When Sean Connery was first approached to play James Bond in 1962's Dr. No, he wasn't exactly jumping at the opportunity. In fact, the legendary actor had serious reservations about taking on the iconic role. He saw it as something that could trap him in a character he might never escape. "I could see that properly made, it would have to be the first of a series, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to get involved in that and the contract that would go with it," Sean once admitted. "Contracts choke you, and I wanted to be free."
Despite his initial reluctance, biographer Herbie J. Pilato argues that Sean Connery was destined to play James Bond. "If anyone was born to play a role, it was Sean Connery and James Bond," Pilato says. In his new book, Connery, Sean Connery: Before, During, and After His Most Famous Role, Pilato dives deep into the life of the actor who became synonymous with 007. The book is being released on the 40th anniversary of Never Say Never Again, a film that marked Sean's return to the Bond franchise. While the role made Sean a global star, he initially felt it wasn't a perfect fit. After all, he was a no-nonsense Scotsman who preferred a pint of beer over a shaken-not-stirred martini and Levi’s over designer suits. Yet, as Pilato explains to Closer, Sean's life experiences made him the ideal choice for the suave spy. "He was beyond James Bond in so many ways. His life struggles toughened him to be perfect for that role. [But] he never forgot where he came from," Pilato adds.
From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood Icon
Growing up in Edinburgh, Sean Connery’s early life was anything but glamorous. The son of a truck driver and a cleaning woman, Sean described his background as "harsh." He began working at the young age of 13 and left school by 15 to join the Navy. "I always paid my share of the rent," Sean recalled. "I had to make it on my own or not at all." After being discharged from the military with an ulcer, Sean took on a variety of odd jobs, including modeling and even polishing coffins. His journey into acting began almost by chance when a friend encouraged him to audition for South Pacific. "It was really a lark," Sean admitted. But after two years with the show, he was hooked on acting. "I was hooked," he said.
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A Complex Legacy
As Sean pursued his acting career, he immersed himself in literature, reading every classic book that would contribute to his craft. "He had a lot of heart and a lot of soul," Pilato says. In 1962, the same year he landed the Bond role, Sean married actress Diane Cilento. Their 12-year marriage was marked by both highs and lows, including a controversial statement Sean made justifying violence against women. That comment followed him for the rest of his life. "He tried to be contrite and make up for it," Pilato explains, "but it was too late. I think he was just embarrassed and mortified."
Embracing His Legacy
As Sean aged, he won an Oscar for The Untouchables and settled into a happy marriage with artist Micheline Roquebrune. "He definitely had issues when it came to the whole macho thing. But he also did a lot of good in the world," Pilato tells Closer. Sean built a closer relationship with his son, Jason, and worked closely with the Scottish International Education Trust. Over time, he learned to embrace his alter ego, James Bond. Recalling a day in the early 1990s, Sean said, "I was going upstairs, [and] I heard my own voice coming from one of the rooms. My grandchildren were watching Goldfinger." He joined them, watching the film with a sense of nostalgia. "It was interesting. There was a certain elegance, a certain assurance to it that was quite comforting," he reflected.
