This former milk man, hailed by People magazine as 1989’s sexiest man alive, is perhaps best known as the original James Bond. Unlike others who have played this role, however, his career lasted long after his final stint as the sexy secret agent.

Sean Thomas Connery was born on August 5^th, 1930 in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. Before becoming an iconic film star, Sean held a long list of positions, including labourer, lifeguard, artist’s model, and Mr. Universe finalist. Upon a suggestion from a friend, he successfully auditioned for the stage production South Pacific, which led to more small parts, and eventually saw him moving on to telelvision and film. Although he had leading role in several films such as No Road Back and Darby O’Gill and the Little People prior to 1962, it was Connery’s first performance as James Bond in Dr. No that would propel Connery to superstardom. During his career, Connery has appeared as Bond in an incredible seven films, including Goldfinger, Thunderball and Connery’s personal favorite, the critically-acclaimed From Russia With Love. Although others took on the role after his departure, he is still regarded by most as the best to ever play the part.

Sean continued to make other films, such as A Fine Madness and The Hill along with his Bond movies, but they went relatively unnoticed. After finally leaving his best-known role, it was a concern that Connery may not be able to branch out as he had been practically assimilated with his character. This would not be the case, however, and Connery’s talent allowed him to deliver impressive performances in many films. Among his most notable post-Bond films are The Name of the Rose, which earned him a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award, Highlander, and the 1987 The Untouchables, for which he earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Connery is also well-known as Harrison Ford’s father in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In the last number of years, he has appeared in Finding Forrester and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Rumors of his retirement from film were confirmed by Connery in March of 2006. Honors for his incredible career include a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema, an American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, the Legion d’honneur, Kennedy Center Honors, as well as a knighthood.

Connery has also been involved in charity work, particularly those supporting Scottish causes. He was a major contributor to the Scottish National Party and created his own Scottish charity, several times donating half or even all of his movie salaries to support his causes.

Although Sean is much-loved by many, his life has not been free of controversy. He married Diane Cilento, an Australian actress, in 1962. Before their messy divorce in 1973, she gave birth to their son, Jason. In her post-split tell-all book, Diane claimed that she was a victim of frequent abuse during their marriage, a claim which Connery denies. Connery married again in 1975, this time to Micheline Roquebrune. The couple has been married for over thirty years.