Sir Sean Connery: The Definitive Biography

by John Parker

He was one of the world's true superstars, and the silver screen's most beloved James Bond.

Sir Sean Connery—a proud Scotsman born in 1930 to a working-class family—died at home in the Bahamas on October 31, 2020. He left behind him a legacy to rival any actor. Connery bestrode Hollywood like a Colossus. He commanded some of the highest fees in the industry and was lauded by critics and the public alike. In July 2000, his unique contribution to the world of film was recognized when he was accorded a knighthood.

John Parker traces the astonishing rise to stardom of a tough street kid from Edinburgh. The part of 007 became a monster that threatened to kill Connery as an actor; he escaped to establish himself as one of the world's most magnetic and commanding character actors, winning an Oscar for his role in iconic crime drama The Untouchables. The author has drawn on reminiscences of famous friends and colleagues, including Honor Blackman, Robert Hardy, and Eric Sykes, to create an authoritative and entertaining portrait of a talented, complex actor—and, above all else, a magnificent man.

Genres: Biography, History

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2021

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Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would be even worse at doing anything else." - Sean Connery

First, a minor nitpick - although given the subtitle 1930-2020 / The Definitive Biography this is a reissue of a 2005 release, which was initially published shortly after Mr. Connery announced his retirement from the silver screen. So the final fifteen years of his life and his death are not covered in this book. That said, it was still a very good biography of the proudly Scottish actor. On the surface his stardom would seem unlikely, like possibly something straight from a movie script - born Tommy Connery (a.k.a. 'Big Tam' to friends in his younger days) in the working class suburbs of Edinborough, he cycled through various menial labor jobs and a stint in the Royal Navy as a young man. Almost as an afterthought, he was cast due to his physique in the mens' chorus of a big stage show which was touring the U.K. He scraped along for a few years - even starring in a live-action Disney film - but true fame (with all of the good and bad parts about it) soon came calling in a big way via agent 007.

Connery would have a love/hate relationship with his 'Bondage,' it was the jetpack that provided him international stardom and, although it took a few decades to actually happen, he eventually was able to establish a respectable second-act to his career with roles like tough streetwise cop Jimmy Malone in The Untouchables (winning him Oscar gold in '87), renegade Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius in The Hunt For Red October, the reclusive writer William Forrester in Finding Forrester and the beloved intelligent man-of-action Dr. Henry Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. (And let's put it this way - could you possibly imagine ANYONE else performing those parts other than Connery?) Since Connery was not overly fond of the intrusive press, author Parker seems like he put a lot of hard work into research and interviewing Connery's friends to craft this thorough biography.

[F.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old biography repackaged after Connery’s death. I’m sure a more definitive work will one day appear.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a long time to really get into it, picked it up and put it down again several times over the year. Finally got into it and did enjoy it. No spoilers, an interesting read.

[Collin Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. There are few actors who have managed to achieve the same mythos of charisma and style as Connery and certainly none that have ever truly reached the same level. Parker’s biography paints the portrait of a man who refused to stand still long enough to be painted in a way that humanizes him while retaining his larger than life status.

[Francesco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an old biography of Sean Connery, repackage after his passing. It doesn't add anything that any fan would already know. Connery was a very private man and very little is known about his thinking, his personal choice, and private life. This book does not shed any new light [and includes some unforgivable mistakes like saying the JFK's favorite Fleming novel was Thunderball, when everyone knows it was From Russia with Love]. As in other accounts, Connery emerges as a rather difficult character, but always very professional and committed to his work. Fellow actors only have nice things to say about him. Producers, agents, and journalists on the other hand, have quite the opposite opinion, but these were professional categories for which Connery held very little consideration (and fought all his life). What remains a mystery is his rather eclectic career choices. With some wonderful exceptions, Connery had a propensity to choose weak screenplays, almost to prove he could savage anything with his stardom. A theory could be advanced that this was a reaction to his experience as James Bond, for which the producer Broccoli never recognized his contribution (he hired an unknown Australian model to replace Connery, almost to prove the point that Connery was not relevant to the series' success). I hope someone will write a really definitive biography of Connery in which more can be understood of the man and the actor.

[Oscar O'Sullivan]

After establishing a lot of colour with the description of Connery’s background this very quickly becomes an in-depth rattling-off of his entire film career, which is fine because I find that kind of thing really interesting, but don’t come into this expecting a load of sordid personal stories. Also strangely just stops dead at his retirement without mentioning why he retired, or really even the fact that he did retire, just says that he made league of extraordinary gentleman and then does a quick wrap-up in a page and a half.

[Ben]

I hope this isn't the definitive biography, because there's a lot to be desired. I enjoyed it as a brief overview of the man's life and career but little of the real person's flaws and contradictions are allowed to shine through. Feels like a hasty reprint to take advantage of Connery's death in 2020

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay biography of a very private person, so it relies on statements from those who knew Connery. However, for the "definitive biography" it claims to be, with this edition having Connery's death year on the cover, it doesn't deal with Connery's last years at all and the final paragraph is written as though Connery is still alive.

[Donna Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing new about Sean as very private person

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit closer to hagiography than biography for my liking.

[James Haigh-Kenworthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great biography with a deep insight into Connery. I thought there'd be a few BTS tales and the book did go on too long in the end.
Would recommend for fans of his

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books where you learn more than what you thought you already knew but also makes you want to aspire to be a better person in life. Inspiring.. The only thing it lacks is bringing to life Connery’s sense of humour.