Sean Connery, who starred as the iconic James Bond and thrilled audiences in countless other memorable roles, has died at 90. Hollywood immediately started paying tribute to the silver screen legend, remembering him for Bond as well as his other iconic roles and effortless cool.
Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli wrote via Twitter that, “We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words — ‘The name’s Bond… James Bond’ — he revolutionized 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 name’s Bond… James Bond” — 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.”
— James Bond (@007) October 31, 2020
The family of Sir Roger Moore, who died in 2017 and played Bond in seven films from 1973-1985, made a statement on his Twitter account. “How infinitely sad to hear the news Sir Sean Connery has passed away,” the tweet says. “He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond.”
How infinitely sad to hear the news Sir Sean Connery has passed away. He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond. RIP
— Sir Roger Moore (Legacy) (@sirrogermoore) October 31, 2020
George Lucas, who created the “Indiana Jones” franchise, wrote: “Sir Sean Connery, through his talent and drive, left an indelible mark in cinematic history. His audiences spanned generations, each with favorite roles he played. He will always hold a special place in my heart as Indy’s dad. With an air of intelligent authority and sly sense of comedic mischief, only someone like Sean Connery could render Indiana Jones immediately into boyish regret or relief through a stern fatherly chiding or rejoiceful hug. I’m thankful for having had the good fortune to have known and worked with him. My thoughts are with his family.”
Mike Myers, who parodied the James Bond franchise with his popular Austin Powers persona, said “I loved Sean Connery as did my British father. A great actor. A legend,” in a statement to Variety.
Sam Neill, who starred with Connery “The Hunt for Red October,” tweeted, “Every day on set with Sean Connery was an object lesson in how to act on screen. But all that charisma and power- that was utterly unique to Sean. RIP that great man, that great actor.”
Every day on set with #SeanConnery was an object lesson in how to act on screen. But all that charisma and power- that was utterly unique to Sean . RIP that great man , that great actor . https://t.co/W8MQrFYlJ0
— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) October 31, 2020
Robert De Niro, who starred in “The Untouchables” with Connery, told Variety: “I’m very sorry to hear about Sean’s passing. He seemed much younger than 90; I expected – and hoped– he’d be with us much longer. See you up there, Sean.”
Hugh Jackman wrote, “I grew up idolizing Sean Connery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace.”
I grew up idolizing #SeanConnery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/OU9QEy5fTB
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) October 31, 2020
Author Stephen King chimed in, writing, “Sean Connery in his first starring role, as a washed-up boxer. He was a fine actor and by most accounts a good guy.”
Sean Connery in his first starring role, as a washed-up boxer. He was a fine actor and by most accounts a good guy. pic.twitter.com/q1kmxUrFGC
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 31, 2020
Paul Feig wrote, “Few were cooler, few more suave, few more effortless. He showed us all how it could be done and he thrilled and entertained us the entire time. RIP Sir Sean Connery.”
Few were cooler, few more suave, few more effortless. He showed us all how it could be done and he thrilled and entertained us the entire time. RIP Sir Sean Connery. https://t.co/hyyw52ZMa2
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) October 31, 2020
Kevin Smith wrote, “He was my Dad’s James Bond, so Dad supported Mr. Connery’s career his entire life, always taking me to see any movie his fave actor was in. I have sweet memories of watching Dad watch his movie idol. So Sean Connery’s passing also feels like I’m losing Dad again. RIP, Dr. Jones.”
He was my Dad’s James Bond, so Dad supported Mr. Connery’s career his entire life, always taking me to see any movie his fave actor was in. I have sweet memories of watching Dad watch his movie idol. So Sean Connery’s passing also feels like I’m losing Dad again. RIP, Dr. Jones. pic.twitter.com/8ElVyac1kV
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) October 31, 2020
Tony Rothman, chairman of Sony’s Motion Picture Group, tells Variety, “Like others of my generation, I didn’t admire Sean Connery, I worshiped him. Getting to work with him as both a producer and an actor was a singular high point of my entire career. He taught me so much. The Class Act room in heaven has a new lead. And note to all up there: if you are on time for a meeting with the incomparable, unimaginably cool, mega talented Sir Sean, you are five minutes late.”
Alec Baldwin wrote to Rolling Stone, “He’d give me advice, but he’d never push anything on me. He asked me ‘Are you going to the rushes, boy? The dailies — are you going to go see them?’ I told him, ‘Well, no, I wasn’t planning on going.’ ‘Oh, you must! You must go to the rushes, boy! How will you ever learn?!’ And I just thought, wow. You know, he wasn’t chatty — he was there to work. But he was happy to help you get the job done. He’d been through what I was going through. … Sean was always the most impressive combination of actor and star that I’ve ever seen.”
“Marnie” co-star Tippi Hedren tells Variety, “I feel so fortunate to have worked with Sean. I am just so grateful to have had the honor of knowing him as a dear friend. He was a fabulous man and so very talented. He had a great sense of humor and he made our job fun. An elegant man, a brilliant actor and an over all amazing individual. … Not to mention extremely attractive.”
“Requiem for a Heavyweight” director Alvin Rakoff tells Variety, “He had striking presence. He had presence as his best quality. You were very aware of him being there when he was there. He was striking looking. He was tall, handsome; he looked like he was interesting for the woman she laid eyes on. He became such a big star, but we lost touch fairly quickly, much to my regret. Through the years I saw him from time to time, but we never really got together properly after that.”
Read more tributes below:
It says something for the extraordinary charisma of this Edinburgh lad to have created the most iconic character in film & then, rather than be typecast by it, become equally famous for just being Sean Connery. A real screen legend; oft imitated (by all!) but never equalled. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/TOdAI0Fxnv
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 31, 2020
Sean Connery was a movie legend, even far into his golden years. Our strongest Bonds were formed by him, and he was Untouchable. He passed today at age 90, a suave hero to the end.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 31, 2020
RIP the glorious Sean Connery pic.twitter.com/pzQ20gtFz9
— Elizabeth Hurley (@ElizabethHurley) October 31, 2020
RIP Sean Connery… the only Bond. From Scotland with Love and a broken heart 🏴💔 https://t.co/jfMVXp0o8u
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) October 31, 2020
RIP Sir Sean Connery.. a trailblazer, a true legend and a gentleman https://t.co/hkLwouejZI
— Robert Carlyle (@robertcarlyle_) October 31, 2020
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.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) October 31, 2020
Saddened by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. A wonderful man who I had the pleasure of working with in Time Bandits. We crossed paths many times over the years. Such immense talent and a vibrant human. And the only one of us to find The Holy Grail. pic.twitter.com/sNo4NtB6af
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) October 31, 2020
In memory of the great Sean Connery, what were your top five favorite movies of his? Here’s mine:
Untouchables
Bond films (all of them!)
Hunt for Red October
The Rock
Indiana Jones & the Last CrusadeHighlander (honorable mention) pic.twitter.com/WOXUZ9O0ke
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 31, 2020
RIP Sean Connery – a legendary actor / movie star
— John Cusack (@johncusack) October 31, 2020
He set the bar high with his portrayal of #JamesBond. A legend on and off-screen. RIP Sir #SeanConnery. Thank you for all your films. pic.twitter.com/UE5t7EEOyr
— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) October 31, 2020
Variety will update this post as more tributes come in.