Sean Connery: Why the James Bond actor retired from films

Sean Connery – arguably the greatest ever James Bond – has died aged 90.

The Scottish actor leaves an impressive list of credits to his name, including The Man Who Would be King – in which he starred alongside Michael Caine – Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Despite a voice role in the 2012 animated film Sir Billi, the Oscar winner has been absent from the screen since 2003. 

'No Road Back' (1957)

The first major film role for the 27-year-old Connery was in this British crime film, in which he played a petty criminal with a speech impediment.

'Action of the Tiger' (1957)

A supporting role for Connery, but a fortuitous one. The film's director, Terence Young, would reunite with the young actor for a film called 'Dr No.'

'Hell Drivers' (1957)

This gritty film noir featured several actors who went on to enjoy more glittering careers, among them Patrick McGoohan, David McCallum, Jill Ireland, and of course, Connery himself.

'Another Time, Another Place' (1958)

Pictured with co-star Lana Turner during a break in the filming of 'Another Time, Another Place.' Apparently, Connery had a run-in off set with Turner's then boyfriend, and was threatened with a gun. Connery grabbed the pistol and wrenched it out of his hand.

'The Frightened City' (1961)

By now, critics were sitting up and noticing the burgeoning actor. Connery's character in this film was described by Variety as "rugged" but charming, "with an eye for the ladies."

Charitable causes

A British Film Institute handout of Sean Connery in a 1962 promotional film to aid fundraising for the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

The beginning of Bond

Connery's success in clinching the role of Ian Fleming's secret agent owed much to Dana Broccoli, wife of legendary producer "Cubby" Broccoli, who persuaded her husband that the tall, dark, and dangerous Scotsman was the right man for the part.

'From Russia With Love' (1963)

Connery's second role as the tall, dark, and dangerous MI6 agent was an even bigger hit. This movie took more than US$78 million in worldwide box office receipts. That's a whopping US$664 million in 2018 figures, adjusted for inflation.

'Marnie' (1964)

Many equate Connery's 1960's film career as being about Bond. That being said, he made several movies between his stints as 007. One of these was this psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and co-starring Tippi Hedren.

'Goldfinger' (1964)

The majority of movie critics cite this third movie in the 007 series as the best of Connery's Bond interpretations, a claim no doubt reinforced by the celebrated gold body paint death scene.

'The Hill' (1965)

Directed by Sidney Lumet, this Second World War prison drama received a slew of BAFTA nominations and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. It allowed Connery to expand his acting range far beyond Bond, and called for a change of pace the actor was yearning for.

'You Only Live Twice' (1967)

During filming, it was announced that Connery would be quitting the role of 007. However, he would later change his mind.

Bond is back!

...Then Bond made a comeback! Connery returned to the screen as 007, lured by a huge fee.

'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971)

Not Connery's best Bond, 'Diamonds Are Forever' garnered mixed reviews with many critics, noting the actor's lackluster performance. In fact, the most positive reaction was reserved for the Las Vegas car chase sequence.

'The Wind and the Lion' (1975)

Connery was back on form with this historical adventure. Set in Morocco in the early 20th century, the film, directed by John Milius, was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Second marriage

Connery has been married to Moroccan-French painter Micheline Roquebrune since 1975. They are pictured together in 1983. His first wife was Diane Cilento.

'The Name of the Rose' (1986)

Enjoying something of a 1980's renaissance, Connery won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in this hugely appealing historical whodunnit, based on the novel by Umberto Eco.

'The Untouchables' (1987)

Continuing his winning streak, Connery walked off with the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jimmy Malone in this all-star, smash-hit gangster film.

Oscar winner

Sean Connery holds up his Oscar after winning the Best Supporting Actor at the 60th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California.

'The Presidio' (1988)

Connery, booted and suited, looked the part in this crime drama, but the film received mixed reviews.

'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)

The actor wrapped up the 1980s with another star turn, this time as the father of Harrison Ford's swashbuckling character. Connery received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for his efforts.

'The Hunt for Red October' (1990)

Commencing the 1990s as he'd left the '80s, Connery was nominated as Best Actor by BAFTA for his commanding role as the rogue captain of a Soviet submarine.

More honors

Connery shows off the Cecil B. DeMille Golden Globe award he won for lifetime achievement at the 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, in January 1996.

Arise, Sir Sean Connery!

Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the Picture Gallery of Holyrood Palace, Scotland, on July 5, 2000.

Retirement from acting

The actor at 34th AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Sir Sean Connery, held at the Kodak Theatre. During his acceptance speech, Connery announced his retirement from the profession.

Life after retirement

Connery at the 2015 US Open in New York, USA.

Santa Claus

Looking the part as Santa during a charity Christmas appearance.

But why did he retire? While it has never been confirmed, it seems that his final film was such an arduous experience, it turned him away from making another one.

The production of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a disaster – and one of 2003’s biggest flops. Connery made no secret of his dislike for director Stephen Norrington, saying at the time that he should be “locked up for insanity”.

Noticing how bad the film was, Connery jumped in and got “heavily involved in editing and trying to salvage” the work.

Sean Connery in 2003 flop ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’Rex Features

His interest was piqued by the idea of returning as Henry Jones Sr in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Connery himself admitted in a statement posted on his website: “If anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it would have been an Indiana Jones film. But in the end, retirement is just too much fun.”

It is believed he had some creative decisions with Spielberg regarding the character, which prompted him to drop out of discussions.

 Sean Connery considered returning as Henry Jones Sr in ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’

Caine – his friend and former co-star – also suggested another reason for Connery’s decision.

“The movie business retired him because he didn’t want to play small parts about old men and they weren’t offering him any young parts in romantic leads,” he said.

Caine also verified Connery’s retirement in 2011, saying: “He won’t make another film now – I just asked him. He said, ‘No, I’ll never do it.’”