Sean Connery

Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born August 25,1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland) better known simply as Sean Connery, is a Scottish film actor who has starred in many films and is best known as the original cinematic James Bond. His birth name was Thomas Connery. The name "Sean" was added later as a stage name. Connery is known for his trademark Scottish accent and his good looks, repeatedly being mentioned as one of the most attractive men alive by magazines even after he was considerably older than more conventional sex symbols. Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He joined the Royal Navy after leaving school, and after being discharged on medical grounds went on to a succession of jobs, including labourer and lifeguard. He competed for Scotland in the Mr. Universe competition in 1953, which led to work on the stage, TV, and eventually film. He has long advocated greater independence for Scotland, and has supported the Scottish National Party, a centre-left nationalist political party, financially and through personal appearances despite himself living in the Bahamas. This support is illustrated by a comment from his official website: "While it is generally accepted that his support of Scotland's independence and the Scottish National Party delayed his knighthood for many years, his commitment to Scotland has never wavered. Politics in the United Kingdom often has more intrigue than a James Bond plot. While Scotland is not yet independent, she does have a new parliament. Sir Sean campaigned hard for the yes vote during the Scottish Referendum that created the new Scottish Parliament. He believes firmly that the Scottish Parliament will grow in power and that Scotland will be independent within his lifetime." [1] (http://www.seanconnery.com/biography/knighthood/) Connery used part of the fees from his work as James Bond to establish a charity to support deprived children in Edinburgh as well as Scottish Film production. These charitable works would have earned him a Knighthood much earlier but it was revealed in 1997 that the award had been declined due to concern over statements that Connery made in interviews that in certain circumstances that physical abuse of a partner was acceptable. Connery received the Legion D'Honneur in 1991. He received Kennedy Center Honors from the United States in 1999. He was knighted on July 5, 2000, wearing a hunting tartan kilt of the MacLean of Duart clan. Sean Connery received the Orden de Manuel Amador Guerrero from Mireya Moscoso, former president of Panama on 11 March 2003. He was married to Australian-born actress Diane Cilento from 1962 until 1973; they are the parents of actor Jason Connery. Jason was educated at Millfield School in Somerset. He has been married to French-Moroccan artist Micheline Roquebrune Connery since 1975. In September 2004, media reports indicated that Connery intended to retire following the production of Josiah's Canon, which is to be released in 2005. However, in a December 2004 interview with The Scotsman newspaper, the 74-year-old actor denied he was retiring and said he still plans to do more movies, but that he is taking a break from acting in order to concentrate on writing his autobiography.