It looks like 2020 has taken yet another film legend. Former James Bond actor Sean Connery has just passed away at the age of 90.
BBC reports that Sean Connery has died peacefully in his sleep while in the Bahamas with his family, According to son Jason Connery, his father has been "unwell for some time."
Jason Connery released a statement to BBC. "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," the younger Connery said. "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."
Sean Connery was born in Fountainbridge in Edinburgh and he first played James Bond in Dr No in 1962. Connery would go on to appear in five other official films including From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds Are Forever. He also portrayed 007 in the unofficial James Bond movie Never Say Never Again.
In addition to the James Bond movies, Sean Connery was known for films like Highlander, The Name of the Rose, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the last of which would be his final film role. Connery would lend his voice in the 2012 animated film Sir Billi, which was retitled Guardian of the Highlands in the US.
Scotland Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon released an emotional statement honoring Sean Connery. "I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons," Sturgeon said.
"Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world's most accomplished actors. Sean will be remembered best as James Bond - the classic 007 - but his roles were many and varied," Sturgeon continued.
"He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot -- his towering presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth. Sean was a lifelong advocate of an independent Scotland and those of us who share that belief owe him a great debt of gratitude," the Prime Minister concluded.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed. Nevertheless, Sean Connery will forever be remembered as the greatest James Bond that ever was.
