The Scottish actor, Sean Connery, best known for his portrayal of James Bond, has died aged 90.
Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep while in the Bahamas, having been “unwell for some time”, his son, Jason Connery, said.
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The multiple award-winning Scottish actor is best known for 007 role in seven spy thrillers.
Jason, also an actor, told BBC that his father died overnight while in the Bahamas with many of his family beside him.
“We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.
“A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor,” he said.
About Connery
His acting career spanned five decades and he won an Oscar in 1988 for his role in The Untouchables.
Sir Sean’s other films included: The Hunt for Red October, Highlander, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Rock.
Born Thomas Sean Connery in 1930, he grew up in the tough Fountain bridge area of Edinburgh and left school at 14 to work as a milkman for the Co-op.
In 1948, he joined the Royal Navy, but was later discharged on medical grounds.
He began bodybuilding aged 18, and got work as a life model, among many jobs, and entered the Mr Universe contest in 1953, though he did not win.
Having been interested in acting for some time, Connery used his Mr Universe visit to London to audition for a stage version of South Pacific, and landed a role in the chorus.
The original Bond
Sir Sean, first played James Bond in Dr No in 1962 and went on to appear in five other official films – and the unofficial Never Say Never Again in 1983.
He was largely regarded as being the best actor to have played 007 in the long-running franchise, often being named as such in polls.
He was knighted by the Queen at Holyrood Palace in 2000.
In August, he celebrated his 90th birthday.
Bond producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, said they were “devastated by the news”.
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