Scottish-born actor Sean Connery, who played the iconic character of James Bond, has died on Saturday at the age of 60. He was the first actor to have played the role.
He introduced Bond and his trademark greeting in "Dr. No" (1962), which turned Connery into an international star. He would go on to play the womanizing, dinner-suited, martini-quaffing spy, created by Ian Fleming, in "From Russia With Love" (1963), "Goldfinger" (1964), "Thunderball" (1965), "You Only Live Twice" (1967) and "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971). In 1983, Connery starred in one more Bond movie, "Never Say Never Again."
A verified Twitter handle for the James Bond franchise shared this statement on behalf of producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson –
"We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words – "The name's Bond… James Bond" – he revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him."
Though he made more than 60 films, winning an Academy Award for his supporting role as an incorruptible lawman on the trail of Al Capone in "The Untouchables" (1987), Connery was most closely affiliated with the debonair fictional British spy he portrayed seven times.
