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 celebrated Scottish actor, best known as the original James Bond in seven films between 1962 and 1983. He originated the suave and sophisticated portrayal of the British secret agent in *Dr. No* (1962) and continued in films like *From Russia with Love*, *Goldfinger*, *Thunderball*, *You Only Live Twice*, and *Diamonds Are Forever*. He concluded his Bond journey with *Never Say Never Again* (1983).
1951: Backstage Work at the King's Theatre
In late 1951, Sean Connery sought to supplement his income by helping out backstage at the King's Theatre.
1953: Role in South Pacific
In 1953, Sean Connery landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys in a production of South Pacific.
1954: Meeting Michael Caine and Developing Interest in Theatre
In 1954, Sean Connery met Michael Caine during the production of South Pacific and developed a serious interest in theatre, influenced by Robert Henderson who lent him copies of works by Henrik Ibsen, Proust, Tolstoy, and others.
December 1956: Filming Time Lock
In December 1956, Sean Connery commenced filming for 'Time Lock', where he played a minor role as a welder.
1956: Television Appearances in The Square Ring and Dixon of Dock Green
In 1956, Sean Connery appeared in The Square Ring and played a minor role in an episode of the BBC Television series Dixon of Dock Green.
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', marking his first leading role.
1958: Starring in Another Time, Another Place and Confrontation with Johnny Stompanato
In 1958, Sean Connery starred in 'Another Time, Another Place' and had a confrontation with Lana Turner's possessive boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, who threatened Connery with a gun, leading to Stompanato being banned from the set and later deported.
1959: Starring in Darby O'Gill and the Little People
In 1959, Sean Connery landed a leading role in the Walt Disney film 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People'.
1961: Television Roles in Adventure Story and Anna Karenina
In 1961, Sean Connery had prominent television roles in 'Adventure Story' and 'Anna Karenina' for BBC Television, co-starring with Claire Bloom in the latter. He also starred as Macbeth in a CBC television film adaptation.
1962: First Appearance as James Bond in Dr. No
In 1962, Sean Connery originated the role of James Bond in 'Dr. No', marking the start of his portrayal of the iconic secret agent.
1963: Starring in From Russia with Love
In 1963, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in 'From Russia with Love'.
1964: Appearing in Marnie
In 1964, Sean Connery appeared in the movie 'Marnie', directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
1964: Connery Stars in Hitchcock's Marnie
In 1964, Sean Connery starred in Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie alongside Tippi Hedren. Connery, wanting to work with Hitchcock, arranged the collaboration and insisted on seeing a script, unlike Cary Grant, to avoid being typecast. Despite some reservations, Connery was happy with the film.
1964: Filming Goldfinger with golf scene
In 1964, before filming the James Bond film "Goldfinger", Sean Connery took golf lessons from Peter Alliss for the golf scene at Stoke Park Golf Club. Connery wore a Slazenger v-neck sweater, which he became associated with in his free time.
1964: Bond's Scottish Heritage Written into 'You Only Live Twice'
In 1964, following the success of Connery's portrayal of James Bond, Ian Fleming wrote Bond's Scottish heritage into his novel 'You Only Live Twice'.
1965: Appearing in The Hill
In 1965, Sean Connery appeared in the film '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, using his star power to take on a role outside of the Bond franchise. Although not a financial success, the film was critically acclaimed, winning Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival. This marked the beginning of a respected collaboration between Connery and Lumet.
1965: Near-Death Experience during Thunderball Filming
In 1965, during the filming of Thunderball, Sean Connery faced a dangerous situation in a scene involving sharks in Emilio Largo's pool. Despite his concerns and the use of a Plexiglas partition, one of the sharks breached the barrier, forcing Connery to evacuate the pool immediately.
1966: George Brown Supports Fairfield Experiment
In 1966, George Brown, the First Secretary in Harold Wilson's cabinet, supported the Fairfield Experiment by providing £1 million to the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. This initiative aimed to introduce new industrial management methods to prevent the company's closure.
1966: Filming in Glasgow inspires SNP membership
In 1966, Sean Connery's experiences filming in Glasgow's shipyards inspired him to join the Scottish National Party (SNP).
1967: Last Bond film of the first contract: You Only Live Twice
In 1967, Connery played Bond in 'You Only Live Twice'.
1967: Connery Directs 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, an innovative approach to industrial relations at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Glasgow.
1967: Connery Illustrates Cilento's Novel
In 1967, Sean Connery illustrated the cover of his then-wife Diane Cilento's novel, The Manipulator, showcasing his support for her creative endeavors.
1967: Starring in You Only Live Twice
In 1967, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in 'You Only Live Twice'.
1967: Connery supports SNP candidate
In 1967, Sean Connery wrote to George Leslie, the SNP candidate in the Glasgow Pollok by-election, expressing his belief in a prosperous, vigorous, and modern self-governing Scotland.
1971: Return to Bond: Diamonds Are Forever
In 1971, Connery returned for the seventh film, 'Diamonds Are Forever'.
1972: Golden Globe Henrietta Award
In 1972, Sean Connery received the Golden Globe Henrietta Award for "World Film Favorite – Male", sharing the honor with Charles Bronson, recognizing his global popularity after playing James Bond six times.
1973: Appearing in The Offence
In 1973, Sean Connery appeared in the film 'The Offence', directed by Sidney Lumet.
1974: Appearing in Murder on the Orient Express
In 1974, Sean Connery appeared in 'Murder on the Orient Express'.
1974: Connery Stars in Murder on the Orient Express and Zardoz
In 1974, Sean Connery was part of the ensemble cast in Murder on the Orient Express and also starred in the science fiction thriller Zardoz. Zardoz, known for Connery's controversial costume, initially received negative reviews but later gained a cult following.
1975: Appearing in The Man Who Would Be King
In 1975, Sean Connery appeared in 'The Man Who Would Be King', directed by John Huston.
1976: Acting in Robin and Marian
In 1976, Sean Connery acted in the film 'Robin and Marian'.
1977: Acting in A Bridge Too Far
In 1977, Sean Connery acted in the film 'A Bridge Too Far'.
1981: Acting in Time Bandits
In 1981, Sean Connery acted in the film 'Time Bandits'.
1981: Connery Appears in Time Bandits and Outland
In 1981, Sean Connery appeared in Time Bandits as Agamemnon, a role he accepted based on a joke in the script. He also portrayed Marshal William T. O'Niel in the science fiction thriller Outland.
1982: Connery Narrates G'olé! and Turns Down Annie Role
In 1982, Sean Connery narrated G'olé!, the official film of the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He was also offered the role of Daddy Warbucks in Annie, for which he took voice lessons before ultimately declining the part.
October 1983: Never Say Never Again Release and Production Issues
In October 1983, Sean Connery reprised his role as James Bond in Never Say Never Again, a title inspired by his previous statement that he would "never again" play the character. Despite its box office success, the film faced numerous production challenges, including conflicts, financial problems, and an injury to Connery.
1983: Final Bond appearance: Never Say Never Again
In 1983, Connery made his final appearance as Bond in 'Never Say Never Again'.
1986: Acting in Highlander and The Name of the Rose
In 1986, Sean Connery acted in both 'Highlander' and 'The Name of the Rose'.
1986: BAFTA Award for The Name of the Rose
In 1986, Sean Connery received the BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his role in 'The Name of the Rose'.
1986: BAFTA Award for The Name of the Rose and Highlander
In 1986, Sean Connery won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his role in the European production The Name of the Rose. That same year, he showcased his ability to play older mentors in Highlander, a role that became a recurring theme in his later films.
1987: Academy Award and Golden Globe for The Untouchables, Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 1987, Sean Connery received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'The Untouchables'. In the same year, he received the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
1987: Connery Stars in The Untouchables
In 1987, Sean Connery starred in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables as an Irish-American cop, alongside Kevin Costner. The film was a critical and commercial success, with Connery's performance receiving widespread praise and earning him a BAFTA nomination, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
1989: Acting in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
In 1989, Sean Connery acted in the film 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'.
1990: Acting in The Hunt for Red October
In 1990, Sean Connery acted in the film 'The Hunt for Red October'.
1990: The Hunt for Red October and The Russia House Release
In 1990, Sean Connery starred in two box-office hits: The Hunt for Red October and The Russia House, further solidifying his status as a leading actor in popular films.
1991: Connery 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.
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.
1996: Acting in Dragonheart and The Rock
In 1996, Sean Connery acted in the films 'Dragonheart' and 'The Rock'.
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, showcasing his versatility in both live-action and voice acting roles.
1998: BAFTA Fellowship Award
In 1998, Sean Connery received the BAFTA Fellowship Award.
1998: Connery Stars in The Avengers
In 1998, Sean Connery starred in The Avengers, which was a critical and box office disappointment.
1999: Kennedy Center Honors
In 1999, Sean Connery received the Kennedy Center Honors.
1999: Connery Stars in Entrapment
In 1999, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hit Entrapment, continuing to take on leading roles in popular films.
2000: Acting in Finding Forrester
In 2000, Sean Connery acted in the film 'Finding Forrester'.
2000: Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
In 2000, Sean Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama and became a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France.
2001: Funding of SNP ceased
In 2001, Sean Connery's financial support for the SNP ended due to legislation prohibiting overseas funding of political activities in the United Kingdom.
2003: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Retirement
In 2003, Sean Connery starred in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was a significant disappointment. Frustrated with the production, Connery chose to retire from acting rather than face similar stressful experiences again. He was also ranked eighth on Channel 4's list of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars in the UK.
2003: Final On-Screen Role in 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 Voices From Russia with Love Video Game
In 2005, Sean Connery recorded voiceovers for the From Russia with Love video game, working with producer Terry Manning in the Bahamas. He was pleased to reprise his role as James Bond in this format.
June 2006: Connery Confirms Retirement at AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony
In June 2006, at the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony, Sean Connery officially confirmed his retirement from acting, citing disillusionment with the state of filmmaking in Hollywood as a primary reason.
2011: Connery Discusses Association with SNP
In 2011, Sean Connery said that filming "The Bowler and the Bunnet" in 1966 was just the beginning of a journey that would lead to his long association with the Scottish National Party.
2012: Connery Voices Sir Billi
In 2012, Sean Connery briefly came out of retirement to voice the title character in the Scottish animated film Sir Billi and served as executive producer for an expanded version of the film.
2023: Manchester United contract offer - Equivalent value update
In 2023, a Sean Connery's contract offer made by Manchester United back in the days would have been equivalent to £882.
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