Career Timeline of Sean Connery: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Sean Connery made an impact.

Sir Sean Connery was a highly acclaimed Scottish actor, best known as the first cinematic James Bond. He defined the suave, charismatic spy in seven films, starting with "Dr. No" (1962) and continuing through "Never Say Never Again" (1983). His portrayal became the standard, influencing subsequent actors in the role and solidifying Bond's place in pop culture.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1951: Worked Backstage at King's Theatre

In late 1951, Sean Connery helped out backstage at the King's Theatre to supplement his income.

1953: Landed Part in South Pacific

In 1953, Sean Connery landed a small part in a production of "South Pacific" as one of the Seabees chorus boys.

1954: Met Michael Caine and Developed Interest in Theatre

In 1954, Sean Connery met Michael Caine and developed a serious interest in theatre through American actor Robert Henderson. He also was an extra in Herbert Wilcox's musical "Lilacs in the Spring".

December 1956: Filming of Time Lock Commenced

On December 1, 1956, filming commenced for Gerald Thomas's thriller Time Lock, in which Sean Connery had a minor role as a welder.

1956: Early Television Roles

In 1956, Sean Connery appeared in the theatrical production of Epitaph and played a minor role in an episode of the BBC Television police series Dixon of Dock Green. He also had small television parts in Sailor of Fortune and The Jack Benny Program.

April 1957: Leading Role in Requiem for a Heavyweight

In April 1957, Sean Connery was cast as Mountain McLintock in BBC Television's production of Requiem for a Heavyweight.

1958: Starred in Another Time, Another Place and Confrontation with Johnny Stompanato

In 1958, Sean Connery starred in "Another Time, Another Place" and disarmed Johnny Stompanato, Lana Turner's boyfriend, who threatened him with a gun on set.

1959: Starred in Darby O'Gill and the Little People

In 1959, Sean Connery played a leading role in Walt Disney Productions' film "Darby O'Gill and the Little People".

1961: Television Roles in Adventure Story, Anna Karenina, and Macbeth

In 1961, Sean Connery had prominent television roles in Rudolph Cartier's productions of Adventure Story and Anna Karenina for BBC Television, and portrayed the title role in a CBC television film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

1962: First James Bond Film: Dr. No

In 1962, Sean Connery originated the role of James Bond in the film "Dr. No".

1963: Starred in "From Russia with Love"

In 1963, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in "From Russia with Love".

1964: Golf lessons before filming Goldfinger

In 1964, English professional golfer Peter Alliss gave Connery golf lessons before the filming of the James Bond film Goldfinger, which involved a scene where Connery, as Bond, played golf. This scene saw him wear a Slazenger v-neck sweater.

1964: Starred in Marnie

In 1964, Sean Connery appeared in Marnie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

1964: Connery stars in Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie

In 1964, Sean Connery starred in Alfred Hitchcock's "Marnie" opposite Tippi Hedren. Connery, wanting to avoid being typecast, requested to see the script, contrasting with Cary Grant's approach to Hitchcock's films. Connery expressed happiness with the film, albeit with some reservations.

1965: Starred in The Hill

In 1965, Sean Connery appeared in The Hill, directed by Sidney Lumet.

1965: Connery stars in Sidney Lumet's The Hill

In 1965, Sean Connery starred in Sidney Lumet's "The Hill", a film he chose to avoid being typecast. Although not financially successful, the film was critically acclaimed, debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and winning Best Screenplay. This marked the first of five films Connery made with Lumet, whom he greatly respected.

1965: Life-threatening shark encounter during Thunderball filming

In 1965, while filming "Thunderball", Sean Connery's life was endangered during the shark sequence in Emilio Largo's pool. Despite his insistence on a Plexiglas partition, a shark breached it, forcing him to evacuate the pool immediately.

1966: Inspired to join the Scottish National Party

In 1966, Connery's Scottish roots and his experiences filming in Glasgow's shipyards inspired him to become a member of the centre-left Scottish National Party (SNP).

1966: Fairfield Experiment supported by George Brown

In 1966, the Fairfield Experiment, which was featured in "The Bowler and the Bunnet" was supported by George Brown, the First Secretary in Harold Wilson's cabinet, with a £1 million investment to prevent the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company's closure.

1967: Fifth Bond Film

Between 1962 and 1967, Sean Connery played 007 in Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice, the first five Bond films produced by Eon Productions.

1967: Connery writes to SNP candidate

In 1967, Connery wrote to George Leslie, the SNP candidate in the 1967 Glasgow Pollok by-election, expressing his belief in Scotland's capabilities as a self-governing nation.

1967: Connery directs and presents "The Bowler and the Bunnet"

In 1967, Sean Connery directed and presented the documentary film "The Bowler and the Bunnet", which explored the Fairfield Experiment in Glasgow, a new approach to industrial relations.

1967: Starred in "You Only Live Twice"

In 1967, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in "You Only Live Twice".

1971: Diamonds Are Forever

In 1971, Sean Connery returned to the role of James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever".

1971: Starred in "Diamonds Are Forever"

In 1971, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever".

1973: Starred in The Offence

In 1973, Sean Connery appeared in The Offence, directed by Sidney Lumet.

1974: Connery stars in Murder on the Orient Express and Zardoz

In 1974, Sean Connery appeared in "Murder on the Orient Express" and starred in the sci-fi thriller "Zardoz", which, despite initial criticism and Connery wearing a controversial scarlet mankini, has since gained a cult following.

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1974: Starred in Murder on the Orient Express

In 1974, Sean Connery appeared in Murder on the Orient Express.

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1975: Starred in The Man Who Would Be King

In 1975, Sean Connery appeared in The Man Who Would Be King, directed by John Huston.

1975: Connery stars in The Man Who Would Be King and The Wind and the Lion

In 1975, Sean Connery starred in John Huston's "The Man Who Would Be King" opposite Michael Caine, a film both actors considered their favorite. He also appeared in "The Wind and the Lion" opposite Candice Bergen.

1976: Starred in Robin and Marian

In 1976, Sean Connery appeared in Robin and Marian.

1976: Connery plays Robin Hood in Robin and Marian

In 1976, Sean Connery played Robin Hood in "Robin and Marian" opposite Audrey Hepburn as Maid Marian, earning praise for his chemistry with Hepburn.

1977: Starred in A Bridge Too Far

In 1977, Sean Connery appeared in A Bridge Too Far.

1981: Connery appears in Time Bandits and Outland

In 1981, Sean Connery appeared in "Time Bandits" as Agamemnon, a casting choice inspired by a joke in the script. He also starred as Marshal William T. O'Niel in the science fiction thriller "Outland".

1981: Starred in Time Bandits

In 1981, Sean Connery appeared in Time Bandits.

1982: Connery narrates G'olé! and declines role in Annie

In 1982, Sean Connery narrated "G'olé!", the official film of the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He also turned down the role of Daddy Warbucks in "Annie" after taking voice lessons for the part.

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October 1983: Release of Never Say Never Again

In October 1983, Sean Connery reprised his role as James Bond in "Never Say Never Again". The film, whose title was inspired by his previous statement that he would "never again" return to the role, faced several production issues and led to Connery's dissatisfaction with major studios.

1983: Final James Bond Appearance: Never Say Never Again

In 1983, Sean Connery made his final appearance as James Bond in "Never Say Never Again".

1983: Never Say Never Again

In 1983, Sean Connery made his final appearance as James Bond in "Never Say Never Again".

1986: Starred in Highlander and The Name of the Rose

In 1986, Sean Connery appeared in both Highlander and The Name of the Rose.

1986: Connery wins BAFTA for The Name of the Rose and stars in Highlander

In 1986, Sean Connery won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his role in "The Name of the Rose". That same year, he appeared in "Highlander", which showcased his ability to play older mentors, a recurring role in his later films.

1987: Connery stars in The Untouchables

In 1987, Sean Connery starred in "The Untouchables", playing an Irish-American cop. The film was a critical and box-office success, and Connery's performance earned him a BAFTA nomination, a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1989: Starred in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

In 1989, Sean Connery appeared in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

1990: Starred in The Hunt for Red October

In 1990, Sean Connery appeared in The Hunt for Red October.

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1990: Connery stars in The Hunt for Red October and The Russia House

In 1990, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hits "The Hunt for Red October" and "The Russia House".

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1991: Connery's cameo in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

In 1991, Sean Connery made a brief cameo appearance as King Richard the Lionheart at the end of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves".

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1995: Connery stars in First Knight and Just Cause

In 1995, Sean Connery starred in "First Knight" and "Just Cause", both of which were box-office and critical disappointments.

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1996: Starred in Dragonheart and The Rock

In 1996, Sean Connery appeared in Dragonheart and The Rock.

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1996: Connery stars in The Rock and voices Draco in Dragonheart

In 1996, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hit "The Rock" and voiced the role of Draco the dragon in the film "Dragonheart".

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1998: Connery stars in The Avengers

In 1998, Sean Connery starred in "The Avengers", which was a box-office and critical disappointment.

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1999: Connery stars in Entrapment

In 1999, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hit "Entrapment".

2000: Starred in Finding Forrester

In 2000, Sean Connery appeared in Finding Forrester.

2000: Connery receives positive reviews for Finding Forrester

In 2000, Sean Connery received positive reviews for his performance in "Finding Forrester". He also received a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.

2003: Connery stars in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

In 2003, Sean Connery starred in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", which was a box-office and critical disappointment and led to his retirement from acting. In a UK poll, Connery was ranked eighth on the list of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars.

2003: Final On-Screen Role: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

In 2003, Sean Connery's final on-screen role was as Allan Quatermain in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

2005: Connery provides voiceovers for From Russia with Love video game

In 2005, Sean Connery recorded voiceovers and provided his likeness for the "From Russia with Love" video game, marking his return to the Bond franchise in a new medium. He expressed his satisfaction with the producers, Electronic Arts, for approaching him.

June 2006: Connery confirms retirement from acting

On 8 June 2006, Sean Connery confirmed his retirement from acting while receiving the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award, citing disillusionment with Hollywood.