Sir Sean Connery, a Scottish actor and producer, is best known for portraying the character James Bond in six of Ian Fleming’s Bond movies between 1962 and 1983. With an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes, Connery is one of the greatest movie stars of all time.
Below are 8 surprising things that you may not know about the legendary Sean Connery…
1. Like all good sailors, Connery has two tattoos.
At 16, Connery enlisted in the Royal Navy and opted for two tattoos, reading: Mum and Dad, and Scotland Forever.
2. Connery was voted as the Sexiest Man Alive.
For many people, there’s no sexier Scottish brogue than Sir Sean Connery. The man himself, whether or not he is in his prime, is as rakishly appealing as he always has been. Chosen third in the tall men’s division at Mr. Universe in 1953, voted as Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 and Sexiest Man of the Century in 1999 by People Magazine, Connery is no doubt one of the sexiest stars in film history.
3. He is an enthusiastic poet.
Not only is Connery a man with charm and trademark braggadocio, he is also an enthusiastic poet and dancer.
4. Connery is one of the major contributors to the Scottish National Party.
Refusing to return to Scotland until it becomes independent, Connery fervently supports Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom. He has given a great deal of his own money to the Scottish National Party, and also donates to the Scottish International Education Trust.
5. He had a broken wrist for a number of years.
In the process of learning martial arts lessons, Connery angered the instructor who in turn broke his wrist. Connery stayed with the wrist broken for a number of years, thinking it was only a minor pain…
6. Connery turned down the role Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings
Connery declined the role due to not understanding the script and because he didn’t want to film down in New Zealand for 18 months.
7. He is multi-talented
Connery had many different jobs, such as a milkman, lorry driver, labourer, artist’s model, coffin polisher, bricklayer, body builder. He also had a choice between becoming a professional footballer or an actor. Although he showed much promise in the sport, Connery decided to choose acting and said it was “one of his more intelligent moves”.
8. Connery is neighbours with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
Not a lot of people can say they’re neighbours with a king. Connery has a villa in Kranidi, Greece and lives right next to the King of Netherlands, whom he also shares the helicopter platform with.
Did any of the Connery fans know this already?? Perhaps you have some more “unknown” facts to add?