Childhood and Education Journey of Sean Connery in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Sean Connery, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

April 1929: Micheline Roquebrune's birth

Micheline Roquebrune, who would later become Sean Connery's wife, was born in April 1929.

August 1930: Birth of Thomas Sean Connery

In August 1930, Thomas Sean Connery was born at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.

August 1930: Sean Connery's Birth

On August 1930, Thomas Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

1946: Joined the Royal Navy

In 1946, at the age of 16, Sean Connery joined the Royal Navy and acquired two tattoos reflecting his commitments to family and Scotland.

1950: Mr. Universe contest

In 1950, Sean Connery participated in Mr. Universe contest.

1951: Heavily Trained with Ellington

From 1951, Sean Connery trained heavily in bodybuilding with Ellington, a former gym instructor in the British Army.

1953: Mr. Universe contest

In 1953, Sean Connery participated in Mr. Universe contest. Most sources place him in the 1953 competition, either third in the Junior class or failing to place in the Tall Man classification.

1962: Connery marries Diane Cilento

In 1962, Sean Connery married actress Diane Cilento.

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: 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: 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: 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 illustrates Cilento's novel

In 1967, Sean Connery illustrated the cover of Diane Cilento's novel, "The Manipulator".

The Manipulator (SIGNED)

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1971: Connery and Cilento separate

In 1971, Sean Connery and Diane Cilento separated.

1974: Connery and Cilento divorce

In 1974, Sean Connery and Diane Cilento divorced.

1975: Connery marries Micheline Roquebrune

In 1975, Sean Connery married French-Moroccan painter Micheline Roquebrune, and they remained married until his death. Their marriage survived an affair Connery had in the late 1980s.

1979: Connery acquires Domaine de Terre Blanche

In 1979, Sean Connery acquired the Domaine de Terre Blanche in the South of France.

May 1993: Opened PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles

In May 1993, Sean Connery and Jackie Stewart helped Jack Nicklaus open the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles in Scotland.

1997: Connery paid UK taxes

Between 1997 and 1998, Sean Connery paid £3.7 million in UK taxes.

1998: Connery paid UK taxes

Between 1997 and 1998, Sean Connery paid £3.7 million in UK taxes.

1999: Connery sells Domaine de Terre Blanche

In 1999, Sean Connery sold the Domaine de Terre Blanche to German billionaire Dietmar Hopp.

2001: Funding of SNP ceased

In 2001, Connery's funding of the SNP ceased when the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed legislation prohibiting overseas funding of political activities in the United Kingdom.

2002: Connery paid UK taxes

Between 2002 and 2003, Sean Connery paid £3.7 million in UK taxes.

2003: Connery releases tax documents

In 2003, in response to accusations that he was a tax exile, Connery released documents showing he had paid £3.7 million in UK taxes between 1997 and 1998 and between 2002 and 2003.

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.

June 2007: Connery denies return to Indiana Jones series

On 7 June 2007, Sean Connery denied rumors that he would appear in the fourth Indiana Jones film, reaffirming his retirement.

2009: Taxi conversation recalled

In 2009, Sean Connery recalled a conversation he had in a taxi.

2011: Connery comments on association with the Scottish National Party

In 2011, Connery stated that "The Bowler and the Bunnet was just the beginning of a journey that would lead to my long association with the Scottish National Party".

2014: Connery's brother comments on Scottish independence referendum

In 2014, in the run-up to the Scottish independence referendum, Connery's brother Neil said Connery would not come to Scotland to rally independence supporters due to his tax exile status.