Bond, James Bond

Some of his best works were, however, in the course of his collaboration with director Sidney Lumet: The Hill (1965) as a convict in a military prison; The Anderson Tapes (1972) as an ex-con masterminding a large scale heist; The Offence (1973), Murder on the Orient Express (1974) and Family Business (1989).

Connery attempted to break out of the Bond image many times. The audience, however, did not at first support his efforts. Diamonds are Forever (1971) marked the beginning of his 12-year hiatus from Bond films. In the course of this break, he starred in a wide range of exciting adventure films: Zardoz (1974), The Man Who Would be King (1975), The Wind and the Lion (1975), Robin and Marian and Time Bandits (1981). In 1983, he returned to play James Bond in the hugely popular film Never Say Never Again.

Then followed Highlander (1986), a popular fantasy film and the successful international co-production The Name of the Rose (in the same year). The following year he won an Oscar award for his best supporting role as an Irish cop in Brian De Palma's adaptation of The Untouchables. One effusive critic described the film as 'stylish, audacious and craftily made.'

Even today, Connery has a busy routine. His films of the last decade include The Hunt for Red October, The Russia House (both 1990), Highlander II: the Quickening (1991) and Medicine Man (1992). The last film marked his debut as an executive producer. He also donned this role in Rising Sun (1993).

Connery's early life belies the heights he reached in his film career. Born in August 25, 1930, he came from an impoverished family in the Fountain Bridge district of Edinburgh, Scotland. His father was a truck driver. Connery joined the Royal Navy but he was released from service because he suffered from ulcers. He did many jobs such as labourer, lifeguard and model for art classes. In the course of his work, he was offered a job in the chorus of the touring company of South Pacific. With several stage productions behind him, he made his television debut in 1956. In the late 1950s he signed a movie contract with MGM.

In 1962 he was cast as the first cinematic James Bond in Dr No. There were other heavyweight contenders for this role: Cary Grant, Rex Harrison, Trevor Howard, Patrick McGoohan and Roger Moore. The author Ian Fleming was quoted as saying, '[Connery] is not exactly what I envisioned as the fictional British agent.' Despite Fleming's reservations, the film was a runaway success, which led to three more Bond films in the next five years.

Connery's tremendous screen presence won him numerous awards such the Lifetime Achievement Award of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Cecille B DeMille Award for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment field. His finest hour was the British government's knighthood awarded in July 2000.

Connery certainly has come a long way from his arduous early days of struggle. In the process, he has garnered a huge number of fans all over the world.

Today is Sean Connery's 74th birthday.

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent