If one were to think of Sean Connery today, they will point to one of the most prominent names in the film industry. With his passing on Halloween night, one should discover the career he had. Stuff that was small, but serviceable. Being able to sustain a career, especially when you get to the mid 80s and his resurgence for a decade. He carved out a career that everyone can look at and be rather pleased at most of his roles.
That prominent name of course is James Bond. And Connery was the first one to portray Ian Fleming's character when Dr. No first came out in 1962. After many television show appearances in the UK, you can say this was his first major break. He wound up playing the character six more times. It had a formula on what to do. You had puns, catchphrases. There was interesting gadgetry, cars, the Bond girls. It made the spy genre very attractive. This was when programs like Man of U.N.C.L.E. and the parody Get Smart appearing thanks to Bond. Over 30 years later, you have the Austin Powers movies that lampoon how ridiculous those early films were.
With that role being attractive, it would be hard to get roles without being typecast. That is something for many in Hollywood. Connery was still finding roles after Bond. There's The Great Train Robbery. He was Robin Hood in Robin and Marian. Consistently finding work in the 70s and early 80s. But then you look at what he got from 1986 through at least 96, he was in the spotlight for different reasons. Highlander for one. Being part of The Untouchables in 87. Indiana Jones in 89 as Indy's father. The bad guy in The Hunt for Red October, the first major Jack Ryan film. Of course, Connery slowed down, but still able to do Rising Sun, The Rock. Even in 2000 with Finding Forrester. A couple more films and he retired from acting. Point is, he put out an even bigger legacy with the efforts of playing different types of characters.
When you think about Connery, think about his other roles. He was more than just James Bond.
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