Page 6 - The Nile Explorer Magazine 011

Daniel Craig.
Despite his vow, Mr. Connery
reprised the role a final time in 1983.
A remake of “Thunderball,” the
movie was called — in a nod to the
actor’s broken promise — “Never Say
Never Again.”
He also gave finely tuned
performances as a murder suspect
in the 1974 adaptation of Agatha
Christie’s ensemble mystery “
Murder on the Orient Express” as
an aging bow-wielding hooded
hero in “Robin and Marian” (1976)
opposite Audrey Hepburn; as a
criminal mastermind in “The Great
Train Robbery” (1978); as a monk
who investigates a murder in “The
Sean Connery Name of the Rose” (1986); and as
a publisher recruited by British
film adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s was a multimillionaire and often intelligence to spy on Russia in “ The
“ The Man Who Would Be King” donated his movie payments to the Russia House” (1990), based on the
(1975). Mr. Connery and Michael Scottish International Education John le Carre novel.
Caine played British soldiers who Trust; an organization he helped Off screen, Mr. Connery could
stumble onto the riches of a tribal start that offers grants primarily to be combative and litigious with
kingdom and try to execute a massive young artists. producers over fees, but he also used
con by pretending that Mr. Connery As “Dr. No” director Terence Young his reputation as a bankable star to
is a demigod. once said, “There are only two great help struggling projects directed by
He played the frustrated husband of stars in my recollection who have friends. He accepted the role of King
Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock’s not been changed by great massive Agamemnon in “Time Bandits”
bland psychodrama “Marnie” (1964); success: Sean Connery and Lassie, (1981) when he learned that the
a bare-chested, ponytailed gunslinger and both of them Scottish.” director, Monty Python veteran
of the future in “Zardoz” (1974); and Mr. Connery as Bond in “From Russia Terry Gilliam, was having trouble
a trenchcoat-wearing adventurer in With Love” (1963),” Goldfinger” securing financing.
the graphic novel adaptation “The (1964), “Thunderball” (1965), Mr. Connery’s married Actress Diane
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” “You Only Live Twice” (1967) and” Cilento, in 1962, and later divorced.
(2003). Diamonds Are Foreover” (1971). After his divorce from Cilento, he
He gave over-the-top performances The world was overcome with married French-Moroccan artist
in over-the-top films such as “Bondmania” in the 1960s. Johnny Micheline Roquebrune in 1975.
“Highlander” (1986), in which he Rivers’s pop tune “Secret Agent Man” In addition to his wife, he is surviveds
plays an immortal swordsman; played incessantly on the radio. A by a son from his first marriage,
“The Hunt for Red October” (1990), Bond-inspired cologne promised a actor Jason Connery; a stepson
as a Russian nuclear submarine secret aromatic weapon of desire. he adopted, Stephane Connery; a
commander; and “The Rock” (1996), Mr. Connery said he tired of the fuss. brother; and several grandchildren.
as an ex-con who helps disrupt a “The first two or three were fun,” he Mr. Connery was granted British
terrorist plot. once said. “Jumping out of planes knighthood in 2000 by Queen
Mr. Connery also enlivened the was entertaining, although it was Elizabeth, reportedly after a two-
most commercial of films, such as tough on my hairpiece.” year delay because of his support of
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” After “Diamonds,” he swore he’d Scottish independence.
(1989), starring Harrison Ford as never return to the screen as Bond. To his fans, Mr. Connery was the only
a whip-cracking archaeologist and Other actors came in his place, actor worthy of donning the Bond
Mr. Connery as the adventurer’s including George Lazenby, Roger tuxedo. As his career progressed,
comically disapproving father. Moore and Timothy Dalton. Later however, he fiercely defended his
Mr. Connery’s high profile allowed revivals of the franchise have starred independence from the role that
him to command huge salaries. He Pierce Brosnan and, most recently, launched him to superstardom.

6 | The Nile Explorer 011