London (AFP)
Scottish actor Sean Connery, the first and unforgettable performer of Agent 007 in the James Bond film saga, has died at the age of 90, the BBC reported on Saturday, citing his family.
The actor has had a long career crowned with numerous awards including an Oscar, two Bafta and three Golden Globes.
"How infinitely sad to hear the news of Sir Sean Connery's passing. He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained that Sean was the best James Bond ever," the account tweeted. of actor Roger Moore, who had also slipped into the shoes of the famous secret agent.
Sean Connery was born August 25, 1930 in poverty in the suburbs of Edinburgh in Scotland.
He had left school early and enlisted in the Navy at 16.
His two tattoos - "Mum and dad" and "Scotland forever" - date from this period on the right forearm.
Returned to civilian life after three years after an ulcer, he had done odd jobs: lifeguard, mason, truck driver but also charcoal deliverer, bodyguard and coffin polisher.
He had also embarked on bodybuilding, finishing third in the Mister Universe 1950 competition, before embracing an acting career.
Taking on the role of 007 for the first time in "Dr No" in 1962, he played six times (not counting the unofficial "Never Again") the secret agent.
- For the independence of Scotland -
He won an Oscar with "The Untouchables" and increasingly performed roles of spiritual father, in "Highlander", "The Name of the Rose" or "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade".
In 1989, People magazine named him "the sexiest man alive", while he was happily turning 60.
Sean Connery retired in 2003, remaining immensely popular.
In 2013, he was voted Americans' favorite British actor.
Only his fight for the autonomy of his native Scotland raised a few eyebrows.
He would also have delayed until July 2000 his ennoblement by Queen Elizabeth II.
“I grew up idolizing #SeanConnery,” actor Hugh Jackman wrote.
on Twitter calling him a "legend on and off the screen."
© 2020 AFP