean was born into a working- class Edinburgh family and, through talent and sheer hard work, became a film icon and one of the world’s most- accomplished actors. He will be remembered best as James Bond – for many, the classic 007.
“Sean was a global legend but, first and foremost, he was a patriotic and proud Scot. His towering presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament was a sign of his dedication to his country.
“W he ni 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.”
Michelin eRoqueb ru ne, Connery’s wife, said last night: “He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model of a man.”
Connery’s son Jason said his father “had as many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him” when he died overnight in Nassau. Connery had lived for many years on the Caribbean island, reportedly falling in love with it during filming there of the fourth Bond film, Thunderball.
Jason added: “We are 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.”
Former first minister Alex Salmond, a close friend of Connery, said: “The world’s greatest Scot, the last of the real Hollywood stars, the definitive Bond. Sean Connery was all of these things but much more. He was also a staunch patriot, a deep thinker and outstanding human being.
“His charity, the Scottish International Education Trust, has over the years supported thousands of youngsters with a helping hand in their education.
“His sense of irony and humour were legendary, as was his love of country. ‘ Scotland Forever’ wasn’t just tattooed on his fore arm but was imprinted on his soul. He was a great and gentle man.”
Former first ministers added their tributes yesterday. Jack Mcconnell said: “Sean Connery was a fantastic actor, great company in private and a terrific
ambassador for Scotland. When we were promoting Scotland in the US, Sean Connery was our biggest asset and I always appreciated his willingness to help sell modern Scotland. I hope we can use the memory of his contribution following the American election this week to re- energise our promotion of Scotland abroad and attract the investment we so badly need in these difficult times.”
HenryMcLeish added: “Sean Connery was a giant in every sense of the word, a great Scot and a great patriot. I met him on many occasions
including political discussions and remember in particular his important role in the Scottish referendum in 1997. He always carried Scotland with him. No one can forget his great and varied acting career and for many of us, the majority of us, he remains the only James Bond.”
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said on Twitter: “So sorry to see that Sean Connery has passed away. A great acting legacy endures.”
C on nery was famed for his love of Scotland as well as his acting career, which
saw him become the first actor to play 007 on the big screen in Dr No in 1962.
He went on to play Bond in five further films. The family of the man who replaced him in the iconic role, Sir Roger Moore, who died in 2017, aged 89, said: “How infinitely sad to hear the news Sean Connery has passed away. He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond.”
Football legend and Sunday Post columnist Sir Kenny Dalglish last night paid a touching tribute to Connery. “You
were an iconic Scotsman and made a fantastic contribution to our country,” he said.
Dalglish and Connery shared a love of football as the actor liked to follow the Scottish national team. Dalglish said: “Sir Sean was an outstanding actor and, such was his prowess, he was revered around the world. He hit the very top of his chosen profession and that speaks volumes for his ability.
“Sir Sean was brilliant at being James Bond and he was the best one, although we might be accused of being biased. But we’re not. It’s the truth. He was
a Scotland supporter and came to see the national team. He was there for the World Cup in Spain in 1982. He was also there for France 98. He was one of our own, truly an iconic figure.”
Barbara Broccoli, daughter of original Bond producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, and Michael G Wilson, also a former Bond producer, said in a statement: “We are devastated by news of the passing of Sean Connery.
“He was and shall always be remembered as the origin a l J a m es Bo n d whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words: ‘ The name’s Bond… James Bond’.”
A t we e t f rom Pinewood Studios, where the Bond movies are filmed, said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Sean Connery. Memories of this outstanding actor and his unforgettable embodiment of superspy James Bond will forever be cherished at Pinewood.”
Dame Shirley Bassey, who sung the themes to three Bond films, including Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever, which both starred Connery, said yesterday: “He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond.
“When we were younger I used to cheer Sean on from the sidelines whilst he played football in his team, The Showbiz 11. Well, I will always be there to cheer you on Sean.”
Welsh actress Cather ine Zeta- Jones, who starred alongside Connery in the 1999 film Entrapment, said she would “cherish every moment” she had spent with him.
Alongside a picture of them t o g e t h e r, s he wrote on Instagram: “Farewell my friend. I love you Sean Connery with all my heart. Until we meet again, I will cherish every moment I shared with you.”
Fellow Scottish actor Robert Carlyle yesterday shared a photo of himself with Connery on Twitter, writing: “One of my proudest moments – with the great man in 2008.”
And the Midlothian football club he played for in the early- 1950s also paid tribute. Bonnyrigg Rose tweeted a photograph of a rainbow over their New Dundas Park ground and paid tribute to “probably our most famous footballer”.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: “Saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Sean Connery – a true legend and British icon.”
Sir Michael Caine calling him “a great star, brilliant actor and a wonderful friend”. In a tweet he added: “The Man Who Would Be King was THE KING.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Twitter: “Sean Connery was a legend, one of the greatest actors of all time. He provided endless entertainment for all of us & inspiration for me. I’m not just saying that because he was a bodybuilder who placed in the Mr Universe contest! He was an icon. My thoughts are with his family.”
Connery retired from public life in 2011 after making his last film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, in 2003, but stated during an interview in 2016 that he still followed Scottish news and sport, including “soccer, tennis and rugby” from his Bahamas home.
Connery’s death, following a long illness, came just eight weeks after his 90th birthday on August 25. His publicist Nancy Seltzer said a “private ceremony” would be held for Connery followed by “a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended”.
He was one of our own, a truly iconic figure