Sean Connery, former ‘James Bond’ star, dies at age 90

Scottish movie legend Sir Sean Connery, who vaulted to worldwide stardom playing the sexy, sophisticated, and deadly British agent James Bond, has died at age 90.

Connery was raised in near poverty in the slums of Edinburgh and worked as a coffin polisher, milkman and lifeguard before his bodybuilding hobby helped launch an acting career that made him one of the world’s biggest stars.

As British 007 agent James Bond, Connery was perfect, using his debonair manner and wry humor to foil over the top yet colorful villains and cavort with beautiful women,  while adding a darker, violent edge, that set the standard for those who followed him in the role.

He had some very noteworthy non-Bond films included director Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie” (1964), “The Wind and the Lion” (1975) with Candice Bergen, director John Huston’s “The Man Who Would be King” (1975) with Michael Caine, director Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989) and the Cold War tale “The Hunt for Red October” (1990). He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a tough Chicago cop in “The Untouchables” (1987).

Connery retired from movies after disputes with the director of his final outing, the forgettable “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” in 2003.

“I get fed up dealing with idiots,” he said.

Connery was a very different type from Fleming’s Bond character with his impeccable social background, preferring beer to Bond’s vodka martini cocktails that were “shaken not stirred.” But Connery‘s influence helped shape the character in the books as well as the films. He never attempted to disguise his Scottish accent, leading Fleming to give Bond Scottish heritage in the books that were released after Connery‘s debut.

Connery married actress Diane Cilento in 1962. Before divorcing 11 years later, they had a son, Jason, who became an actor. He married French artist Micheline Roquebrune, whom he met playing golf, in 1975.