When Sean Connery passed in October 2020, tributes poured in from the biggest players in the entertainment industry. It shouldn't be surprising that Connery, a veteran of seven decades of acting, comprising roles in The Man Who Would Be King, The Untouchables, The Hunt for Red October, The Rock, and the original James Bond films, elicited noteworthy responses. But what might be surprising is the diversity of responses. The handsome, hyper-masculine, serious performer was that and much more behind the scenes, as so many of his directors, writers, producers, and co-stars have pointed out.
Take a look at how everyone from Nicolas Cage to George Lucas to Roger Moore described Sir Sean regarding these intimate Sean Connery stories.
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David Mamet Said That While Filming ‘The Untouchables,’ Connery Personally Called His Cousin Who Was Going Through Hard Times To Cheer Her Up
Underneath Sean Connery's tough exterior was a sensitive man capable of providing emotional support. One such incident was beautifully described by The Untouchables writer David Mamet:
During post-production, [Sean] was in Majorca, and we made a date to speak on the phone. Before our scheduled call, my cousin called. She was in Ohio with a failed marriage, a husband who’d just lost his job, and, no doubt, the attendant kids down sick. In any case, she was beyond despair. I told her I’d have to get off the phone as I was expecting a call from Sean Connery, and I’d call her back after the business call. "Give him my love" [the cousin said]. "Please; I adore him. Tell him first thing."
Then Sean called. I said, "My cousin adores you." He asked about her, and I sighed, and told him the tale of her troubles. "What’s her number?" [Connery said]. I gave it to him, he rang off, called her in Ohio, and chatted for half an hour. Rest in Peace.
One of a kind? - 2
George Lucas Said Connery Was The Only Actor Who Could Credibly Put Indiana Jones In His Place
George Lucas worked with Sean Connery on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and he paid the Scottish actor the highest compliment (save for one that compared him to Han Solo, maybe...):
Sir Sean Connery, through his talent and drive, left an indelible mark in cinematic history. His audiences spanned generations, each with favorite roles he played. He will always hold a special place in my heart as Indy’s dad. With an air of intelligent authority and sly sense of comedic mischief, only someone like Sean Connery could render Indiana Jones immediately into boyish regret or relief through a stern fatherly chiding or rejoiceful hug. I’m thankful for having had the good fortune to have known and worked with him. My thoughts are with his family.
One of a kind? - 3
Michael Bay Said Connery Stood Up For Him, Even When He Was A Young Director Who Was Obviously Intimidated
Michael Bay was 30 when he was hired to direct the screen legend in The Rock. Unsurprisingly, he was intimidated:
I was young-dumb, doing my second movie, The Rock. I had heard he was notoriously tough on directors. I was terrified when I gave him my first direction: "Uh, Sean, can you please do that less charming?" He said, "Sure, boy!" "Boy" was the nickname he gave me.
When Bay was in trouble with the studio for running behind schedule, Connery also invited himself into a meeting with the executives, proclaimed "This boy is doing a good job, and you’re living in your Disney f***ing Ivory Tower, and we need more f***ing money!!" And that was the end of that discussion.
One of a kind? - 4
Alec Baldwin Called Connery ‘The Most Impressive Combination Of Actor And Star I’ve Ever Seen’
Sean Connery's Hunt for Red October co-star Alec Baldwin commented on his star power and emphasized his stardom was proportional to his talent:
...Like a lot of stars, he knew that people meeting him had to sort of take in the fact that they were talking to "Sean Connery." But he was nice enough to let you sort of get that out of your system. He’d let you adjust: "Yes, it’s me. I’m Sean Connery. [pause] Now, someone say action." ...Sean was always the most impressive combination of actor and star that I’ve ever seen.
One of a kind? - 5
Screenwriter Brian Koppelman Recalled How Connery, Even In His 70s, Was Still Preparing For Roles With More Detail Than The Film's Director
In 2004, Brian Koppelman and David Levien were hired to rewrite a movie starring Sean Connery, with whom they were scheduled to take a meeting to discuss the character. What followed is perhaps a better encapsulation of the infamous actor than all others. Koppelman told the story on Twitter, parts of which are posted below:
"Okay," we say, "what are the instructions?" "Sean will tell you himself." "Great!" we say, "Is there a conference call with the director and studio and Sir Sean and us?" "No. Sir Sean is in New York. He will come to your office and give you his notes."
...We do what we can and then get the call. He's coming at 9AM the next morning. So we do what you'd have done - we get a sliced fruit platter and put it out with some paper plates.
9AM on the damn button, a knock at the door. And there he is, wearing a hat similar to the one from The Untouchables. "I'm Sean. Throw a Sir on that and watch me walk out the door." "Yes, sir, I mean, Mr. Connery, I mean... would you like some fruit? A slice of pineapple, maybe?"
A smile comes to his face. He sees what this means to us. "I'd love some fruit. That's kind of you." He sits down, and we go to work. He has incredibly smart notes on every page. These are not notes from our draft. They are from the prior draft. He's telling us the movie he wants.
"Should we get the studio or director on the speaker phone?' "No. You'll tell 'em what we're gonna do." We spend the day working. He then says one of our favorite lines ever. "That's about half the thing. Let's have a sh*t, shave, and shower, and back at it."
Next day, boom, 9AM he's there and we keep going. He shakes our hand goodbye and tells us to get going. He's headed back to the Bahamas and will await pages. No emailed draft. He wants paper.
He also rips up his notes. We are the only ones who know what version he wants. The studio wants us to start. But we say, we've already done a whole draft. "Yeah, but that's not the movie anymore," they say.
Right, we say, but, look, we can't do this work for free. It's a complete rewrite. They say, "Tell us what he wants. Give us the notes." We say, "You understand why we are reluctant. You could have been there. The director could have been. But you weren't."
...Long before we met Sean Connery, we were enormous fans. That adventure with him, even though it ended without a movie, remains an all-time highlight. He was brilliant, honest, suffered no fools, and never missed a call, meeting, conversation. Rip to one of the all-time greats.
One of a kind? - 6
Julia Ormond Said He Had The Commanding Presence You Expect But Was Also ‘Very Gentle’
Although Connery has been portrayed - and portrayed himself - as a rough, macho man, his young co-star in First Knight came away with a different impression. Julia Ormond describes him in a few familiar ways before adding a twist:
Sexy? God, yes. As a kid, he was always my favorite Bond. Then you meet him, and he has this very powerful presence. He’s totally in command. But he’s also very gentle.
One of a kind?
