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. He defined the character, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983, beginning with *Dr. No*. His charismatic and suave portrayal established Bond as a cultural icon. Beyond Bond, Connery had a prolific acting career spanning decades, but his role as 007 remains his most iconic and enduring contribution to cinema.
1951: Backstage Work at King's Theatre
In late 1951, Sean Connery sought to supplement his income by helping out backstage at the King's Theatre.
1953: South Pacific Audition
In 1953, Sean Connery landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys in a production of South Pacific during a bodybuilding competition held in London.
1954: Meeting Michael Caine and developing interest in theatre
In 1954, Sean Connery met Michael Caine, and through the production of South Pacific, he developed a serious interest in the theatre through the American actor Robert Henderson. He also appeared as an extra in the film Lilacs in the Spring.
December 1956: Filming Time Lock
Filming of the thriller Time Lock commenced on 1 December 1956 at Beaconsfield Studios, where Sean Connery played a minor role as a welder.
1956: Television Appearances
In 1956, Sean Connery appeared in the theatrical production of Epitaph and had a minor role in the "Ladies of the Manor" episode of the BBC Television police series Dixon of Dock Green, followed by small television parts in Sailor of Fortune and The Jack Benny Program.
April 1957: Requiem for a Heavyweight Role
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: Another Time, Another Place Release and Stompanato Incident
In 1958, Sean Connery had a major role in Another Time, Another Place and was involved in an incident with Lana Turner's boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, who threatened him with a gun on set.
1959: Darby O'Gill and the Little People Release
In 1959, Sean Connery landed a leading role in the Walt Disney Productions film Darby O'Gill and the Little People.
1961: BBC Television Adaptations
In 1961, Sean Connery had prominent television roles in An Age of Kings and Rudolph Cartier's productions of Adventure Story and Anna Karenina for BBC Television. He also portrayed the title role in a CBC television film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
1962: First James Bond Film
In 1962, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in the first Bond film, Dr. No, initiating his career as the iconic spy.
1963: From Russia with Love
In 1963, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in the Eon Productions film From Russia with Love.
1964: Marnie Release
In 1964, Sean Connery appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's film Marnie.
1964: Filming of Goldfinger
In 1964, Sean Connery received golf lessons from Peter Alliss before filming the James Bond movie Goldfinger, which included a golf scene at Stoke Park Golf Club. Connery's character, James Bond, wore a Slazenger v-neck sweater in the scene, which became associated with him.
1964: Starring in 'Marnie'
In 1964, while making the Bond films, Sean Connery starred in Alfred Hitchcock's "Marnie" opposite Tippi Hedren, fulfilling his desire to work with Hitchcock and ensuring he wouldn't be typecast by reviewing the script.
June 1965: Time Magazine on James Bond
In June 1965, Time magazine observed that "James Bond has developed into the biggest mass-cult hero of the decade".
1965: The Hill Release
In 1965, Sean Connery appeared in Sidney Lumet's film The Hill.
1965: Starring in 'The Hill'
In 1965, Sean Connery starred in Sidney Lumet's "The Hill", seeking a role different from Bond, a film that was a critical success and debuted at the Cannes Film Festival winning Best Screenplay.
1965: Filming Thunderball Shark Sequence
In 1965, during the filming of "Thunderball", Sean Connery faced danger while filming a sequence with sharks in Emilio Largo's pool, despite his insistence on a Plexiglas partition.
1966: Inspired by Glasgow's Shipyards
In 1966, Sean Connery's experiences filming in Glasgow's shipyards inspired him to become a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
1966: Fairfield Experiment initiated
In 1966, the Fairfield Experiment was initiated, supported by George Brown, to provide funds for new ways of industrial management at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company.
1967: Directing 'The Bowler and the Bunnet'
In 1967, Sean Connery directed and presented the documentary film "The Bowler and the Bunnet", which described the Fairfield Experiment, a new approach to industrial relations.
1967: Cover illustration for Cilento's novel
In 1967, Sean Connery illustrated the cover of Diane Cilento's novel, "The Manipulator."
1967: Last James Bond Film
In 1967, Sean Connery played James Bond in You Only Live Twice, the fifth Bond film produced by Eon Productions, before departing from the role.
1967: You Only Live Twice Release
In 1967, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in the Eon Productions film You Only Live Twice.
1967: Letter to George Leslie
In 1967, Sean Connery wrote a letter to George Leslie, the SNP candidate, expressing his belief in a prosperous, vigorous, and modern self-governing Scotland.
1971: Return as James Bond
In 1971, Sean Connery returned to the role of James Bond for the seventh film, Diamonds Are Forever.
1971: Diamonds Are Forever Release
In 1971, Sean Connery starred as James Bond in the Eon Productions film Diamonds Are Forever.
1973: The Offence Release
In 1973, Sean Connery appeared in Sidney Lumet's film The Offence.
1974: Murder on the Orient Express Release
In 1974, Sean Connery appeared in the film Murder on the Orient Express.
1974: Starring 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 starred in the sci-fi thriller "Zardoz", which, despite initial criticism, has since gained a cult following.
1975: Starring in 'The Man Who Would Be King'
In 1975, Sean Connery appeared in John Huston's "The Man Who Would Be King" opposite Michael Caine, portraying former British soldiers who become kings, a film both actors considered their favorite.
1975: The Man Who Would Be King Release
In 1975, Sean Connery appeared in John Huston's film The Man Who Would Be King.
1976: Robin and Marian Release
In 1976, Sean Connery acted in the film Robin and Marian.
1976: Starring in 'Robin and Marian'
In 1976, Sean Connery starred as Robin Hood in "Robin and Marian" opposite Audrey Hepburn, who played Maid Marian.
1977: A Bridge Too Far Release
In 1977, Sean Connery acted in the film A Bridge Too Far.
1977: Starring in 'A Bridge Too Far'
In 1977, Sean Connery played a British Army general in Richard Attenborough's war film "A Bridge Too Far" co-starring Dirk Bogarde and Laurence Olivier.
1981: Time Bandits Release
In 1981, Sean Connery acted in the film Time Bandits.
1981: Starring in 'Time Bandits' and 'Outland'
In 1981, Sean Connery appeared in "Time Bandits" as Agamemnon and portrayed Marshal William T. O'Niel in the science fiction thriller "Outland".
1982: Narrating 'G'olé!' and Turning Down 'Annie'
In 1982, Sean Connery narrated G'olé!, the official film of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, and was offered the role of Daddy Warbucks in Annie, ultimately declining the part.
October 1983: Release of 'Never Say Never Again'
In October 1983, Sean Connery reprised his role as Bond in "Never Say Never Again", a film plagued with production issues and negative experiences for Connery.
1983: Final Bond Appearance
In 1983, Sean Connery made his final appearance as James Bond in Never Say Never Again, a non-Eon-produced film.
1983: Final Appearance as James Bond
In 1983, Sean Connery made his final appearance as James Bond in Never Say Never Again, a remake of Thunderball.
1986: Highlander and The Name of the Rose Releases
In 1986, Sean Connery acted in both Highlander and 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 "The Name of the Rose". Also in the same year, he starred in "Highlander", showcasing his ability to play older mentors.
1987: Starring in 'The Untouchables'
In 1987, Sean Connery starred in Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables" as an Irish-American cop, a performance that earned him a BAFTA nomination, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
1989: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Release
In 1989, Sean Connery acted in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
1989: Starring in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'
In 1989, Sean Connery starred in Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", playing Henry Jones Sr., and received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for his performance.
1990: The Hunt for Red October Release
In 1990, Sean Connery acted in the film The Hunt for Red October.
1990: Starring in 'The Hunt for Red October'
In 1990, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hit "The Hunt for Red October".
1991: 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: Starring in 'First Knight' and 'Just Cause'
In 1995, Sean Connery starred in "First Knight" and "Just Cause", films that were box-office and critical disappointments.
1996: Dragonheart and The Rock Releases
In 1996, Sean Connery acted in both Dragonheart and The Rock.
1996: Starring in 'The Rock' and 'Dragonheart'
In 1996, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hit "The Rock" and voiced Draco the dragon in the film "Dragonheart".
1998: Starring in 'The Avengers'
In 1998, Sean Connery starred in "The Avengers", a film that was a box-office and critical disappointment.
1999: Starring in 'Entrapment'
In 1999, Sean Connery starred in the box-office hit "Entrapment".
2000: Finding Forrester Release
In 2000, Sean Connery acted in the film Finding Forrester.
2000: Starring in 'Finding Forrester'
In 2000, Sean Connery received positive reviews for his performance in "Finding Forrester" and was also awarded a Crystal Globe.
2001: Cessation of SNP Funding
In 2001, Sean Connery's funding of the SNP ceased due to new legislation in the British Parliament prohibiting overseas funding of political activities in the United Kingdom.
2003: Starring in 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'
In 2003, Sean Connery starred in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", a film that led to his disillusionment with filmmaking and eventual retirement from acting.
2003: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Release
In 2003, Sean Connery's final on-screen role was in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as Allan Quatermain.
2005: Voiceovers for 'From Russia with Love' Video Game
In 2005, Sean Connery recorded voiceovers for the "From Russia with Love" video game and provided his likeness, expressing his happiness with Electronic Arts' offer to voice Bond.
June 2006: Retirement Announcement
In June 2006, Sean Connery confirmed his retirement from acting at the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony, citing disillusionment with Hollywood.
2012: Voice Role in 'Sir Billi'
In 2012, Sean Connery briefly came out of retirement to voice the title character in the Scottish animated film "Sir Billi", also serving as executive producer.
Mentioned in this timeline
Elizabeth II reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom and...
Walter Elias Disney was a highly influential American animator film...
The Kennedy Center Honors are annual awards recognizing individuals and...
Audrey Hepburn a British actress achieved iconic status in film...
Football is a family of team sports primarily involving kicking...
France officially the French Republic is primarily located in Western...
Trending
8 months ago Dating Rumors Swirl Around Angel Reese and Wendell Carter Jr.; Harvard's Interest
7 months ago House Dems and GOP unite to stop Trump impeachment; Democrat calls it a stunt.
16 days ago Kristi Noem's deportation flight decision faced scrutiny after judge's order, DOJ reveals call.
Emeka Egbuka is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL He played college football...
8 months ago Kelly & Mark bid adieu to 'Live' studio after 37 years; career update.
2 months ago Lululemon and NFL Partner for Apparel Collection Representing All 32 Teams
Popular
Candace Owens is an American conservative political commentator and author...
Ilhan Omar is an American politician currently serving as the...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Matt and Ross Duffer known as the Duffer Brothers are...
Tom Cotton is an American politician and Army veteran currently...
The Kennedy Center Honors are annual awards recognizing individuals and...