In this episode of pplpod, we look back at the life and legacy of Sir Sean Connery, the man who defined cinematic cool. We trace his journey from a humble childhood in Edinburgh—where he worked as a milkman, a lorry driver, and even a coffin polisher—to his rise as a global icon. We discuss the pivotal moment he turned down a contract to play for Manchester United in favor of becoming an actor, a decision he called one of his "more intelligent moves".
Join us as we cover:
- The Bond Years: How he secured the role of James Bond despite creator Ian Fleming initially thinking he was too "unrefined," and why Connery eventually grew to hate the character that made him a star.
- Beyond the Spy: His evolution into a serious character actor, culminating in an Academy Award for The Untouchables and fan-favorite roles in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Hunt for Red October.
- Controversy and Politics: His passionate support for Scottish independence, the scrutiny surrounding his tax exile status in the Bahamas and Spain, and the backlash regarding his controversial comments on domestic violence.
- The Final Years: His retirement from acting after The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and his final years battling dementia before his death in 2020.
