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The Postcard
A postcard bearing no publisher's name that was posted in Par, Cornwall using a 1d. stamp on Monday the 25th. August 1930. It was sent to:
C. F. Baker Esq.,
'Hedgerow',
Russell Grove,
Westbury Park,
Bristol.
The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:
"Sunday.
35, Par Green,
Par, Cornwall.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Baker,
This is as quiet a place as
anyone could wish for - a
beautiful little bay & nice
sands.
We have the use of a hut
on the beach.
The Westermans wanted
me to preach, but I fear I
could not have stood in my
own pulpit today.
We have been thinking of
you all, and hope you are
having a good day.
Love to all from both,
S & B."
Kingswear
Kingswear is a village in the South Hams area of Devon. The village is located on the east bank of the tidal River Dart, close to the river's mouth, and opposite the small town of Dartmouth. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has a population of 1,332.
Kingswear is noted for being the railhead for Dartmouth, a role continued to this day by the presence of the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway in the village. Two vehicle ferries and one pedestrian ferry provide links to Dartmouth.
The village itself contains several small tourist-oriented shops and public houses, and is home to the Royal Dart Yacht Club. Kingswear Castle, a privately owned 15th. century artillery tower, is situated on the outskirts.
Kingswear also contains the Church of St. Thomas, which is a member of the Anglican Diocese of Exeter and whose patron saint is Saint Thomas of Canterbury.
Sir Sean Connery
So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?
Well, the 25th. August 1930 marked the birth in Edinburgh of Sean Connery.
Sir Sean Connery, who was born Thomas Sean Connery, was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983.
Originating the role in Dr. No, Connery played Bond in six of Eon Productions' entries, and made his final Bond appearance in the non-Eon-produced Never Say Never Again.
If non-Eon-produced Bond movies are included, Connery shares the record for the most portrayals as James Bond with Roger Moore (with seven apiece).
Following Sean's third appearance as Bond in Goldfinger (1964), in June 1965, Time magazine observed:
"James Bond has developed into the
biggest mass-cult hero of the decade".
Connery began acting in smaller theatre and television productions until his break-out role as Bond. Although he did not enjoy the off-screen attention the role gave him, the success of the Bond films brought Connery offers from notable directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet and John Huston.
Their films in which Connery appeared included Marnie (1964), The Hill (1965), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and The Man Who Would Be King (1975).
He also appeared in A Bridge Too Far (1977), Highlander (1986), The Name of the Rose (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Dragonheart (1996), The Rock (1996), Finding Forrester (2000), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
Connery officially retired from acting in 2006, although he briefly returned for voice-over roles in 2012.
His achievements in film were recognised with an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (including the BAFTA Fellowship), and three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award and a Henrietta Award.
In 1987, Sean was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, and he received the US Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 1999. Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama.
Sean Connery - The Early Years
Thomas Connery was born at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was named after his paternal grandfather.
He was brought up at No. 176 Fountainbridge, a block which has since been demolished. His mother, Euphemia McBain "Effie" McLean, was a cleaning woman. Connery's father, Joseph Connery, was a factory worker and lorry driver.
His father was a Roman Catholic, and his mother was a Protestant. Connery had a younger brother Neil, and was generally referred to in his youth as "Tommy".
Although Sean was small in primary school, he grew rapidly around the age of 12, reaching his full adult height of 6 ft. 2 in. (188 cm) at 18. Connery was known during his teen years as "Big Tam", and he said that he lost his virginity to an adult woman in an ATS uniform at the age of 14.
He had an Irish childhood friend named Séamus; when the two were together, those who knew them both called Connery by his middle name Sean, emphasising the alliteration of the two names. Since then Connery preferred to use his middle name.
Connery's first job was as a milkman in Edinburgh with St. Cuthbert's Co-operative Society. In 2009, Connery recalled a conversation in a taxi:
"When I took a taxi during a recent Edinburgh
Film Festival, the driver was amazed that I
could put a name to every street we passed.
"How come?" he asked. "As a boy I used to
deliver milk round here", I said. "So what do
you do now?" That was rather harder to
answer."
In 1946, at the age of 16, Connery joined the Royal Navy, during which time he acquired two tattoos. Connery's official website says:
"Unlike many tattoos, his were not frivolous –
his tattoos reflect two of his lifelong
commitments: his family and Scotland. One
tattoo is a tribute to his parents, and reads
'Mum and Dad', and the other is self-explanatory,
'Scotland Forever'".
Sean trained in Portsmouth at the naval gunnery school and in an anti-aircraft crew. He was later assigned as an Able Seaman on HMS Formidable.
Connery was discharged from the navy at the age of 19 on medical grounds because of a duodenal ulcer, a condition that affected most of the males in previous generations of his family.
Afterwards, he returned to the Co-op and worked as a lorry driver, a lifeguard at Portobello swimming baths, a labourer, an artist's model for the Edinburgh College of Art, and after a suggestion by former Mr. Scotland Archie Brennan, as a coffin polisher, among other jobs.
The modelling earned him 15 shillings an hour. Artist Richard Demarco, at the time a student who painted several early pictures of Connery, described him as:
"Very straight, slightly shy, too,
too beautiful for words, a virtual
Adonis".
Connery began bodybuilding at the age of 18, and from 1951 trained heavily with Ellington, a former gym instructor in the British Army. While his official website states he was third in the 1950 Mr. Universe contest, most sources place him in the 1953 competition, either third in the Junior class or failing to place in the Tall Man classification.
Connery said that he was soon deterred from bodybuilding when he found that Americans frequently beat him in competitions because of sheer muscle size and, unlike Connery, refused to participate in athletic activity which could make them lose muscle mass.
Connery was a keen footballer, having played for Bonnyrigg Rose in his younger days. He was offered a trial with East Fife.
While on tour with South Pacific, Connery played in a football match against a local team that Matt Busby, manager of Manchester United, happened to be scouting. According to reports, Busby was impressed with Sean's physical prowess, and offered Connery a contract worth £25 a week (equivalent to £743 in 2021) immediately after the game. Connery said he was tempted to accept, but he recalls,
"I realised that a top-class footballer could
be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was
already 23. I decided to become an actor,
and it turned out to be one of my more
intelligent moves".
Sean Connery's Acting Career
(a) Pre-James Bond
Seeking to supplement his income, Connery helped out backstage at the King's Theatre in late 1951. During a bodybuilding competition held in London in 1953, one of the competitors mentioned that auditions were being held for a production of South Pacific, and Connery landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys.
By the time the production reached Edinburgh, he had been given the part of Marine Cpl. Hamilton Steeves, and was understudying two of the juvenile leads, and his salary was raised from £12 to £14–10s a week.
The production returned the following year, out of popular demand, and Connery was promoted to the featured role of Lieutenant Buzz Adams, which Larry Hagman had portrayed in the West End.
While in Edinburgh, Connery was targeted by the Valdor gang, one of the most violent in the city. He was first approached by them in a billiard hall where he prevented them from stealing his jacket and was later followed by six gang members to a 15-foot-high (4.6 m) balcony at the Palais de Danse.
There, Connery singlehandedly launched an attack against the gang members, grabbing one by the throat and another by the biceps and cracking their heads together. From then on, he was treated with great respect by the gang and gained a reputation as a "hard man".
Connery first met Michael Caine at a party during the production of South Pacific in 1954, and the two later became close friends. During this production at the Opera House, Manchester, over the Christmas period of 1954, Connery developed a serious interest in the theatre through American actor Robert Henderson, who lent him copies of the Ibsen works Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck, and When We Dead Awaken, and later listed works by the likes of Proust, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Bernard Shaw, Joyce, and Shakespeare for him to digest.
Henderson urged Sean to take elocution lessons, and got him parts at the Maida Vale Theatre in London. He had already begun a film career, having been an extra in Herbert Wilcox's 1954 musical Lilacs in the Spring alongside Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle.
Although Connery had secured several roles as an extra, he was struggling to make ends meet, and was forced to accept a part-time job as a babysitter for journalist Peter Noble and his actress wife Marianne, which earned him 10 shillings a night.
One night at Noble's house Sean met Hollywood actress Shelley Winters, who described Connery as:
"One of the tallest and most charming
and masculine Scotsmen I have ever
seen."
Shelley later spent many evenings with the Connery brothers drinking beer. Around this time, Connery was residing at TV presenter Llew Gardner's house.
Henderson landed Connery a role in a £6 a week Q Theatre production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution, during which he met and became friends with fellow Scot Ian Bannen.
This role was followed by Point of Departure and A Witch in Time at Kew, a role as Pentheus opposite Yvonne Mitchell in The Bacchae at the Oxford Playhouse, and a role opposite Jill Bennett in Eugene O'Neill's play Anna Christie.
During his time at the Oxford Theatre, Connery won a brief part as a boxer in the TV series The Square Ring, before being spotted by Canadian director Alvin Rakoff, who gave him multiple roles in The Condemned, shot on location in Dover in Kent.
In 1956, Connery appeared in the theatrical production of Epitaph, and played a minor role as a hoodlum in the "Ladies of the Manor" episode of the BBC Television police series Dixon of Dock Green.
This was followed by small television parts in Sailor of Fortune and The Jack Benny Program (in a special episode filmed in Europe).
In early 1957, Connery hired agent Richard Hatton, who got him his first film role, as Spike, a minor gangster with a speech impediment in Montgomery Tully's No Road Back.
In April 1957, Rakoff – after being disappointed by Jack Palance – decided to give the young actor his first chance in a leading role, and cast Connery as Mountain McLintock in BBC Television's production of Requiem for a Heavyweight, which also starred Warren Mitchell and Jacqueline Hill.
Sean then played a rogue lorry driver, Johnny Yates, in Cy Endfield's Hell Drivers (1957) alongside Stanley Baker, Herbert Lom, Peggy Cummins, and Patrick McGoohan.
Later in 1957, Connery appeared in Terence Young's poorly received MGM action picture Action of the Tiger; the film was shot on location in southern Spain.
He also had a minor role in Gerald Thomas's thriller Time Lock (1957) as a welder, appearing alongside Robert Beatty, Lee Patterson, Betty McDowall, and Vincent Winter. This commenced filming on the 1st. December 1956 at Beaconsfield Studios.
Connery had a major role in the melodrama Another Time, Another Place (1958) as a British reporter named Mark Trevor, caught in a love affair opposite Lana Turner and Barry Sullivan.
During filming, Turner's possessive gangster boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, who was visiting from Los Angeles, believed she was having an affair with Connery. Connery and Turner had attended West End shows and London restaurants together.
Stompanato stormed onto the film set and pointed a gun at Connery, only to have Connery disarm him and knock him flat on his back. Stompanato was banned from the set. Two Scotland Yard detectives advised Stompanato to leave and escorted him to the airport, where he boarded a plane back to the United States.
Connery later recounted that he had to lay low for a while after receiving threats from men linked to Stompanato's boss, Mickey Cohen.
In 1959, Connery landed a leading role in director Robert Stevenson's Walt Disney Productions film Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959). The film is a tale about a wily Irishman and his battle of wits with leprechauns.
Upon the film's initial release, A. H. Weiler of The New York Times praised the cast (save Connery whom he described as "merely tall, dark, and handsome") and thought the film:
"An overpoweringly charming concoction
of standard Gaelic tall stories, fantasy and
romance."
Sean also had prominent television roles in Rudolph Cartier's 1961 productions of Adventure Story and Anna Karenina for BBC Television, co-starring with Claire Bloom in the latter.
Also in 1961 he portrayed the title role in a CBC television film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth with Australian actress Zoe Caldwell cast as Lady Macbeth.
(b) James Bond: 1962–1971, 1983
Connery's breakthrough came in the role of British secret agent James Bond. He was reluctant to commit to a film series, but understood that if the films succeeded, his career would greatly benefit.
Between 1962 and 1967, Connery played 007 in Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice, the first five Bond films produced by Eon Productions.
After departing from the role, Connery returned for the seventh film, Diamonds Are Forever, in 1971. Connery made his final appearance as Bond in Never Say Never Again, a 1983 remake of Thunderball produced by Jack Schwartzman's Taliafilm.
All seven films were commercially successful. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute.
Connery's selection for the role of James Bond owed a lot to Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, who is reputed to have been instrumental in persuading her husband that Connery was the right man.
James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, originally doubted Connery's casting, saying:
"He's not what I envisioned of James
Bond looks. I'm looking for Commander
Bond and not an overgrown stunt-man."
He added that Connery (muscular, 6' 2", and a Scot) was unrefined. However Fleming's girlfriend Blanche Blackwell told Fleming that Connery had the requisite sexual charisma, and Fleming changed his mind after the successful Dr. No première.
He was so impressed, he wrote Connery's heritage into the character. In his 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, Fleming wrote that Bond's father was Scottish and from Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
Connery's portrayal of Bond owes much to stylistic tutelage from director Terence Young, who helped polish him while using his physical grace and presence for the action.
Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny, related that:
"Terence took Sean under his wing.
He took him to dinner, showed him
how to walk, how to talk, even how
to eat".
The tutoring was successful; Connery received thousands of fan letters a week after Dr. No's opening, and he became a major sex symbol in film.
Following the release of the film Dr. No in 1962, the line "Bond ... James Bond", became a catch phrase in the lexicon of Western popular culture. Film critic Peter Bradshaw writes:
"It is the most famous self-introduction
from any character in movie history.
Three cool monosyllables, surname first,
a little curtly, as befits a former naval
commander.
And then, as if in afterthought, the first
name, followed by the surname again.
Connery carried it off with icily disdainful
style, in full evening dress with a cigarette
hanging from his lips.
The introduction was a kind of challenge,
or seduction, invariably addressed to an
enemy.
In the early 60's, Connery's James Bond
was about as dangerous and sexy as it
got on screen."
During the filming of Thunderball in 1965, Connery's life was in danger in the sequence with the sharks in Emilio Largo's pool. He had been concerned about this threat when he read the script.
Connery insisted that Ken Adam build a special Plexiglas partition inside the pool, but this was not a fixed structure, and one of the sharks managed to pass through it. He had to abandon the pool immediately.
(c) Post-James Bond
Although Bond had made him a star, Connery grew tired of the role and the pressure the franchise put on him, saying:
"I am fed up to here with the whole
Bond bit. I have always hated that
damned James Bond. I'd like to kill
him."
Michael Caine said of the situation:
"If you were his friend in these early
days you didn't raise the subject of
Bond. He was, and is, a much better
actor than just playing James Bond,
but he became synonymous with
Bond. He'd be walking down the
street and people would say,
'Look, there's James Bond'.
That was particularly upsetting
to him."
While making the Bond films, Connery also starred in other films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964) and Sidney Lumet's The Hill (1965), which film critic Peter Bradshaw regards as his two great non-Bond pictures from the 1960's.
In Marnie, Connery starred opposite Tippi Hedren. Connery had said he wanted to work with Hitchcock, which Eon arranged through their contacts. Connery shocked many people at the time by asking to see a script, something he did because he was worried about being typecast as a spy, and he did not want to do a variation of North by Northwest or Notorious.
When told by Hitchcock's agent that Cary Grant had not asked to see even one of Hitchcock's scripts, Connery replied:
"I'm not Cary Grant."
Hitchcock and Connery got on well during filming, and Connery said he was happy with the film "with certain reservations".
In The Hill, Connery wanted to act in something that wasn't Bond related, and he used his leverage as a star to feature in it. While the film wasn't a financial success, it was a critical one, debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and winning Best Screenplay.
The first of five films he made with Lumet, Connery considered him to be one of his favourite directors. The respect was mutual, with Lumet saying of Connery's performance in The Hill:
"The thing that was apparent to me –
and to most directors – was how much
talent and ability it takes to play that
kind of character who is based on charm
and magnetism.
It's the equivalent of high comedy, and
he did it brilliantly."
In the mid-1960's, Connery played golf with Scottish industrialist Iain Maxwell Stewart, a connection which led to Connery directing and presenting the documentary film The Bowler and the Bunnet in 1967.
The film described the Fairfield Experiment, a new approach to industrial relations carried out at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Glasgow, during the 1960s; the experiment was initiated by Stewart and supported by George Brown, the First Secretary in Harold Wilson's cabinet, in 1966.
The company was facing closure, and Brown agreed to provide £1 million (£13.135 million; US$15.55 million in 2021 terms) to enable trade unions, the management and the shareholders to try out new ways of industrial management.
Having played Bond six times, Connery's global popularity was such that he shared a Golden Globe Henrietta Award with Charles Bronson for "World Film Favorite – Male" in 1972.
He appeared in John Huston's The Man Who Would Be King (1975) opposite Michael Caine. Playing two former British soldiers who set themselves up as kings in Kafiristan, both actors regarded it as their favourite film.
The same year, Sean appeared in The Wind and the Lion opposite Candice Bergen who played Eden Perdicaris (based on the real-life Perdicaris incident), and in 1976 played Robin Hood in Robin and Marian opposite Audrey Hepburn.
Film critic Roger Ebert, who had praised the double act of Connery and Caine in The Man Who Would Be King, praised Connery's chemistry with Hepburn, writing:
"Connery and Hepburn seem to have
arrived at a tacit understanding
between themselves about their
characters. They glow. They really
do seem in love."
During the 1970's, Connery was part of ensemble casts in films such as Murder on the Orient Express (1974) with Vanessa Redgrave and John Gielgud, and played a British Army general in Richard Attenborough's war film A Bridge Too Far (1977), co-starring with Dirk Bogarde and Laurence Olivier.
In 1974, he starred in John Boorman's sci-fi thriller Zardoz. Often called one of the weirdest and worst movies ever made, it featured Connery in a scarlet mankini – a revealing costume which generated much controversy for its unBond-like appearance.
Despite being panned by critics at the time, the film has developed a cult following since its release. In the audio commentary to the film, Boorman relates how Connery would write poetry in his free time, describing him as:
"A man of great depth and intelligence,
as well as possessing the most
extraordinary memory."
In 1981, Connery appeared in the film Time Bandits as Agamemnon. The casting choice derives from a joke Michael Palin included in the script, which describes the character's removing his mask and being:
"Sean Connery – or someone
of equal but cheaper stature".
When shown the script, Connery was happy to play the supporting role.
In 1981 he portrayed Marshal William T. O'Niel in the science fiction thriller Outland. In 1982, Connery narrated G'olé!, the official film of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
That same year, he was offered the role of Daddy Warbucks in Annie, going as far as taking voice lessons for the John Huston musical before turning down the part.
Connery agreed to reprise Bond as an ageing agent 007 in Never Say Never Again, released in October 1983. The title, contributed by his wife, refers to his earlier statement that he would "never again" return to the role.
Although the film performed well at the box office, it was plagued with production problems: strife between the director and producer, financial problems, the Fleming estate trustees' attempts to halt the film, and Connery's wrist being broken by the fight choreographer, Steven Seagal.
As a result of his negative experiences during filming, Connery became unhappy with the major studios, and did not make any films for two years. Following the successful European production The Name of the Rose (1986), for which he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor, Connery's interest in more commercial material was revived.
That same year, a supporting role in Highlander showcased his ability to play older mentors to younger leads, which became a recurring role in many of his later films.
In 1987, Connery starred in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables, where he played a hard-nosed Irish-American cop alongside Kevin Costner's Eliot Ness. The film also starred Andy Garcia and Robert De Niro as Al Capone.
The film was a critical and box-office success. Many critics praised Connery for his performance, including Roger Ebert, who wrote:
"The best performance in the movie
is Connery. He brings a human element
to his character; he seems to have had
an existence apart from the legend of
the Untouchables, and when he's
onscreen we can believe, briefly, that
the Prohibition Era was inhabited by
people, not caricatures."
For his performance, Connery received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Connery starred in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), playing Henry Jones Sr., the title character's father, and received BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominations. Harrison Ford said Connery's contributions at the writing stage enhanced the film:
"It was amazing for me in how far he got
into the script and went after exploiting
opportunities for character.
His suggestions to George Lucas at the
writing stage really gave the character
and the picture a lot more complexity
and value than it had in the original
screenplay.
Sean's subsequent box-office hits included The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Russia House (1990), The Rock (1996), and Entrapment (1999). In 1996, he voiced the role of Draco the dragon in the film Dragonheart.
He also appeared in a brief cameo as King Richard the Lionheart at the end of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). In 1998, Connery received the BAFTA Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Connery's later films included several box-office and critical disappointments such as First Knight (1995), Just Cause (1995), The Avengers (1998), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
The failure of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was especially frustrating for Connery. He sensed during shooting that the production was "going off the rails", and announced that the director, Stephen Norrington should be "locked up for insanity".
Connery spent considerable effort in trying to salvage the film through the editing process, ultimately deciding to retire from acting rather than go through such stress ever again.
However, he received positive reviews for his performance in Finding Forrester (2000). He also received a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.
In a 2003 UK poll conducted by Channel 4, Connery was ranked eighth on their list of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars.
Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings films, saying he did not understand the script. He was reportedly offered US$30 million along with 15% of the worldwide box office receipts, which would have earned him US$450 million.
He also turned down the opportunity to appear as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series and the Architect in The Matrix trilogy.
In 2005, he recorded voiceovers for the From Russia with Love video game with recording producer Terry Manning in the Bahamas, and provided his likeness. Connery said he was happy the producers, Electronic Arts, had approached him to voice Bond.
(d) Retirement
When Connery received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award on the 8th. June 2006, he confirmed his retirement from acting.
Connery's disillusionment with the "idiots now making films in Hollywood" was cited as a reason for his decision to retire.
On the 7th. June 2007, he denied rumours that he would appear in the fourth Indiana Jones film, saying:
"Retirement is just too
much damned fun."
In 2010, a bronze bust sculpture of Connery was placed in Tallinn, Estonia, outside The Scottish Club, whose membership includes Estonian Scotophiles and a handful of expatriate Scots.
In 2012, Connery briefly came out of retirement to voice the title character in the Scottish animated film Sir Billi. Connery served as executive producer for an expanded 80-minute version.
Sean Connery's Personal Life
During the production of South Pacific in the mid-1950's, Connery dated a Jewish "dark-haired beauty with a ballerina's figure", Carol Sopel, but was warned off by her family.
He then dated Julie Hamilton, daughter of documentary filmmaker and feminist Jill Craigie. Given Connery's rugged appearance and rough charm, Hamilton initially thought he was an appalling person and was not attracted to him until she saw him in a kilt, declaring him to be the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
He also shared a mutual attraction with jazz singer Maxine Daniels, whom he met whilst working in theatre. He made a pass at her, but she told him she was already happily married with a daughter.
Connery was married to actress Diane Cilento from 1962 to 1974, though they separated in 1971. They had a son, actor Jason Joseph. Connery was separated in the early 1970's when he dated Dyan Cannon, Jill St. John, Lana Wood, Carole Mallory, and Magda Konopka.
In her 2006 autobiography, Cilento alleged that he had abused her mentally and physically during their relationship. Connery cancelled an appearance at the Scottish Parliament in 2006 because of controversy over his alleged support of abuse of women.
He denied claims that he told Playboy magazine in 1965:
"I don't think there is anything
particularly wrong in hitting a
woman, though I don't
recommend you do it in the
same way you hit a man".
He was also reported to have stated to Vanity Fair in 1993:
"There are women who take it
to the wire. That's what they are
looking for, the ultimate
confrontation. They want a smack."
In 2006, Connery told The Times of London:
"I don't believe that any level of
abuse of women is ever justified
under any circumstances. Full stop".
When knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 he wore a green-and-black hunting tartan kilt of his mother's MacLean clan.
Connery was married to French-Moroccan painter Micheline Roquebrune (born 4th. April 1929) from 1975 until his death. The marriage survived a well-documented affair Connery had in the late 1980's with the singer and songwriter Lynsey de Paul, which she later regretted due to his views concerning domestic violence.
Connery owned the Domaine de Terre Blanche in the South of France from 1979. He sold it to German billionaire Dietmar Hopp in 1999.
He was awarded an honorary rank of Shodan (1st. dan) in Kyokushin karate.
Connery relocated to the Bahamas in the 1990's; he owned a mansion in Lyford Cay on New Providence.
Connery had a villa in Kranidi, Greece. His neighbour was King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, with whom he shared a helicopter platform.
Growing up, Connery supported the Scottish football club Celtic F.C., having been introduced to the club by his father who was a lifelong fan of the team.
Later in life, Connery switched his loyalty to Celtic's bitter rival, Rangers F.C., after he became close friends with the team's chairman, David Murray.
Sean was a keen golfer, and English professional golfer Peter Alliss gave Connery golf lessons before the filming of the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, which involved a scene where Connery, as Bond, played golf against gold magnate Auric Goldfinger at Stoke Park Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.
The golf scene saw him wear a Slazenger v-neck sweater, a brand which Connery became associated with while playing golf in his free time, with a light grey marl being a favoured colour.
Record major championship winner and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus said:
"He loved the game of golf – Sean
was a pretty darn good golfer! –
and we played together several
times.
In May 1993, Sean and legendary
driver Jackie Stewart helped me
open our design of the PGA
Centenary Course at Gleneagles
in Scotland."
Sean Connery's Political Views
Connery's Scottish roots and his experiences in filming in Glasgow's shipyards in 1966 inspired him to become a member of the centre-left Scottish National Party (SNP), which supports Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
In 2011, Connery said:
"The Bowler and the Bunnet was just
the beginning of a journey that would
lead to my long association with the
Scottish National Party."
Connery supported the party both financially and through personal appearances. In 1967, he wrote to George Leslie, the SNP candidate in the 1967 Glasgow Pollok by-election, saying:
"I am convinced that with our resources
and skills we are more than capable of
building a prosperous, vigorous and
modern self-governing Scotland in which
we can all take pride and which will
deserve the respect of other nations."
His funding of the SNP ceased in 2001, when the UK Parliament passed legislation prohibiting overseas funding of political activities in the United Kingdom.
Dean Connery's Tax Status
In response to accusations that he was a tax exile, Connery released documents in 2003 showing he had paid £3.7 million in UK taxes between 1997 and 1998 and between 2002 and 2003. Critics pointed out that had he been continuously residing in the UK for tax purposes, his tax rate would have been far higher.
In the run-up to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Connery's brother Neil said that Connery would not come to Scotland to rally independence supporters, since his tax exile status greatly limited the number of days he could spend in the country.
After Connery sold his Marbella villa in 1999, Spanish authorities launched a tax evasion investigation, alleging that the Spanish treasury had been defrauded of £5.5 million.
Connery was subsequently cleared by officials, but his wife and 16 others were charged with attempting to defraud the Spanish treasury.
The Death and Legacy of Sean Connery
Connery died in his sleep on the 31st. October 2020, aged 90, at his home in the Lyford Cay community of Nassau in the Bahamas. His death was announced by his family and Eon Productions; although they did not disclose the cause of death, his son Jason said he had been unwell for some time.
A day later, Roquebrune revealed he had suffered from dementia in his final years. Connery's death certificate recorded the cause of death as pneumonia and respiratory failure, and the time of death was listed as 1:30 am.
Sean's remains were cremated, and the ashes were scattered in Scotland at undisclosed locations in 2022.
Following the announcement of his death, many co-stars and figures from the entertainment industry paid tribute to Connery, including Sam Neill, Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Michael Bay, Tippi Hedren, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, George Lucas, Shirley Bassey, Kevin Costner, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Tributes also came from Barbra Streisand, John Cleese, Jane Seymour and Harrison Ford, as well as former Bond stars George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, the family of late former Bond actor Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig, who played 007 until No Time to Die.
Connery's long-time friend Michael Caine called him:
"A great star, brilliant actor
and a wonderful friend".
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli released a statement saying that:
"Connery has revolutionized the world
with his gritty and witty portrayal of the
sexy and charismatic secret agent.
He is undoubtedly largely responsible
for the success of the film series, and
we shall be forever grateful to him".
In 2004, a poll in the UK Sunday Herald recognised Connery as "The Greatest Living Scot," and a 2011 EuroMillions survey named him "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure".
He was voted by People magazine as the "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 and the "Sexiest Man of the Century" in 1999.
Final Thoughts From Sir Sean Connery
"I am not an Englishman, I was never an
Englishman, and I don't ever want to be
one. I am a Scotsman! I was a Scotsman,
and I will always be one."
"I admit I'm being paid well, but it's no more
than I deserve. After all, I've been screwed
more times than a hooker."
"Love may not make the world go round,
but I must admit that it makes the ride
worthwhile."
"There is nothing like a challenge
to bring out the best in man."
"I like women. I don't understand
them, but I like them."
"Some age, others mature."
"I met my wife through playing golf. She is
French and couldn't speak English, and I
couldn't speak French, so there was little
chance of us getting involved in any boring
conversations - that's why we got married
really quickly."
"Everything I have done or attempted to do
for Scotland has always been for her benefit,
never my own, and I defy anyone to prove
otherwise."
"The knighthood I received was a fantastic
honor but it's not something I've ever used,
and I don't think I ever will."
"I never trashed a hotel room or did drugs."
"More than anything else, I'd like to be an
old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or
Picasso."
"Laughter kills fear, and without fear there
can be no faith. For without fear of the devil
there is no need for God."
"Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would
be even worse at doing anything else."
"I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do
my job right, people won't ask for their
money back."
"I haven't found anywhere in the world
where I want to be all the time. The best
of my life is the moving. I look forward to
going."
French postcard by Editions La Malibran, Paris, no. MC 9. Photo: publicity still for Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969).
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
French postcard, no. SL. 4037. The Academy Awards Ceremony 1989: Dustin Hoffman wins Best Actor Oscar for Rain Man' (Barry Levinson, 1988), with co-star Tom Cruise.
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
The Postcard
A postcard bearing no publisher's name. The image is a glossy real photograph.
The card was posted in Battersea, S. W. London on Monday the 25th. August 1930 to:
Mr. G. H. Wadsworth,
16, Old Square,
Lincoln's Inn,
London.
The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:
"London, S. W. 11.
Dear Uncle George,
Having a fine time.
Have been to the Tivoli,
Astoria, Coliseum, and
a great number of other
picture palaces.
Have also been to the
Gaiety to see 'The Love
Race', which made me
laugh during the whole
performance.
Have been to the Test
Match, and am going to
the Oval again today".
The Love Race
The Love Race was a stage musical comedy that was first presented at the Gaiety Theatre in London on the 25th. June 1930.
The play was a hit production, and was made into a black and white film starring Stanley Lupino, and co-directed by Lupino Lane (a.k.a. George Lupino). The film was released in the UK on the 9th. May 1932.
The storyline of the play and the film was based around the fierce rivalry between two motor manufacturers - and the romance that develops between the daughter of one and the son of the other.
During the film a mix-up with suitcases lands wealthy racing driver (Stanley Lupino) into an embarrassing situation with his fiancée at a party.
The film co-starred silent-era veteran Jack Hobbs and Hitchcock heroine Dorothy Boyd - along with another member of the famous theatrical family, Wallace Lupino.
The film includes rare racing footage of British sports cars of the period.
Sir Sean Connery
So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?
Well, the 25th. August 1930 marked the birth in Edinburgh of Sean Connery.
Sir Sean Connery, who was born Thomas Connery, was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983.
Originating the role in Dr. No, Connery played Bond in six of Eon Productions' entries, and made his final Bond appearance in the non-Eon-produced Never Say Never Again.
If non-Eon-produced Bond movies are included, Connery shares the record for the most portrayals as James Bond with Roger Moore (with seven apiece).
Following Sean's third appearance as Bond in Goldfinger (1964), in June 1965, Time magazine observed:
"James Bond has developed into the
biggest mass-cult hero of the decade".
Connery began acting in smaller theatre and television productions until his break-out role as Bond. Although he did not enjoy the off-screen attention the role gave him, the success of the Bond films brought Connery offers from notable directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet and John Huston.
Their films in which Connery appeared included Marnie (1964), The Hill (1965), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and The Man Who Would Be King (1975).
He also appeared in A Bridge Too Far (1977), Highlander (1986), The Name of the Rose (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Dragonheart (1996), The Rock (1996), Finding Forrester (2000), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
Connery officially retired from acting in 2006, although he briefly returned for voice-over roles in 2012.
His achievements in film were recognised with an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (including the BAFTA Fellowship), and three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award and a Henrietta Award.
In 1987, Sean was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, and he received the US Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 1999. Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama.
-- Sean Connery - The Early Years
Thomas Connery was born at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was named after his paternal grandfather.
He was brought up at No. 176 Fountainbridge, a block which has since been demolished. His mother, Euphemia McBain "Effie" McLean, was a cleaning woman. Connery's father, Joseph Connery, was a factory worker and lorry driver.
His father was a Roman Catholic, and his mother was a Protestant. Connery had a younger brother Neil, and was generally referred to in his youth as "Tommy".
Although Sean was small in primary school, he grew rapidly around the age of 12, reaching his full adult height of 6 ft. 2 in. (188 cm) at 18. Connery was known during his teen years as "Big Tam", and he said that he lost his virginity to an adult woman in an ATS uniform at the age of 14.
He had an Irish childhood friend named Séamus; when the two were together, those who knew them both called Connery by his middle name Sean, emphasising the alliteration of the two names. Since then Connery preferred to use his middle name.
Connery's first job was as a milkman in Edinburgh with St. Cuthbert's Co-operative Society. In 2009, Connery recalled a conversation in a taxi:
"When I took a taxi during a recent Edinburgh
Film Festival, the driver was amazed that I
could put a name to every street we passed.
"How come?" he asked. "As a boy I used to
deliver milk round here", I said. "So what do
you do now?" That was rather harder to answer."
In 1946, at the age of 16, Connery joined the Royal Navy, during which time he acquired two tattoos. Connery's official website says:
"Unlike many tattoos, his were not frivolous –
his tattoos reflect two of his lifelong
commitments: his family and Scotland. One
tattoo is a tribute to his parents, and reads
'Mum and Dad', and the other is self-explanatory,
'Scotland Forever'".
Sean trained in Portsmouth at the naval gunnery school and in an anti-aircraft crew. He was later assigned as an Able Seaman on HMS Formidable.
Connery was discharged from the navy at the age of 19 on medical grounds because of a duodenal ulcer, a condition that affected most of the males in previous generations of his family.
Afterwards, he returned to the Co-op and worked as a lorry driver, a lifeguard at Portobello swimming baths, a labourer, an artist's model for the Edinburgh College of Art, and after a suggestion by former Mr. Scotland Archie Brennan, as a coffin polisher, among other jobs.
The modelling earned him 15 shillings an hour. Artist Richard Demarco, at the time a student who painted several early pictures of Connery, described him as:
"Very straight, slightly shy, too,
too beautiful for words, a virtual
Adonis".
Connery began bodybuilding at the age of 18, and from 1951 trained heavily with Ellington, a former gym instructor in the British Army. While his official website states he was third in the 1950 Mr. Universe contest, most sources place him in the 1953 competition, either third in the Junior class or failing to place in the Tall Man classification.
Connery said that he was soon deterred from bodybuilding when he found that Americans frequently beat him in competitions because of sheer muscle size and, unlike Connery, refused to participate in athletic activity which could make them lose muscle mass.
Connery was a keen footballer, having played for Bonnyrigg Rose in his younger days. He was offered a trial with East Fife.
While on tour with South Pacific, Connery played in a football match against a local team that Matt Busby, manager of Manchester United, happened to be scouting. According to reports, Busby was impressed with Sean's physical prowess, and offered Connery a contract worth £25 a week (equivalent to £743 in 2021) immediately after the game. Connery said he was tempted to accept, but he recalls,
"I realised that a top-class footballer could
be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was
already 23. I decided to become an actor,
and it turned out to be one of my more
intelligent moves".
-- Sean Connery's Acting Career
(a) Pre-James Bond
Seeking to supplement his income, Connery helped out backstage at the King's Theatre in late 1951. During a bodybuilding competition held in London in 1953, one of the competitors mentioned that auditions were being held for a production of South Pacific, and Connery landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys.
By the time the production reached Edinburgh, he had been given the part of Marine Cpl. Hamilton Steeves, and was understudying two of the juvenile leads, and his salary was raised from £12 to £14–10s a week.
The production returned the following year, out of popular demand, and Connery was promoted to the featured role of Lieutenant Buzz Adams, which Larry Hagman had portrayed in the West End.
While in Edinburgh, Connery was targeted by the Valdor gang, one of the most violent in the city. He was first approached by them in a billiard hall where he prevented them from stealing his jacket and was later followed by six gang members to a 15-foot-high (4.6 m) balcony at the Palais de Danse.
There, Connery singlehandedly launched an attack against the gang members, grabbing one by the throat and another by the biceps and cracking their heads together. From then on, he was treated with great respect by the gang and gained a reputation as a "hard man".
Connery first met Michael Caine at a party during the production of South Pacific in 1954, and the two later became close friends. During this production at the Opera House, Manchester, over the Christmas period of 1954, Connery developed a serious interest in the theatre through American actor Robert Henderson, who lent him copies of the Ibsen works Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck, and When We Dead Awaken, and later listed works by the likes of Proust, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Bernard Shaw, Joyce, and Shakespeare for him to digest.
Henderson urged Sean to take elocution lessons, and got him parts at the Maida Vale Theatre in London. He had already begun a film career, having been an extra in Herbert Wilcox's 1954 musical Lilacs in the Spring alongside Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle.
Although Connery had secured several roles as an extra, he was struggling to make ends meet, and was forced to accept a part-time job as a babysitter for journalist Peter Noble and his actress wife Marianne, which earned him 10 shillings a night.
One night at Noble's house Sean met Hollywood actress Shelley Winters, who described Connery as:
"One of the tallest and most charming
and masculine Scotsmen I have ever
seen."
Shelley later spent many evenings with the Connery brothers drinking beer. Around this time, Connery was residing at TV presenter Llew Gardner's house.
Henderson landed Connery a role in a £6 a week Q Theatre production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution, during which he met and became friends with fellow Scot Ian Bannen.
This role was followed by Point of Departure and A Witch in Time at Kew, a role as Pentheus opposite Yvonne Mitchell in The Bacchae at the Oxford Playhouse, and a role opposite Jill Bennett in Eugene O'Neill's play Anna Christie.
During his time at the Oxford Theatre, Connery won a brief part as a boxer in the TV series The Square Ring, before being spotted by Canadian director Alvin Rakoff, who gave him multiple roles in The Condemned, shot on location in Dover in Kent.
In 1956, Connery appeared in the theatrical production of Epitaph, and played a minor role as a hoodlum in the "Ladies of the Manor" episode of the BBC Television police series Dixon of Dock Green.
This was followed by small television parts in Sailor of Fortune and The Jack Benny Program (in a special episode filmed in Europe).
In early 1957, Connery hired agent Richard Hatton, who got him his first film role, as Spike, a minor gangster with a speech impediment in Montgomery Tully's No Road Back.
In April 1957, Rakoff – after being disappointed by Jack Palance – decided to give the young actor his first chance in a leading role, and cast Connery as Mountain McLintock in BBC Television's production of Requiem for a Heavyweight, which also starred Warren Mitchell and Jacqueline Hill.
Sean then played a rogue lorry driver, Johnny Yates, in Cy Endfield's Hell Drivers (1957) alongside Stanley Baker, Herbert Lom, Peggy Cummins, and Patrick McGoohan.
Later in 1957, Connery appeared in Terence Young's poorly received MGM action picture Action of the Tiger; the film was shot on location in southern Spain.
He also had a minor role in Gerald Thomas's thriller Time Lock (1957) as a welder, appearing alongside Robert Beatty, Lee Patterson, Betty McDowall, and Vincent Winter. This commenced filming on the 1st. December 1956 at Beaconsfield Studios.
Connery had a major role in the melodrama Another Time, Another Place (1958) as a British reporter named Mark Trevor, caught in a love affair opposite Lana Turner and Barry Sullivan.
During filming, Turner's possessive gangster boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, who was visiting from Los Angeles, believed she was having an affair with Connery. Connery and Turner had attended West End shows and London restaurants together.
Stompanato stormed onto the film set and pointed a gun at Connery, only to have Connery disarm him and knock him flat on his back. Stompanato was banned from the set. Two Scotland Yard detectives advised Stompanato to leave and escorted him to the airport, where he boarded a plane back to the United States.
Connery later recounted that he had to lay low for a while after receiving threats from men linked to Stompanato's boss, Mickey Cohen.
In 1959, Connery landed a leading role in director Robert Stevenson's Walt Disney Productions film Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959). The film is a tale about a wily Irishman and his battle of wits with leprechauns.
Upon the film's initial release, A. H. Weiler of The New York Times praised the cast (save Connery whom he described as "merely tall, dark, and handsome") and thought the film:
"An overpoweringly charming concoction
of standard Gaelic tall stories, fantasy and
romance."
Sean also had prominent television roles in Rudolph Cartier's 1961 productions of Adventure Story and Anna Karenina for BBC Television, co-starring with Claire Bloom in the latter.
Also in 1961 he portrayed the title role in a CBC television film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth with Australian actress Zoe Caldwell cast as Lady Macbeth.
-- (b) James Bond: 1962–1971, 1983
Connery's breakthrough came in the role of British secret agent James Bond. He was reluctant to commit to a film series, but understood that if the films succeeded, his career would greatly benefit.
Between 1962 and 1967, Connery played 007 in Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice, the first five Bond films produced by Eon Productions.
After departing from the role, Connery returned for the seventh film, Diamonds Are Forever, in 1971. Connery made his final appearance as Bond in Never Say Never Again, a 1983 remake of Thunderball produced by Jack Schwartzman's Taliafilm.
All seven films were commercially successful. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute.
Connery's selection for the role of James Bond owed a lot to Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, who is reputed to have been instrumental in persuading her husband that Connery was the right man.
James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, originally doubted Connery's casting, saying:
"He's not what I envisioned of James
Bond looks. I'm looking for Commander
Bond and not an overgrown stunt-man."
He added that Connery (muscular, 6' 2", and a Scot) was unrefined. However Fleming's girlfriend Blanche Blackwell told Fleming that Connery had the requisite sexual charisma, and Fleming changed his mind after the successful Dr. No première.
He was so impressed, he wrote Connery's heritage into the character. In his 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, Fleming wrote that Bond's father was Scottish and from Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
Connery's portrayal of Bond owes much to stylistic tutelage from director Terence Young, who helped polish him while using his physical grace and presence for the action.
Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny, related that:
"Terence took Sean under his wing.
He took him to dinner, showed him
how to walk, how to talk, even how
to eat".
The tutoring was successful; Connery received thousands of fan letters a week after Dr. No's opening, and he became a major sex symbol in film.
Following the release of the film Dr. No in 1962, the line "Bond ... James Bond", became a catch phrase in the lexicon of Western popular culture. Film critic Peter Bradshaw writes:
"It is the most famous self-introduction
from any character in movie history.
Three cool monosyllables, surname first,
a little curtly, as befits a former naval
commander.
And then, as if in afterthought, the first
name, followed by the surname again.
Connery carried it off with icily disdainful
style, in full evening dress with a cigarette
hanging from his lips.
The introduction was a kind of challenge,
or seduction, invariably addressed to an
enemy.
In the early 60's, Connery's James Bond
was about as dangerous and sexy as it
got on screen."
During the filming of Thunderball in 1965, Connery's life was in danger in the sequence with the sharks in Emilio Largo's pool. He had been concerned about this threat when he read the script.
Connery insisted that Ken Adam build a special Plexiglas partition inside the pool, but this was not a fixed structure, and one of the sharks managed to pass through it. He had to abandon the pool immediately.
(c) Post-James Bond
Although Bond had made him a star, Connery grew tired of the role and the pressure the franchise put on him, saying:
"I am fed up to here with the whole
Bond bit. I have always hated that
damned James Bond. I'd like to kill
him."
Michael Caine said of the situation:
"If you were his friend in these early
days you didn't raise the subject of
Bond. He was, and is, a much better
actor than just playing James Bond,
but he became synonymous with
Bond. He'd be walking down the
street and people would say,
'Look, there's James Bond'.
That was particularly upsetting
to him."
While making the Bond films, Connery also starred in other films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964) and Sidney Lumet's The Hill (1965), which film critic Peter Bradshaw regards as his two great non-Bond pictures from the 1960's.
In Marnie, Connery starred opposite Tippi Hedren. Connery had said he wanted to work with Hitchcock, which Eon arranged through their contacts. Connery shocked many people at the time by asking to see a script, something he did because he was worried about being typecast as a spy, and he did not want to do a variation of North by Northwest or Notorious.
When told by Hitchcock's agent that Cary Grant had not asked to see even one of Hitchcock's scripts, Connery replied:
"I'm not Cary Grant."
Hitchcock and Connery got on well during filming, and Connery said he was happy with the film "with certain reservations".
In The Hill, Connery wanted to act in something that wasn't Bond related, and he used his leverage as a star to feature in it. While the film wasn't a financial success, it was a critical one, debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and winning Best Screenplay.
The first of five films he made with Lumet, Connery considered him to be one of his favourite directors. The respect was mutual, with Lumet saying of Connery's performance in The Hill:
"The thing that was apparent to me –
and to most directors – was how much
talent and ability it takes to play that
kind of character who is based on charm
and magnetism.
It's the equivalent of high comedy, and
he did it brilliantly."
In the mid-1960's, Connery played golf with Scottish industrialist Iain Maxwell Stewart, a connection which led to Connery directing and presenting the documentary film The Bowler and the Bunnet in 1967.
The film described the Fairfield Experiment, a new approach to industrial relations carried out at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Glasgow, during the 1960s; the experiment was initiated by Stewart and supported by George Brown, the First Secretary in Harold Wilson's cabinet, in 1966.
The company was facing closure, and Brown agreed to provide £1 million (£13.135 million; US$15.55 million in 2021 terms) to enable trade unions, the management and the shareholders to try out new ways of industrial management.
Having played Bond six times, Connery's global popularity was such that he shared a Golden Globe Henrietta Award with Charles Bronson for "World Film Favorite – Male" in 1972.
He appeared in John Huston's The Man Who Would Be King (1975) opposite Michael Caine. Playing two former British soldiers who set themselves up as kings in Kafiristan, both actors regarded it as their favourite film.
The same year, Sean appeared in The Wind and the Lion opposite Candice Bergen who played Eden Perdicaris (based on the real-life Perdicaris incident), and in 1976 played Robin Hood in Robin and Marian opposite Audrey Hepburn.
Film critic Roger Ebert, who had praised the double act of Connery and Caine in The Man Who Would Be King, praised Connery's chemistry with Hepburn, writing:
"Connery and Hepburn seem to have
arrived at a tacit understanding
between themselves about their
characters. They glow. They really
do seem in love."
During the 1970's, Connery was part of ensemble casts in films such as Murder on the Orient Express (1974) with Vanessa Redgrave and John Gielgud, and played a British Army general in Richard Attenborough's war film A Bridge Too Far (1977), co-starring with Dirk Bogarde and Laurence Olivier.
In 1974, he starred in John Boorman's sci-fi thriller Zardoz. Often called one of the weirdest and worst movies ever made, it featured Connery in a scarlet mankini – a revealing costume which generated much controversy for its unBond-like appearance.
Despite being panned by critics at the time, the film has developed a cult following since its release. In the audio commentary to the film, Boorman relates how Connery would write poetry in his free time, describing him as:
"A man of great depth and intelligence,
as well as possessing the most
extraordinary memory."
In 1981, Connery appeared in the film Time Bandits as Agamemnon. The casting choice derives from a joke Michael Palin included in the script, which describes the character's removing his mask and being:
"Sean Connery – or someone
of equal but cheaper stature".
When shown the script, Connery was happy to play the supporting role.
In 1981 he portrayed Marshal William T. O'Niel in the science fiction thriller Outland. In 1982, Connery narrated G'olé!, the official film of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
That same year, he was offered the role of Daddy Warbucks in Annie, going as far as taking voice lessons for the John Huston musical before turning down the part.
Connery agreed to reprise Bond as an ageing agent 007 in Never Say Never Again, released in October 1983. The title, contributed by his wife, refers to his earlier statement that he would "never again" return to the role.
Although the film performed well at the box office, it was plagued with production problems: strife between the director and producer, financial problems, the Fleming estate trustees' attempts to halt the film, and Connery's wrist being broken by the fight choreographer, Steven Seagal.
As a result of his negative experiences during filming, Connery became unhappy with the major studios, and did not make any films for two years. Following the successful European production The Name of the Rose (1986), for which he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor, Connery's interest in more commercial material was revived.
That same year, a supporting role in Highlander showcased his ability to play older mentors to younger leads, which became a recurring role in many of his later films.
In 1987, Connery starred in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables, where he played a hard-nosed Irish-American cop alongside Kevin Costner's Eliot Ness. The film also starred Andy Garcia and Robert De Niro as Al Capone.
The film was a critical and box-office success. Many critics praised Connery for his performance, including Roger Ebert, who wrote:
"The best performance in the movie
is Connery. He brings a human element
to his character; he seems to have had
an existence apart from the legend of
the Untouchables, and when he's
onscreen we can believe, briefly, that
the Prohibition Era was inhabited by
people, not caricatures."
For his performance, Connery received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Connery starred in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), playing Henry Jones Sr., the title character's father, and received BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominations. Harrison Ford said Connery's contributions at the writing stage enhanced the film:
"It was amazing for me in how far he got
into the script and went after exploiting
opportunities for character.
His suggestions to George Lucas at the
writing stage really gave the character
and the picture a lot more complexity
and value than it had in the original
screenplay.
Sean's subsequent box-office hits included The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Russia House (1990), The Rock (1996), and Entrapment (1999). In 1996, he voiced the role of Draco the dragon in the film Dragonheart.
He also appeared in a brief cameo as King Richard the Lionheart at the end of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). In 1998, Connery received the BAFTA Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Connery's later films included several box-office and critical disappointments such as First Knight (1995), Just Cause (1995), The Avengers (1998), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
The failure of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was especially frustrating for Connery. He sensed during shooting that the production was "going off the rails", and announced that the director, Stephen Norrington should be "locked up for insanity".
Connery spent considerable effort in trying to salvage the film through the editing process, ultimately deciding to retire from acting rather than go through such stress ever again.
However, he received positive reviews for his performance in Finding Forrester (2000). He also received a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.
In a 2003 UK poll conducted by Channel 4, Connery was ranked eighth on their list of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars.
Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings films, saying he did not understand the script. He was reportedly offered US$30 million along with 15% of the worldwide box office receipts, which would have earned him US$450 million.
He also turned down the opportunity to appear as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series and the Architect in The Matrix trilogy.
In 2005, he recorded voiceovers for the From Russia with Love video game with recording producer Terry Manning in the Bahamas, and provided his likeness. Connery said he was happy the producers, Electronic Arts, had approached him to voice Bond.
(d) Retirement
When Connery received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award on the 8th. June 2006, he confirmed his retirement from acting.
Connery's disillusionment with the "idiots now making films in Hollywood" was cited as a reason for his decision to retire.
On the 7th. June 2007, he denied rumours that he would appear in the fourth Indiana Jones film, saying:
"Retirement is just too
much damned fun."
In 2010, a bronze bust sculpture of Connery was placed in Tallinn, Estonia, outside The Scottish Club, whose membership includes Estonian Scotophiles and a handful of expatriate Scots.
In 2012, Connery briefly came out of retirement to voice the title character in the Scottish animated film Sir Billi. Connery served as executive producer for an expanded 80-minute version.
-- Sean Connery's Personal Life
During the production of South Pacific in the mid-1950's, Connery dated a Jewish "dark-haired beauty with a ballerina's figure", Carol Sopel, but was warned off by her family.
He then dated Julie Hamilton, daughter of documentary filmmaker and feminist Jill Craigie. Given Connery's rugged appearance and rough charm, Hamilton initially thought he was an appalling person and was not attracted to him until she saw him in a kilt, declaring him to be the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
He also shared a mutual attraction with jazz singer Maxine Daniels, whom he met whilst working in theatre. He made a pass at her, but she told him she was already happily married with a daughter.
Connery was married to actress Diane Cilento from 1962 to 1974, though they separated in 1971. They had a son, actor Jason Joseph. Connery was separated in the early 1970's when he dated Dyan Cannon, Jill St. John, Lana Wood, Carole Mallory, and Magda Konopka.
In her 2006 autobiography, Cilento alleged that he had abused her mentally and physically during their relationship. Connery cancelled an appearance at the Scottish Parliament in 2006 because of controversy over his alleged support of abuse of women.
He denied claims that he told Playboy magazine in 1965:
"I don't think there is anything
particularly wrong in hitting a
woman, though I don't
recommend you do it in the
same way you hit a man".
He was also reported to have stated to Vanity Fair in 1993:
"There are women who take it
to the wire. That's what they are
looking for, the ultimate
confrontation. They want a smack."
In 2006, Connery told The Times of London:
"I don't believe that any level of
abuse of women is ever justified
under any circumstances. Full stop".
When knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 he wore a green-and-black hunting tartan kilt of his mother's MacLean clan.
Connery was married to French-Moroccan painter Micheline Roquebrune (born 4th. April 1929) from 1975 until his death. The marriage survived a well-documented affair Connery had in the late 1980's with the singer and songwriter Lynsey de Paul, which she later regretted due to his views concerning domestic violence.
Connery owned the Domaine de Terre Blanche in the South of France from 1979. He sold it to German billionaire Dietmar Hopp in 1999.
He was awarded an honorary rank of Shodan (1st. dan) in Kyokushin karate.
Connery relocated to the Bahamas in the 1990's; he owned a mansion in Lyford Cay on New Providence.
Connery had a villa in Kranidi, Greece. His neighbour was King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, with whom he shared a helicopter platform.
Growing up, Connery supported the Scottish football club Celtic F.C., having been introduced to the club by his father who was a lifelong fan of the team.
Later in life, Connery switched his loyalty to Celtic's bitter rival, Rangers F.C., after he became close friends with the team's chairman, David Murray.
Sean was a keen golfer, and English professional golfer Peter Alliss gave Connery golf lessons before the filming of the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, which involved a scene where Connery, as Bond, played golf against gold magnate Auric Goldfinger at Stoke Park Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.
The golf scene saw him wear a Slazenger v-neck sweater, a brand which Connery became associated with while playing golf in his free time, with a light grey marl being a favoured colour.
Record major championship winner and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus said:
"He loved the game of golf – Sean
was a pretty darn good golfer! –
and we played together several
times.
In May 1993, Sean and legendary
driver Jackie Stewart helped me
open our design of the PGA
Centenary Course at Gleneagles
in Scotland."
-- Sean Connery's Political Views
Connery's Scottish roots and his experiences in filming in Glasgow's shipyards in 1966 inspired him to become a member of the centre-left Scottish National Party (SNP), which supports Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
In 2011, Connery said:
"The Bowler and the Bunnet was just
the beginning of a journey that would
lead to my long association with the
Scottish National Party."
Connery supported the party both financially and through personal appearances. In 1967, he wrote to George Leslie, the SNP candidate in the 1967 Glasgow Pollok by-election, saying:
"I am convinced that with our resources
and skills we are more than capable of
building a prosperous, vigorous and
modern self-governing Scotland in which
we can all take pride and which will
deserve the respect of other nations."
His funding of the SNP ceased in 2001, when the UK Parliament passed legislation prohibiting overseas funding of political activities in the United Kingdom.
-- Sean Connery's Tax Status
In response to accusations that he was a tax exile, Connery released documents in 2003 showing he had paid £3.7 million in UK taxes between 1997 and 1998 and between 2002 and 2003. Critics pointed out that had he been continuously residing in the UK for tax purposes, his tax rate would have been far higher.
In the run-up to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Connery's brother Neil said that Connery would not come to Scotland to rally independence supporters, since his tax exile status greatly limited the number of days he could spend in the country.
After Connery sold his Marbella villa in 1999, Spanish authorities launched a tax evasion investigation, alleging that the Spanish treasury had been defrauded of £5.5 million.
Connery was subsequently cleared by officials, but his wife and 16 others were charged with attempting to defraud the Spanish treasury.
-- The Death and Legacy of Sean Connery
Connery died in his sleep on the 31st. October 2020, aged 90, at his home in the Lyford Cay community of Nassau in the Bahamas. His death was announced by his family and Eon Productions; although they did not disclose the cause of death, his son Jason said he had been unwell for some time.
A day later, Roquebrune revealed he had suffered from dementia in his final years. Connery's death certificate recorded the cause of death as pneumonia and respiratory failure, and the time of death was listed as 1:30 am.
Sean's remains were cremated, and the ashes were scattered in Scotland at undisclosed locations in 2022.
Following the announcement of his death, many co-stars and figures from the entertainment industry paid tribute to Connery, including Sam Neill, Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Michael Bay, Tippi Hedren, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, George Lucas, Shirley Bassey, Kevin Costner, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Barbra Streisand, John Cleese, Jane Seymour and Harrison Ford, as well as former Bond stars George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, the family of late former Bond actor Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig, who played 007 until No Time to Die.
Connery's long-time friend Michael Caine called him:
"A great star, brilliant actor
and a wonderful friend".
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli released a statement saying that:
"Connery has revolutionized the world
with his gritty and witty portrayal of the
sexy and charismatic secret agent.
He is undoubtedly largely responsible
for the success of the film series, and
we shall be forever grateful to him".
In 2004, a poll in the UK Sunday Herald recognised Connery as "The Greatest Living Scot," and a 2011 EuroMillions survey named him "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure".
He was voted by People magazine as the "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 and the "Sexiest Man of the Century" in 1999.
Final Thoughts From Sir Sean Connery
"I am not an Englishman, I was never an
Englishman, and I don't ever want to be
one. I am a Scotsman! I was a Scotsman,
and I will always be one."
"I admit I'm being paid well, but it's no more
than I deserve. After all, I've been screwed
more times than a hooker."
"Love may not make the world go round,
but I must admit that it makes the ride
worthwhile."
"There is nothing like a challenge to bring
out the best in man."
"I like women. I don't understand them,
but I like them."
"Some age, others mature."
"I met my wife through playing golf. She is
French and couldn't speak English, and I
couldn't speak French, so there was little
chance of us getting involved in any boring
conversations - that's why we got married
really quickly."
"Everything I have done or attempted to do
for Scotland has always been for her benefit,
never my own, and I defy anyone to prove
otherwise."
"The knighthood I received was a fantastic
honor but it's not something I've ever used,
and I don't think I ever will."
"I never trashed a hotel room or did drugs."
"More than anything else, I'd like to be an
old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or
Picasso."
"Laughter kills fear, and without fear there
can be no faith. For without fear of the devil
there is no need for God."
"Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would
be even worse at doing anything else."
"I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do
my job right, people won't ask for their
money back."
"I haven't found anywhere in the world
where I want to be all the time. The best
of my life is the moving. I look forward to
going."
January 7, 1985
Two Kanata convenience stores were robbed within less than half an hour of each other by a man with a knife. A small amount of money was stolen from the Becker’s Store on Kakulu Drive, and a “minimal” amount from the Mac’s Milk store in Glen Cairn Plaza on Highway 7. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:1.
January 7, 1985
The Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association held a meeting where representation on Kanata City Council was discussed. Alderman Niebergall had indicated that during the year the community would have almost twice the number of eligible voters as other wards in the city. Cluster directors passed motion asking Council to divide the ward to provide for a second Council seat in time for the Municipal elections in November 1985. Alderman Des Adam later agreed with Niebergall, in his March Notebook, at least fundamentally, as Niebergall “had the numbers” to make such a case. However, Adam went on to postulate that the “numbers in themselves do not tell the entire story. The community of March is not designated a growth area in the Kanata Official Plan and it was never intended that rapid growth should take place in March.” Under the guise of “representation according to population” March would be would be “denied representation on the Council that serves them.” Adam pointed out that likely nobody hoped for that to occur. Adam proposed an Alderman for each, Katimavik and Hazeldean, as well as a citywide Alderman to also act as Deputy Mayor. Niebergall, in his Katimavik-Hazeldean Report, later agreed with Adam’s ideas. Kanata Standard, January 17, 1985:5; Kanata Standard, January 24, 1985:3; Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:3.
January 10, 1985
It was reported in the Standard that Lumonics Inc. was building a $1.5 million plant expansion, and that this would create about fifty new jobs. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:1.
January 10, 1985
It was reported that Regional Council was considering a freeze on housing until a $6 million pipeline could be installed in 1986 to divert sewage away from the “overtaxed” Watts Creek treatment plant in Nepean. Mayor Wilkinson stated, in her Commentary, that this freeze would not completely stop developments, but merely slow things down for about a year. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:1,3.
January 10, 1985
Don Farmer received an out-of-court settlement of $39,500 from Kanata Hydro in response to his being fired nearly two years earlier. Farmer had filed a wrongful dismissal suit and was set to go to trial in the Supreme Court of Ontario a few days later. Farmer was dismissed on February 16, 1983, 16 days after he was placed on suspension for unknown reasons. He was Kanata Hydro’s first manager and held the position for two and a half years. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:1-2.
January 10, 1985
Mitel Corporation’s deal to sell its plant in New York State fell through. The Kanata-based firm sale of the plant was intended to minimize the impact of some losses experienced by the company in 1984. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:21.
January 10, 1985
Trillium Telephone Systems Inc. of Kanata posted its first profit, a net earnings of $138,000 in the third quarter of the current fiscal year. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:21.
January 15, 1985
Kanata City Council announced that the City would renovate the inside of SS No.1 Schoolhouse and make it available to the Children’s Art Centre organization. Nancy Upper and Katherine Watson were the founders of the CAC. The renovations were estimated to cost $50,000. Kanata Standard, January 17, 1985:11.
January 16, 1985
The Kanata Theatre began its sixteenth season with the production of There Goes the Bride, directed by Rosemary Keneford. The cast included Rosemarie Lawless, Brenda Godin, Laurence Thornton, Jim Holmes, Brooke Keneford, Liane Freedman, Jenny Haynes and Ted Mauger. Four performances of the production set an attendance record of 1,640 patrons for Kanata Theatre. Leslie Jones reported that Keneford had a “brilliant performance” supported by a “superb” cast. Kanata Standard, January 10, 1985:8; Kanata Standard, January 24, 1985:8.
January 17, 1985
Grant Gelinas wrote a feature article in the Standard explaining that OC Transpo was considering service cuts. This included eliminating routes 117 and 99 into Kanata. Marianne Wilkinson argued the importance of route 99 which goes to the Bayshore Shopping Centre. Kanata Standard, January 17, 1985:1-2.
January 17, 1985
Des Adam, in his March Notebook, stated that councillors were sitting on too many committees and in too many meetings. He wrote: “While the approach to have council members attend committee meetings is well intentioned, it is creating a situation that is getting out of control to the detriment of the city.” He added that the City had grown to a point where more policies needed to be implemented, “policies that need to be redefined and generally a much heavier workload.” Kanata Standard, January 17, 1985:3.
January 17, 1985
Mitel Corporation put fifty workers back to full-time work following a surge in sales. The firm had reduced 300 employees down to four-day work weeks a month earlier. Mitel employed about 1,900 people at its Kanata operations. Kanata Standard, January 17, 1985:19.
January 17, 1985
The Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. signed a letter of intent to build a $40 million nuclear laboratory in Jakarta, Indonesia. The firm employed about 800 people. Two hundred workers had been laid off in March, 1984, but this deal would not prompt any new local hiring. Kanata Standard, January 17, 1985:19.
January 17, 1985
Several Kanata students took part in a Mock Council, held as part of the activities for Local Government Week. The participants entered into several of the current debates of Kanata City Council. Michelle Beninger took the position of Mayor. About 20 groups of students went out fact finding in various city departments, the fire department, police, Kanata Hydro, and Regional Government. Kanata Standard, January 24, 1985:4.
January 22, 1985
A public meeting was held regarding Ontario Hydro’s proposed transmission line through Bridlewood. It was a “packed house” at the Bridlewood Community Centre. The Bridlewood Community Association collected 854 names on a petition against the proposal. There was also almost “complete unanimity” in opposing the Hydro plan and support for an alternative route for the line that had been proposed by the City of Kanata Citizen’s Task Force. However, there was also some discontent over the alternative route. Ontario Hydro agreed to do an evaluation of the proposal and present findings to the Joint Board on February 5. Kanata Standard, January 17 1985:1; Kanata Standard, January 24, 1985:1.
January 24, 1985
A 17-year-old Kanata male appeared in court on charges of indecent exposure and sexual assault. He had been arrested two weeks earlier after four months and numerous reports that a teenage male was exposing himself to young children. Kanata Standard, January 24, 1985:1.
January 24, 1985
It was reported that a Kanata resident, Phillip John Morris, 17, was charged with three counts of armed robbery, in connection with three recent robberies in six days, as well as car theft. Kanata Standard, January 24, 1985:1.
January 24, 1985
Parents and educators attended an information meeting on French Immersion. There was a panel of experts in the field of second-language learning. Kanata Standard, February 21, 1985:5.
January 26, 1985
The Kanata Winter Carnival was held. It was reported as a great success in Katimavik-Hazeldean. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:4.
January 27, 1984
Kanata City Council denied a request by Campeau Corporation to put a video arcade in the Kanata Town Centre. Merchants were concerned with the type of crowd an arcade would bring into the Centre. A by-law passed in May 1983 had restricted video arcades in enclosed shopping malls. One arcade was already in Hazeldean Mall. Mayor Wilkinson said that the City had to allow one arcade, and it had already done that. Therefore, no more were needed. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:1.
January 27, 1985
The 9th Annual Bridlewood Skiathon was held. Susan Kunstadt won the ladies’ Bridlewood Cup for the second straight year. Brad Lane regained the mens’, having won it three years earlier. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:18.
January 27, 1985
The Glen Cairn Figure Skating Club’s competition was held. Four of the many winners were Holly Anderson, Natalie Bernard, Karen LeSage and Heather Lawlor. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:21.
January 29, 1985
Campeau Corporation gave two day’s notice to evict the Kanata Riding Club from its premises. Ron Boyd reported in the Standard that members in Kanata City Council felt that Campeau was reacting to a dispute with Council and taking it out on the Riding Club. The notice was sent following a meeting between Council and company representatives the previous day on an unrelated issue, i.e., over the Marchwood-Lakeside development project and whether the development plans should be held in public or not. In other talks, the Riding Club had been assured by Campeau of six months’ notice, since relocation of the Club was in the company’s Secondary Plan and expected. The Riding Club was originally built by Bill Teron and given to the community to develop a riding facility. When Campeau took over the Teron lands, this understanding continued. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:1; Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:3.
January 31, 1985
Arctec Canada Ltd. was awarded a federal government contract to investigate winter ship navigation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Kanata company employed about 30 people. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:15.
January 31, 1985
The March Montessori School held its Annual General Meeting. The new Executive Officers were Ann Molloy, Barry Bruce, Kathy Stiell, Virginia Clayman, Madeline Bayliss, Susan Yansouni, Melanie Bradley, and Anne Chellingworth. Kanata Standard, February 14, 1985:9.
February 2, 1985
The Kanata Wesleyan Church celebrated its 1st Anniversary. Kanata Standard, January 31, 1985:13.
February 4, 1985
Campeau Corporation decided to increase membership and raise fees for the Kanata Golf Club. About 100 people protested at a meeting. Some members speculated that, like with the Kanata Riding Club issue, the Golf Course had become a pawn in the dispute between Campeau and the City over the Marchwood-Lakeside development. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:1.
February 5, 1985
Someone smashed into National Video with a pick-up truck and stole $7,400 worth of equipment. There were no suspects the time. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:1.
February 5, 1985
Kanata lost its bid for more representation on Regional Council. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:1.
February 7, 1985
Tom McDougall, Director of Building Services and by-law Enforcement, resigned from the City for a private sector position. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:1.
February 7, 1985
It was announced that Trillium Telephone Systems Inc. of Kanata broke into the Japanese market with its home intercom/telephone system. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:15.
February 8, 1985
Kanata’s resident country band, Bakerstreet, performed at the Winterlude Celebrations. Kanata Standard, February 14, 1985:5.
February 9, 1985
Kanata resident, Tammi Hunt, 17, was selected for a spot in the Miss Teen Ottawa/Hull pageant. Kanata Standard, February 14, 1985:6.
February 11, 1985
The National Capital Commission agreed to allow a new hydro corridor to pass through its property, to permit the proposed Ontario Hydro transmission line to be diverted around Bridlewood. Kanata Standard, February 14, 1985:1-2.
February 19, 1985
Kanata City Council surprised a developer, Ken Hoffman, when they asked him to come up with alternatives for his proposed townhouse project at the corner of Hazeldean Road and Terry Fox Drive. He was asking for a change in zoning from commercial to medium-density residential. Residents attended the meeting to protest the townhouse project, concerned that it would suppress property values in the neighbourhood, which consisted of single-family dwellings. Kanata Standard, February 21, 1985:1.
February 19, 1985
Kanata City Council finalized the Operating Budget for 1985 with an increase in the mill rate of 12.8 percent. Kanata Standard, February 21, 1985:3.
February 19, 1985
Kanata City Council decided to petition the Ontario Municipal Board for redivision of wards in Kanata. The debate over the ward situation was becoming more controversial. Both Beverly Read and Charlie Rogers wrote articles in the Standard outlining some of the debate and options for new ward boundaries. Kanata Standard, February 28, 1985:3,4.
February 21, 1985
The Kanata hi-tech firm, Siltronics Inc., posted only a $90,000 profit for the first six months of fiscal year 1985. At the time, 130 people were employed with the firm. Kanata Standard, February 21, 1985:14.
February 23, 1985
The Kinsmen’s Annual Pancake Race was held, maintaining the Kanata’s rivalry with Buckingham, England. Jill Walker won in Kanata with a time of 1:14, though a British contestant won the competition overall. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:9; Kanata Standard, February 28, 1985:12..
February 23, 1985
The Kanata Techniques Junior team won a silver medal at the Eastern Ontario Precision Skating competition. Kanata Standard, February 28, 1985:23.
February 26, 1985
The City’s Policy and Operations Committee gave approval to Caneel Developments to begin the second phase of the Kanata Professional Centre. Kanata Standard, February 28, 1985:1.
March 2, 1985
The Kanata Theatre presented Cause Celebre. Leslie Jones reviewed that the performance was not quite what was expected - “it was a lot better.” Kanata Standard, March 7, 1985:5.
March 3, 1985
Campeau Corporation formally requested a change in plans for the Marchwood-Lakeside development to increase the population density by 30 percent. It stated in a letter from Campeau: “if the matter cannot be expeditiously concluded, Campeau Corporation will have no alternative but to request the Minister to refer the proposed amendment to the Ontario Municipal Board.” Kanata City Council referred the application to staff for a report. An editorial in the Standard stated: “The fight with Campeau will not be easy. The developer has warned (or threatened) that he will take the issue to the Minister if he does not get his way. It will take strong resolve on the part of Council to resist the pressure. Unfortunately, there is already indication that some members of Council are prepared to compromise. We urge them to stand firm.” Kanata Standard, March 7, 1985:1,2.
March 6, 1985
A public meeting was held with OC Transpo representatives to discuss services to and from Kanata. Most residents were concerned about proposed cuts in services. Darryl Kaslove stated in a letter to the Editor: “We can see why over 1,400 people signed a petition opposing the OC Transpo’s service cuts on the 99 and 117.” Kanata Standard, March 14, 1985:1,2.
March 6, 1985
The Guiding Movement of the Beaverbrook District gathered to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Guiding in Canada and the 20th Anniversary of Guiding in Kanata. Kanata Standard, March 14, 1985:8.
March 7, 1985
It was the 15th Anniversary for the Kanata March Horticultural Society. Kanata Standard, March 7, 1985:14.
March 12, 1985
Kanata City Council approved a change in ward boundaries to five. Beaverbrook would become one ward instead of two. Council would remain with seven members, six aldermen and the Mayor. The sixth alderman would represent the entire City. The revision was sent to the Ontario Municipal Board for approval. Kanata Standard, March 14, 1985:1.
March 14, 1985
It was reported that Norman Sterling, MPP for Carleton-Grenville, would be the PC candidate in the next provincial election. Kanata Standard, March 14, 1985:3.
March 14, 1985
Students at Stephen Leacock Public School rounded up 24,000 books for the year’s Book Fair. Kanata Standard, March 14, 1985:10.
March 16, 1985
There was a celebration of the 1st Anniversary of their takeover of the Beaverbrook Mall by Bill Willis and David McKeen. They first came to Kanata in February, 1981, when they took over the IGA store. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:21.
March 19, 1985
Kanata City Council set aside $50,000 to establish an Enterprise Centre in Kanata, aimed at helping small business. Final approval and funds from the province were still required. Kanata Standard, March 21, 1985:1.
March 21, 1985
Des Adam wrote, in his March Notebook, on the Marchwood-Lakeside lands controversy. Most recently, Campeau Corporation had requested an increase in population density for the development. He pointed out that the players on the Campeau team change frequently: “It appears to be their strategy that if they do not achieve what is wanted in negotiations they simply bring in new players and start the negotiations over again.” A Standard editorial stated: “After almost five years of debate, discussion, study and compromise, a plan was developed and accepted by all parties last year. There is no justification for the developer now to demand significant changes. It is also questionable whether approval of a subdivision in the area in question (the proposed Fairway development between number 1 and 9 fairways on the golf course) should even be considered, let alone rushed ahead as proposed in the City of Kanata Notices this week. The city would retain more bargaining power if it refused to permit any development until the controversy is settled. And settlement should not mean giving in to Campeau.” Kanata Standard, March 21, 1985:2,3.
March 21, 1985
The new Rural March Executive was published in the Standard, and included David Attwell, Robin Hayman, Irene Foley, Gordon Walt, and Barry Graham. Kanata Standard, March 21, 1985:4.
March 21, 1985
Talks between inside City workers and the City failed. A strike or lock-out as early as April 9 was a strong possibility. Kanata Standard, March 21, 1985:1.
March 23, 1985
A Kanata builder, Randy Braaten, unveiled an “R-2000" super-energy-efficient house new Dunrobin. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:21.
March 26, 1985
The Policy and Operations Committee gave tentative approval to a Property Standards By-Law, which would give the City the power to order residents to cut their grass or clean their swimming pools. A fine of $500 could be given for each day a resident failed to comply with an order. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:1.
March 26, 1985
Kanata City Council turned down the Official Plan Amendment submitted by Campeau Corporation to allow approximately 30 more houses to be built on its lands in Marchwood-Lakeside. Campeau opted to take the request directly to the Ontario Municipal Board as they had previously indicated. The formal application for appeal was sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Ian and Kathy Stiell wrote in a letter to the Editor: “We applaud the stand taken by Alderman Adam in his recent comments on the Marchwood-Lakeside ‘situation.’ We and our neighbours actively participated with the City and representatives of Campeau Corporation in the long process of discussions that resulted in the secondary plan for the proposed development. Less than a year later, we find that Campeau Corporation proposes very significant changes, particularly regarding housing densities and phasing. This makes a mockery of the proceeding discussions and is quite unacceptable.” Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:1,2; Kanata Standard, April 4,1985:2.
March 26, 1985
The Operations Committee of City Council considered a request by ABSEC Inc. to have a parcel of land at the corner of Pickford and Kakulu rezoned. The developer hoped to increase the number of condominium townhouses which could be built. The application was rejected and a 9-metre height restriction placed on the property, limiting buildings to two stories. Paul Niebergall, in his Katimavik-Hazeldean Report, congratulated the residents, led by Stewart Galbraith and Brian Smith, on the effort and success. He stated: “Not only were those affected benefitted, but the possibly eventually many residents in other communities as well.” Kanata Standard, April 4,1985:3,7.
March 26, 1985
The two-storey extension to the Kanata Professional Centre began with a groundbreaking ceremony. The first phase had opened on November 27. Kanata Standard, April 4,1985:8.
March 28, 1985
After two postponements, the Kanata Riding Club went to court and lost against Campeau Corporation to fight against an eviction notice. Campeau had given the club only two day’s notice to leave the premises on February 1. The riding club was seeking a six month court injunction and a civil trial to force the company to pay for moving expenses. Club President, Jim Carruthers, said that he did not know why Campeau was taking such a hard line against the Riding Club. Campeau gave the club until April 30 to remove 21 horses from the land. As a “last ditch effort,” the Club attempted to raise the money needed for a new barn on other land offered by Campeau. Kanata Standard, February 7, 1985:1; Kanata Standard, February 14, 1985:1; Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:1-2.
March 28, 1985
Siltronics Inc. was completing its new $5 million silicon wafer fabrication plant. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:21.
March 27, 1985
Four Kanata women won bronze medals in hockey at the Ontario Winter Games. The were Monique Brule, Linda Campbell, Chris Stoneman and Teresa Moriarty. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:24.
April 2, 1985
Kanata City Council offered the Kanata Riding Club a $50,000 loan to help with relocation costs. The Club had been given notice to vacate their present location by Campeau Corporation. Council indicated the need for guarantee of repayment. Alderman Lund questioned the need for a guarantee and commented: “I suddenly see everyone getting very business-like this time. We’ve never done it before, and all of a sudden we’re starting now. I think the club has potential, and the City should be willing to take some sort of risk.” Kanata Standard, April 4, 1985:1-2.
April 2, 1985
Members of the inside City workers’ local sat in protest at a Kanata City Council meeting. At the time, it seemed that a strike was imminent. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:1-2.
April 2, 1985
The Carleton Board of Education had its last budget debate and settled on a 6.3 percent increase for 1985, with a $187 million budget. Kanata Standard, March 28, 1985:1.
April 2, 1985
The Kanata-based laser research company, Lumonics Canada, announced that it would not participate in the multi-billion-dollar plan to militarize space if Canada accepted United States President Ronald Reagan’s invitation for joint research. The Chairman of the company, Gordon Mauchel, said that they were not in the business of building lasers for military purposes and were not about to start. Kanata Standard, April 4, 1985:28.
April 3, 1985
The Kanata Business Association held their annual meeting. The new Directors were Glenn Guilbault, Ken Tammadge, Wayne Godin, Greg Moloney, Sylvia Milne, Terry Kerr, Martin Haynes, Mike Casey, Dave McManus and Kathy Watt. Kanata Standard, April 11, 1985:18.
April 9, 1985
A deal was made between the City of Kanata and the city inside workers, averting the threat of a strike. Negotiators for the two sides reached a tentative one-year deal four days before employees were in a legal strike position. Kanata Standard, April 11, 1985:1.
April 9, 1985
Kanata City Council agreed to allow increased housing density for Iber Homes in a planned subdivision at Pickford Drive. Council initially limited Iber to 182 houses on lands on Pickford Drive, but the company appealed to the province, insisting that the City’s planning regulations allowed for 245 units on the site. Council approved 19 more houses. Alderman Niebergall said that this was a deal that everyone could live with. Kanata Standard, April 11, 1985:1.
April 10, 1985
The Carleton Board of Education approved the 1985 Budget. The operating budget was $187,818,953, a 7.4 percent increase in expenditures. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:6.
April 10, 1985
March Rural Association, after considerable debate, asked Kanata City Council to proceed slowly on the issue of gun control in order to give all rural residents the chance to join in the debate. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:22.
April 11, 1985
Digital Equipment of Canada moved its warehousing and distribution out of the Kanata headquarters to a newly leased warehouse on Carling Avenue in Kanata. Kanata Standard, April 11, 1985:1.
April 11, 1985
Trillium Telephone Systems Inc. posted a profit for the second time in its short history. The firm was formed in August, 1983 and was 71 percent owned by Mitel Corporation. It employed about 100 people. Kanata Standard, April 11, 1985:18.
April 15, 1985
A petition signed by 108 people against the installation of lights at the ball diamond in Frank McDonald Park was presented to the Glen Cairn Community Association. The request would later be heard at an Kanata City Council meeting. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:8.
April 16, 1985
Details of the one-year contract between inside workers and the City were released. The employees were to get a four percent increase in wages. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:1.
April 16, 1985
The March House restaurant, the South March Women’s Institute, and Mr. Charles Monk, were all nominated by Kanata City Council for the Friends of Heritage Certificate.
April 18, 1985
It was reported that Mitel Corporation was offering the Kanata Riding Club a barn on property behind the Thunderbird Club until they could move to their new location. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:1-2.
April 18, 1985
Mayor Marianne Wilkinson announced her intent to run for Mayor in the upcoming fall elections. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:3.
April 18, 1985
Kathy Bose wrote an article discussing how a substantial cut in grants was effecting the English as a Second Language Program in Kanata. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:11.
April 18, 1985
Mitel Corporation gained technical clearance for its Kontact workstation by Telecom Australia. Kanata Standard, April 18, 1985:32.
April 18, 1985
Staff and students of the Earl of March Secondary School, parents, and members of the Kanata Theatre presented West Side Story. Opening night had about 500 in the audience, and each of the next two nights had more than 700 people attend. Kanata Standard, April 25, 1985:6.
April 23, 1985
A proposed gun control by-law was discussed in a Policy and Operations Committee meeting. March Rural residents attended to oppose plans to restrict the use of guns in the rural area. At the time it was prohibited to discharge a firearm in the urban area of Kanata, but not in the rural area. Kanata Standard, April 25, 1985:1-2.
April 23, 1985
The Policy and Operations Committee gave initial approval to zoning for a new Campeau Corporation subdivision in the Marchwood community. Aldermen Adam objected to passing the zoning by-law. Kanata City Council was facing an Ontario Municipal Board hearing with Campeau over densities in the Marchwood development. Kanata Standard, April 25, 1985:1.
April 23, 1985
Campeau Corporation gave the Kanata Riding Club a three-month reprieve. Their April 30 eviction deadline was extended to July 31. With three months to prepare, the Club started a fundraising drive for the $150,000 needed for relocating. Kanata Standard, April 25, 1985:1-2; Kanata Standard, May 2, 1985:1.
April 25, 1985
The Standard published candidate profiles for the upcoming provincial election. The candidates for the Carleton riding were Hans Daigeler, Bob Mitchell, and Bea Murray. The candidates for the Carleton-Grenville riding were Dan Maxwell, Norm Sterling, and Alan White. Kanata Standard, April 25, 1985:3.
April 25, 1985
Leslie Jones featured Kanata resident Mark Fabri in the Standard. Fabri was on the national bobsledding team, training for the 1988 Winter Olympics. Kanata Standard, April 25, 1985:24,28.
1978
January 6, 1978
Dianne Pilsworth extended the thanks of Thermocell Insulation to Kanata residents for supporting the paper-recycling program in 1977. Kanata Standard, January 6, 1978:2.
January 6, 1978
A Kanata Standard editorial found the reaction of Councillors Lund and Kuhns, as expressed to the Ottawa Citizen, rather alarming regarding the Proposed Town Centre Plan. They reportedly stated that the Task Force had “violated their terms of reference.” Kanata Standard, January 6, 1978:2.
January 12, 1978
A well-attended public meeting was held to discuss the Town Centre Plan. Kanata Standard, January 20, 1978:1.
January 12, 1978
March Township Reeve Wilkinson gave her 1978 Address, covering many items of concern. Kanata Standard, January 20, 1978:1.
January 18, 1978
The Advisory Group No. 1 met at Council Chambers. They were involved in the public participation process with regard to Conservation Lands in Ottawa-Carleton. Kanata Standard, February 3, 1978:4.
January 20, 1978
Russ Finch, Chairman of the Committee of Adjustment, accepted the resignation of Lawrence Foley. Kanata Standard, January 20, 1978:7.
January 20, 1978
Local resident Robin McLeish, 21, was accepted as a member of the Canadian Ski Team. Kanata Standard, January 20, 1978:7.
January 24, 1978
Phillip Tresch presented at a public meeting the development plans for the historic Pinhey Property, situated on the Ottawa River in March Township. Kanata Standard, January 20, 1978:8.
January 25, 1978
The constitution for the Katimavik/Hazeldean-North Community Association was adopted at a General Meeting. The new 1978 executive included Doug Foster, Brian Sutton, Beth Potvin, and Bob Bertrand. Kanata Standard, February 3, 1978:3.
February 3, 1978
Digital Equipment of Canada Limited, with headquarters in Kanata, was the feature of an article in the Kanata Standard. Kanata Standard, February 3, 1978:1.
February 5, 1978
Ralph Dipple, pastor of Christ Risen Lutheran Church, gave his last sermon before moving to Indiana. Kanata Standard, February 3, 1978:1
February 6, 1978
The Earl of March Cross Country Ski Team won the Carleton Board of Education championship at Mont Cascades. Kanata Standard, February 17, 1978:11.
February 15, 1978
After being postponed once, a March Township Planning Board Public Meeting was held to discuss the Rural Official Plan policies with interested landowners. The document under scrutiny was called “Summary of DRAFT Rural Official Plan for the Township of March.” The meeting hall was overflowing with concerned landowners. Lorraine Croskery reported that during the meeting general land use and development policies were questioned in some detail, “with particular attention being paid to the problem of how quotas for severance and subdivision would be dealt with.” Kanata Standard, January 20, 1978:1; Kanata Standard, March 3, 1978:7.
February 17, 1978
Bob Kingham explained in an article the role of the Committee of Adjustment. He stated that it was a committee appointed by Council, but not influenced by Council, which conducts hearings dealing with minor variances to zoning by-laws and land severance applications. Kanata Standard, February 17, 1978:1.
February 17, 1978
A full-page notice appeared in the Kanata Standard outlining the process for the Conservation Lands Study in the Townships of West Carleton, March, and Goulbourn. Kanata Standard, February 17, 1978:5.
February 17, 1978
It was reported in the Standard that ex-March Reeve John Mlacak suffered a heart attack while visiting Toronto and that he was still recovering. Kanata Standard, February 17, 1978:11.
February 20, 1978
March Township Council criticized the Mayo Report and the decision of the Ontario Government to support the report. The document recommended that the communities of Kanata, Glen Cairn, and Bridlewood be amalgamated to form a new western urban community to be called Kanata. Council indicated that rural March should remain part of Kanata. Marianne Wilkinson later commented that “the only boundary change should be a movement of the southern boundary to Highway 7," which would mean that the Katimavik-Hazeldean North Community would all be within one municipality. Kanata Standard, March 3, 1978:1,2.
February 20, 1978
Roger Quesnel, representing a group of rural residents, requested that March Township Council support the construction of the West Carleton Development Road. There was no formal action by Council at the time. Kanata Standard, March 3, 1978:1.
February 20, 1978
Councillor Kuhns moved to lift the Commissioners’ report on the renewal of the building permit for the site on Teron Road and receive it as information. The area was left half-constructed by Campeau Corporation for nearly four years. The motion was passed unanimously. Kanata Standard, March 3, 1978:1.
March 3, 1978
It was announced that Marian Faubert was voted Winter Carnival Queen 1978. Kanata Standard, March 3, 1978:9.
March 8, 1978
March Township Council, following a long period of controversy, authorized the signing of an agreement between March and Nepean Townships which turned over all control of the National Capital Equestrian Park to Nepean Township. Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:2.
March 9, 1978
The second of two consecutive days of meetings organized by CBE Trustee J.D. Lyon dealt with the issue of severe overcrowding in Kanata schools. Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:10.
March 9, 1978
The Nepean-March Community Conservation Centre opened. It offered resources in many aspects of energy conservation. Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:13.
March 15, 1978
The 2nd Annual General Meeting of the National Capital Equestrian Park was held. Kanata Standard, March 31, 1978:11.
March 16, 1978
Jane White celebrated her 101st birthday. She and her husband moved to March Township in 1899. Kanata Standard, March 31, 1978:6.
March 17, 1978
Council signed a contract with R&R Construction for $696,913 to extend the John Mlacak Arena. Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:1.
March 17, 1978
Marianne Wilkinson, in her Commentary, stated that Provincial Treasurer D’Arcy McKeough informed her that legislation to create a new municipality was “imminent.” Differing from the Mayo Report recommendations, Council affirmed that “if this amalgamation occurs…the entire existing Township of March should become a part of the new municipality.” Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:1.
March 17, 1978
A statement from the Editorial Board of the Standard was published outlining the difficulties they were facing, primarily the result of losing some long-term members/volunteers. At the time, the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association (KBCA) subsidized the Standard. Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:2.
March 17, 1978
Chris Robinson announced an upcoming workshop called KANPLAN 3, which aimed at analyzing the requirements of a Town Centre by the Community. Robinson stated: “There have been public meetings, but these have tended to gloss over the voiced concerns and complaints and have concentrated on a formal presentation of plans as they have arrived at their various stages of preparedness.” He added that there was no reason to “relax our vigilance and stop voicing our opinions and concerns if we see things progressing not to our liking or if we see evidence of steamroller tactics.” Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:9.
April 5, 1978
A public meeting was held to inform residents of March Township about the impending boundary changes since they would affect March. Kanata Standard, March 31, 1978:1,9.
April 8, 1978
The Kinsmen Club of West-Carleton, in cooperation with the Kanata Minor Hockey Association, held the 1st Annual West-Carleton Kinsmen Tyke Invitational Hockey Tournament. Kanata Standard, March 31, 1978:9.
April 10, 1978
The Dunrobin Women’s Institute held their Annual Meeting and elected officers for the coming year. Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:13.
April 14, 1978
Donald Tate completed a series of feature articles n the Standard, beginning on March 17, on the conservation land issue in March Township. The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton had indicated 35 natural areas throughout the region that should be preserved. In dealing with this issue, Tate pointed out that the number one problem was “the conflict between conservation and urban development.” He urged all citizens to participate in the debate, particularly pro-conservation advocates, as several previous meetings had been dominated by rural landowners, “with the forces opposed to the plan predominating.” Kanata Standard, March 17, 1978:1,3; Kanata Standard, March 31, 1978:1; Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:8.
April 14, 1978
It was announced that Terry Bender resigned. He was the first member of the “Three Wise Men” hired by Council to run the Township’s affairs. Ron Andoff stated that Bender’s resignation was apparently the result of a conflict as to “who runs the administrative ship of state in March,” and went on to claim that the loss of the Township’s Chief Administrator at such a crucial point in time was a real problem. Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:1.
April 14, 1978
Colin Billowes wrote a feature in the Kanata Standard, “Law and Order in Kanata.” Billowes claimed that along with the increase of reported incidents, that there was also a rise in unreported crimes, ranging from vandalism, running cars off the road, by-law infractions, etc. He concluded: “For a community such as ours to have this problem is bad. For a community to ignore it is self-destructive.” Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:1,3.
April 14, 1978
It was announced that hockey player Kevin Rodney of Glen Cairn was the first winner of the Bill McNeill Memorial Trophy for High Scorer. Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:1.
April 14, 1978
March Township Councillor and AY Jackson Secondary School Principal, Pat Carrol, announced that he was seeking the Liberal nomination to run in the riding federal of Lanark-Renfrew-Carleton. Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:4.
April 14, 1978
A starting date of May 22nd for Mayfair ‘78 was announced. Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:10.
April 14, 1978
It was reported that the Town Centre Task Force for 1978 was selected by March Council to operate as an advisory committee to the Council and provide citizen input into the development of plans for the Town Centre. John Perchall was Chairman of the Task Force. Kanata Standard, April 14, 1978:13.
April 14, 1978
Approximately $6,000 damage to windows was done to Earl of March and Stephen Leacock schools. Two Kanata teenagers were charged with mischief in connection with the incident. Kanata Standard, April 28, 1978:2.
April 15, 1978
Pat Carrol was confirmed as the federal Liberal candidate for the riding of Lanark-Renfrew-Carleton. Kanata Standard, April 28, 1978:1.
April 15, 1978
The Town Centre Workshop, KANPLAN 3, was held. Kanata Standard, March 31, 1978:2,11.
April 25, 1978
The March Rural Association held a meeting to discuss possible boundary changes. Rural residents had previously been sent questionnaires that indicated if they were in favour of remaining with Kanata (in a new Western Urban Community of Kanata-Bridlewood-Hazeldean-Glen Cairn) or joining with West Carleton Township. The results showed that 48 residents responded in favour of joining West Carleton Township, and only 6 were in favour of remaining in the new Western Urban Community. Lorraine Croskery reported: “The feeling was also expressed that rural March should stay together as a community whether as part of the new Western Urban Community or as part of West Carleton Township. Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:1.
April 26, 1978
PC Paul Dick was acclaimed to run for a third term as MP for Lanark-Renfrew-Carleton. In his speech, Dick emphasized how important it was to get rid of the Trudeau Liberal government. Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:1.
April 28, 1978
George Sander wrote a feature for the Kanata Standard in response to Donald Tait’s series of articles in the Standard (March 17, March 31and April 4) on the Regional Conservation Plan and conservation issues in the region. Sander intended to make clear that there were “valid objections against the Region’s Conservation Plan,” and that the Plan was “unfair.” He also claimed that “the only fair way of creating conservation areas for the public is to purchase the land from the landowners,” and added that “if the problem is approached in a fair and business-like manner, I am convinced that a much better selection of land would result based on careful study.” Kanata Standard, April 28, 1978:1.
April 28, 1978
The Kanata-Glen Cairn Junior Girls won the Ottawa and District Championships in hockey. Kanata Standard, April 20, 1978:9.
April 28, 1978
At the April Annual Meeting of the South March Women’s Institute, the new Executive was determined. Kanata Standard, April 28, 1978:10.
May 2, 1978
Concerned landowners gathering at the March Central Community Centre signed a petition objecting to certain aspects of the Official Plan for rural March. Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:13.
May 2, 1978
March Township Council approved the 1978 Operating Budget, amounting to $3,254,706. Kanata Standard, May 26, 1978:10.
May 3, 1978
The Kanata Theatre opened their Arsenic and Old Lace production, directed by Laurence Thornton. Bob Knight congratulated Laurence Thornton and the cast for a successful end to the 1977-78 season for the Kanata Theatre. R. Dingley gave a positive review of the production. Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:11,12; Kanata Standard, April 28, 1978:8.
May 8, 1978
The Government of Ontario released its “White Paper” on the review of local government in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. It was proposed that a new urban municipality be established in the west of the region to include the whole of March Township and, as tightly as possible, those portions of Goulbourn and Nepean Townships which were in the western growth area of the Regional Plan. Marianne Wilkinson responded that “this municipality might be incorporated as a either a City or a Township,” and that the report indicated that the “implications of a city status at this time will have to fit the circumstances of this new municipality.” Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978.
May 12, 1978
Don Tate, continuing his series of articles on the Conservation Plan in the Standard (see March 17:1,3, March 31:1, and April 14:8), responded to a recent critique by George Sander. Sander (April 28:1) Sander had urged that land decisions be “fair” and guided by market evaluation. Tate rebutted that one problem was the “inability to evaluate all of the benefits of preserving land in a natural state.” Tate went on to present the philosophical perspectives of writer René Dubo and warnings of a “lack of meaning which will result if mankind continues to make choices for the future only in relation to negative issues, such as pollution and overpopulation.” Tate concluded that the key to solving the conflict rested in assuring a “fair market value” for the proposed conservation lands and that landowner rights must be protected, but added that “equally important, the limited amount of land suitable for conservation must also be protected.” Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:4.
May 12, 1978
An article by Jane Osborne on the Elsie Stapleford Child Development Centre appeared in the Kanata Standard. Osborne emphasized that there were strong planning and organization elements of the centre and that children were “always growing, always involved and always reaching toward being effective members in our society.” Kanata Standard, May 12, 1978:11.
May 22, 1978
Mayfair ‘78 began with several events, including a Teen Dance, BBQ, Beer Garden and Casino. Kanata Standard, May 26, 1978:8-9.
May 23, 1978
The local Association of Brownies and Guides held their Annual General Meeting, opened by President, Heather Bennett. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:11.
May 31, 1978
March Township submitted its official response to the Mayo Report. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:1.
June 6, 1978
The Kanata Texaco Ladies Invitational Golf Tournament was held, with 85 players participating. Many winners were from Kanata, including Pat Kirkconnell, Eunice Egan, Trudy Graham, Doreen Frarey, Bard Drover, Diana Emslie, Grace Bell, Vera Thompson, and Suzanne Sambleson. Kanata Standard, June 23, 1978:5.
June 9, 1978
Elyse Chan, a Grade 5 student in the French immersion program at Stephen Leacock School, won first prize in the cross-Canada essay contest, What Canada Means to Me. The essay was published in the Standard. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:1.
June 9, 1978
Council endorsed two improvements to transit services in the area, which focused the on addition of already “reliable fixed” routes in order to keep costs down. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:1.
June 9, 1978
The Township received two grants for assistance in developing plans for the Town Centre - a provincial planning grant of $20,000 and a special grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities of $15,000. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:3.
June 9, 1978
It was reported that Grade 4 and 5 students at Stephen Leacock School received 1st prize in a contest sponsored by the Carleton Board of Education French Department. Each class presented a play or part of a play in front of a panel of judges. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:4.
June 9, 1978
It was announced in the Standard that the People Place construction of the multi-purpose recreational extension of the John Mlacak Arena was on schedule. Completion was set for mid-September. Kanata Standard, June 9, 1978:7.
June 23, 1978
The Provincial government agreed to fund half the cost of a pedestrian bridge over the Queensway to link Katimavik and Beaverbrook communities. The total cost of bridge was estimated at $500,000. Kanata Standard, June 23, 1978:1.
June 23, 1978
Marianne Wilkinson, in her Commentary, stated that the previous week the Province decided not to proceed with legislation that would have created a western urban community comprising parts of Nepean and Goulbourn Townships and all of March Township. However, one week later the province introduced legislation that would create a new city, tentatively called March-Hazeldean (sic). Wilkinson stated that “failure to have a decision at this time, would mean that the Katimavik-Hazeldean North Community would remain within two jurisdictions,” and added that for various reasons Council had “supported the Goulbourn Township in a request for early action on the western urban community.” She conveyed that if the bill recently implemented was passed, then “we will be part of a new city on December 1, 1978.” The act was quickly passed that day, indicating the new City would comprise the whole of March Township, the Hazeldean and Glen Cairn areas of Goulbourn Township, and the Bridlewood area of Nepean. Wilkinson stated that residents would select the permanent name for the City by ballot on November 13. Kanata Standard, June 23, 1978:1; Kanata Standard, July 7, 1978:1.
June 23, 1978
Results of the Kanata Mayfair 1978 pet show were published in the Standard. Kanata Standard, June 23, 1978:7.
June 29, 1978
A second public meeting was held to deal with the Regional Municipality’s Conservation Lands proposal. Many opponents of the Plan attended, and many of the criticisms “continued to center around the potential loss in land value to the landowners, the lack of the overall plan, of good administrative arrangements, and questions related to whether the areas designated are in fact environmentally unique.” Kanata Standard, July 7, 1978:1.
July 7, 1978
The National Capital Equestrian Park launched a $200,000 fundraising program to finance the construction of a new indoor arena. Kanata Standard, July 7, 1978:7.
July 18, 1978
Councillors Lund and Carroll questioned Reeve Wilkinson on her regular column Commentary, indicating that her comments did not always reflect the thinking of Council. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:2.
July 21, 1978
It was reported that local resident Dr. Arther B. Irin had returned from a motorcycle trip to Belize. He covered over 15,000 miles in his journey in the US, Mexico, Belize and Canada. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:1.
July 21, 1978
An article in the Standard revealed that a feasibility study showed that Kanata’s newspaper recovery program was a success. The local program was reinvigorated after a local cellulose insulation firm, Thermocell Insulation, approached Council with the proposal to recycle newspapers in April, 1977. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:1.
July 21, 1978
New City ward boundaries were published in the Standard. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:1.
July 21, 1978
The editors of the Standard suggested that “Kanata” be the name of the newly formed City, in keeping with the original concept of Bill Teron when he felt that “Kanata should be a new Town where residents could achieve a sense of identity with the community, and where the community existed as an entity rather than rows of mass produced houses.” They went on to state that “the concept of Kanata as a town in which individual communities can flourish can apply equally to Bridlewood and Glen Cairn as well as the present communities of Beaverbrook and Katimavik. No identity need be lost, and the advantages are many.” Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:2.
July 21, 1978
Marianne Wilkinson, in her Commentary, outlined the Ward System for the new City. She also stated that she would be seeking the position of Mayor. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:2.
July 21, 1978
The Kanata Theatre had held its Annual General Meeting. Over 50 members were present. The new Executive included Annmarie Copple, Bob Horsey, Ron Maslin, Bill Williams, Dorothy Beak, Gwen Knight, Rosemarie Lawless, and John Gilliland. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:7.
July 27, 1978
A “long emotion-charged” meeting of the Goulbourn Planning Committee was held. A unanimous vote gave Admiral Leaseholds permission to build a 220,000 sq. ft. shopping mall near the corner of Eagleson Road and Hwy. 7. However, there was considerable debate from the approximately 60 residents who attended the meeting. This included March Township Reeve Marianne Wilkinson, who later stated: “I was no[t] permitted to present March Township’s concern although permission to do this had been requested earlier that day.” Council had expressed that the proposal exceeded the square footage maximum for community shopping centres in the regional Official Plan. Council stated in a letter: “March Township considers that the overall planning for the New City should be the major consideration in dealing with their shopping centre proposal. Hence it is recommended that Goulbourn Council not approve a plan in excess of 100,000 square feet. Any additional development sho[u]ld be left to the new city council to decide.” A Standard Editorial also stated: “The proposed development will not be good for anyone in the end, certainly not the residents affected, nor the Town Centre, nor potential community shops at Hazeldean North and Bridlewood. Even more strange were the actions of the planning committee, who voted unanimously to recommend the development, even those parts of it that had never been seen before and which the council’s own planing staff recommended against.” The complete presentation of concerned residents of Glen Cairn to the planning committee was also published in the Standard. Kanata Standard, August 4, 1978:1-3.
August 3, 1978
In the middle of the afternoon, a car with three youths plowed down trees on Penfield Drive. Only the driver was charged. The two other occupants fled the scene. Kanata Standard, August 18, 1978:1.
August 4, 1978
It was reported that Digital Equipment of Canada Ltd. opened its Phase III expansion and Educational Services Training Centre on Herzberg Road. This brought the company’s total manufacturing and office floor space in Kanata to 300,000 sq. ft. They employed 600 Kanata-area residents at the time. Kanata Standard, July 21, 1978:1.
August 4, 1978
Kanata lawyer Ray Simser began a series of articles Law and the Community in the Standard. Kanata Standard, August 4, 1978:4.
August 4, 1978
Marcel and Suzanne Tremblay, owner/operators of Kanata IGA, published a full-page plea for customers’ feedback on Gold Bond Stamps, and asked them to fill out a small questionnaire on the issue. If people’s responses indicated a decreased demand for Gold Bond Stamps, then they would pass this on to M. Loeb Ltd. and their lawyers in order to revise their franchise agreement. August 4, 1978:5.
August 8, 1978
A public meeting took place of March Township, Glen Cairn, and Bridlewood residents regarding the Hazeldean-March amalgamation. It was chaired by MPP Sid Handleman. The Standard reported: “Unfortunately, the strong impression was left that the legislation setting up the new city had been done in haste.” Kanata Standard, August 18, 1978:1,8.
August 9, 1978
Loeb officials, accompanied by six security guards and a locksmith, took over the Kanata IGA store, alleging that Mr. Tremblay had broken his franchise agreement in his recent publication in the Standard (April 4) of a poll to find out customer attitudes to giving out Gold Bond stamps with purchases. Paul Dick, Tremblay’s lawyer, arrived shortly after and reached an agreement that Loeb officials, guards, and locksmith would leave, pending further legal discussion. Later that night Loeb officials returned and attempted to take possession or padlock the store from the outside. Paul Dick and OPP members arrived on the scene. It was later determined in court that Loeb could not interfere with Marcel Tremblay’s business until there could be a hearing on the matter. Kanata Standard, August 18, 1978:1.
August 18, 1978
In a letter to the Editor, K. Richardson stated that “Kanata” was a “silly, tacky, name, such as developers are fond of appending to their subdivisions with no local historical connections. It is also a name much despised in the rural parts of March where it is synonymous with rising taxes, restrictions, and centralization of facilities.” Kanata Standard, August 18, 1978:2.
August 18, 1978
In a letter to the Editor, Helen Berry suggested that the new city be named Monklands, based on historical facts. She substantiated this idea by providing a bit of history on the descendants of George Monk. Kanata Standard, August 18, 1978:2.
August 20, 1978
A re-enactment of the arrival of Rev. Amos Ansley 150 years earlier was held on the Ottawa River shores of March Township. Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978:11.
August 20, 1978
The Kanata Riding Club had its second schooling show of the year. It was reported to be very successful. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:6.
September 1, 1978
Free distribution of the Kanata Standard to Bridlewood and Glen Cairn for a trial period of three months began. Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978:1.
September 1, 1978
In a feature in the Standard, Ron Andoff wrote about the confusion over how police and fire services would be administered in the new City. The three Townships involved already had Mutual Aid agreements. Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978:1.
September 1, 1978
In a letter to the Editor, Esther Watts wrote: “...I still believe, as my neighbors and friends do, that the new city should be left as Hazeldean or as a second choice Hazeldean-March. Let’s save our taxpayers money on naming a new city and spend it on making our neighborhood -- just beyond the fringe -- a happy one that we will be proud of.” Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978:2.
September 1, 1978
Kanata resident, cadet Captain Christian Bisaillion, 17, won an exchange trip to Germany. Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978:7.
September 1, 1978
The Township of March Auditors Report was published in the Standard. Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978.:8-9.
September 1, 1978
Fred Hawrysh wrote a feature for the Standard titled New Hydro Towers: A Closer Look, in which he explained the logistics of installing hydro towers. Kanata Standard, September 1, 1978:12.
September 9, 1978
Reeve Marianne Wilkinson participated in a panel in Toronto on Declining Enrolment in Ontario Schools. Wilkinson brought up the example of Katimavik, a community with 2,500 people that will eventually have a population of 15,000 - 18,000. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:2,4.
September 10, 1978
A General Meeting for the Kanata Theatre’s tenth season was held. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:11.
September 12, 1978
Campeau Corporation was given unanimous support by Council for their design of Phase I of the Kanata Town Centre, a combination shopping and office complex on the south side of the new Queensway extension. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:1,3.
September 12, 1978
Council decided that the new arena facility would be called the John Mlacak Centre, and that the extension be named the Bill McNeill Memorial Hall. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:1.
September 12, 1978
Council approved a cost-control budget of $399,000 for the new Katimavik pool and recreation centre. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:1.
September 15, 1978
Fire Prevention Officer Desmond Foley and 1st Class Fire Fighter Kevin Kavanagh of the March Township Fire Department received graduation diplomas from the Ontario Fire Marshall. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:1.
September 15, 1978
John Perchall, Doug Foster, and Doug Nash all announced their candidacies for Alderman in Ward 4, Katimavik-Hazeldean North, for upcoming municipal elections. Pat Carroll also announced his intention to run for Mayor of the new City. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:8.
September 15, 1978
Sharon Clayton put out a plea to “bolster Kanata community spirit,” and stated that the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association needed more help. Kanata Standard, September 15, 1978:9.
September 29, 1978
October was declared Public Library Development Month, and various events were planned at March Library throughout the month. The theme was “There is Something In It For You.” Kanata Standard, September 29, 1978:1; Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:19.
September 29, 1978
Pat Carroll resigned as federal Liberal candidate for the Lanark-Renfrew-Carleton riding. Carroll stated that he decided to devote his full attention to municipal affairs, having recently announced his candidacy for Mayor. Kanata Standard, September 29, 1978:1.
September 29, 1978
A full-page report on an upcoming Fire Prevention Week - October 8-14 - was published in the Standard, including the Fire Chief’s Message. Kanata Standard, September 29, 1978:6.
September 29, 1978
Marianne Wilkinson officially announced that she would run for Mayor of the new City of Hazeldean-March. She was first elected to March Council in 1969. Bob Kingham announced his candidacy for Alderman in Ward 2 and Bill Lund and Chris Robinson announced their candidacy for Alderman in Ward 3. Kanata Standard, September 29, 1978:8.
September 30, 1978
Edna and Leo Maxwell held an open celebration for their 35th wedding anniversary. Kanata Standard, September 29, 1978:11.
October 2, 1978
The Glen Cairn Community Association held its annual elections. Elected directors were Colin Gilleson, Diane Cowpland, Art Lawrence, Brian Wilson, Kristine Clark, and Janet Bell. Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:1.
October 4, 1978
A joint Council meeting was held with representatives from the Councils of March Township, Goulbourn, and Nepean to deal with the takeover of services when the new City is formed. Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:6.
October 5, 1978
The first General meeting of the Bridlewood Community Association was held. There was a disappointingly small turnout of approximately 35 people. A constitution was passed. New officers chosen were Bill Jackson, Stan Xavier, Eva James, and Mike James. Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:1.
October 10, 1978
Council passed the Official Rural Plan amid protests and concerns that Council was not representing the interests of the rural population. Councillor Lund stated: “It bothers me personally as a councillor that we are not protecting their concerns.” Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:5.
October 12, 1978
Marianne Wilkinson presented the March Township’s brief on hydro servicing in Kanata to the Deputy Minister of Energy and Hydro officials. Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:1.
October 13, 1978
One more choice for the new City name was added to the ballot. Thomas Wells, Ontario Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, stated that the name March would be included with Kanata, Hazeldean, and Kairnwood in the list for voters to pick from in choosing the new City’s name. Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:1.
October 13, 1978
Fred Hawrysh and Alan Sewards wrote about a recent public meeting. Some 60 Katimavik residents protested that the pool was being dug closer to their homes than the original plans had shown. The construction was different than the original concept plan. It was estimated that the pool could be moved back to the original plan’s position at a cost of $40-60,000. Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:1.
October 13, 1978
Marianne Wilkinson, in her Commentary, wrote that she would not continue with her regular column while she was a candidate for Mayor of the new City. Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:6.
October 13, 1978
Ihor Nakonecznyj announced he was running for Mayor of the new City. He was first elected to Goulbourn Council in 1974. Kanata Standard, October 13, 1978:8.
October 18, 1978
The Kanata Theatre presented Enter a Free Man as the opening performance for the 1978-79 season. Sharon Clayton, who reviewed the performance in the Standard, stated that the Kanata Theatre opened its tenth season by “living up to its excellent reputation.” Kanata Standard, September 29, 1978:16; Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:12.
October 24, 1978
Council approved a compromise on the Katimavik pool issue. A berm and other additional landscaping would be placed around the pool, at a cost of about $17,500. Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:1.
October 27, 1978
In a letter to the Editor, Gordon Young explained the important history of Hazeldean, and urged to “keep our historic name of Hazeldean; as it is known far and wide.” Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:2.
October 27, 1978
In Library Notes in the Standard, Joan Dodsworth urged people to return questionnaires put out by the Kanata Public Library in order to provide staff with important information on what library services people wanted. She gave her assurances that the Library Board was planning how to service all areas of the new city. Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:5.
October 27, 1978
The candidacies for Bob Cunningham and Charles Rogers for Alderman in Ward 5 and for Maurice Dubra in Ward 2 were announced. Kanata Standard, October 27, 1978:7,16.
October 27, 1978
Several cross-country ski enthusiasts gathered to discuss forming a ski club. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:6.
November 1, 1978
At a Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association (KBCA) meeting, the topic of concern surprisingly became the Kanata Standard newspaper. Many people related the concern that the Standard was biased in some of its reporting. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:1.
November 4, 1978
The Kanata March Hares Mosquito football team won the NEOFA Cup. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:7.
November 5, 1978
The Kanata Theatre held a General Meeting and opened its doors to allow new members from areas of the new city. Kanata Standard, November 24, 1978:14.
November 7, 1978.
The Ontario Provincial Police held a press conference regarding service to the new City as of December 1st. Kanata Standard, November 24, 1978:15.
November 10, 1978
Mitel Corporation announced that they would build a new headquarters and microcircuit fabrication building of approximately 100,000 sq. ft. on 10 acres of land of the Kanata North Business Park, and added that it would staff about 400 people within the first 18 months. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:1; Kanata Standard, November 24, 1978.
November 10, 1978
In a letter to the Editor, Lawrence Foley expressed why he felt the name March was best for the new City. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:8.
November 10, 1978
Carroll Foley was acclaimed as Alderman in Ward 1 (Rural March). Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:3.
November 10, 1978
Harold Moore declared himself a candidate for Alderman in Ward 4. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:3.
November 10, 1978
The Standard published Questions to Candidates for Alderman, where two questions were put to candidates for Alderman from all six wards. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:10-11.
November 10, 1978
The Standard published Questions to Candidates for Mayor, where four questions were put to all candidates for Mayor of the new City. Kanata Standard, November 10, 1978:18.
November 13, 1978
Elections were held, and it was determined that the new City would be called The City of Kanata. Marianne Wilkinson was elected as the first Mayor of the new city. The new Aldermen were Bob Kingham, Bill Lund, Doug Nash, Charles Rogers, and Jean Gubby. On the Carleton Board of Education was J.D. Lyon. The Standard published the results of the selection of Mayor, City name, CBE Trustees (pg.9) and for Alderman (pg.13). Kanata Standard, November 24, 1978:1-4,9,13.
November 17, 1978
The Annual Commencement of Grade 12 and 13 students was held at the Earl of March. Many awards were given out. Kanata Standard, December 8, 1978:10-11.
November 24, 1978
It was announced that a competition for creating a Logo for the City of Kanata would be held. Kanata Standard, November 24, 1978:1.
November 28, 1978
The last formal Council meeting for the Township of March was held. Kanata Standard, December 8, 1978:2.
December 2, 1978
The March Rural Association conducted a secret ballot asking landowners and residents of Rural March to vote, one of which was to indicate whether or not to have a study to look at the question of remaining part of the City of Kanata or ceding to the Municipality of West Carleton. Kanata Standard, November 9, 1979:2.
December 5, 1978
Council for the City of Kanata held an inaugural meeting with the newly elected Council. It was attended by George Ashe, Parliamentary Assistant and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Kanata Standard, December 8, 1978:1.
December 5, 1978
The Annual Organizational Meeting of the Carleton Separate School Board took place. It was the first meeting of the newly elected board. Kanata Standard, December 22, 1978:3.
December 8, 1978
Only 17 out of 40 cluster directors appeared at the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association (KBCA) meeting to elect the 1979 Executive. Kanata Standard, December 22, 1978:2.
December 6, 1978
Over 300 people turned up for the inaugural meeting of the Kanata Cross-Country Ski Club. Kanata Standard, December 22, 1978:1,14,15-16,20.
December 8, 1978
It was announced that six Kanata Ballet School dancers were selected to perform in Les Grands Ballets Canadiens’ mid-December production of The Nutcracker. They were Linda Saberton, Suzanne Caple, Michele Liang, Lori Estabrooks, Cheryl Callahan, and Laurie Sargent. Kanata Standard, December 8, 1978:1.
December 18, 1978
Kanata City Council recommended that their salaries stay as they were, at least until the 1979 budget was be drawn up. Kanata Standard, December 22, 1978:1,20.
December 27, 1978
Eight teams participated in the Tyke House League Hockey Tournament at Glen Cairn Arena. Kanata Standard, January 19, 1979:12.
French postcard by Euro-Images, St. Jean de Vedas, no. CP 73.Publicity still for All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976).
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
Romanian postcard by Casa Filmului Acin. Photo: publicity still for Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979).
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
The Postcard
A postcard published by Worzedialeck of Hamburg bearing an image of the Town Hall in Hamburg.
The card was posted in Hamburg on Monday the 11th. August 1930 to an address in Ashville Avenue, Eaglescliffe, Co. Durham.
Sir Sean Connery
So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?
Not a lot, but exactly two weeks later, on Monday the 25th. August 1930, a baby was born in Edinburgh who later became the Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery.
Sir Sean Connery, who was born Thomas Connery, was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983.
Originating the role in Dr. No, Connery played Bond in six of Eon Productions' entries, and made his final Bond appearance in the non-Eon-produced Never Say Never Again.
If non-Eon-produced Bond movies are included, Connery shares the record for the most portrayals as James Bond with Roger Moore (with seven apiece).
Following Sean's third appearance as Bond in Goldfinger (1964), in June 1965, Time magazine observed:
"James Bond has developed into the
biggest mass-cult hero of the decade".
Connery began acting in smaller theatre and television productions until his break-out role as Bond. Although he did not enjoy the off-screen attention the role gave him, the success of the Bond films brought Connery offers from notable directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet and John Huston.
Their films in which Connery appeared included Marnie (1964), The Hill (1965), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and The Man Who Would Be King (1975).
He also appeared in A Bridge Too Far (1977), Highlander (1986), The Name of the Rose (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Dragonheart (1996), The Rock (1996), Finding Forrester (2000), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
Connery officially retired from acting in 2006, although he briefly returned for voice-over roles in 2012.
His achievements in film were recognised with an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (including the BAFTA Fellowship), and three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award and a Henrietta Award.
In 1987, Sean was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, and he received the US Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 1999. Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama.
Sean Connery - The Early Years
Thomas Connery was born at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was named after his paternal grandfather.
He was brought up at No. 176 Fountainbridge, a block which has since been demolished. His mother, Euphemia McBain "Effie" McLean, was a cleaning woman. Connery's father, Joseph Connery, was a factory worker and lorry driver.
His father was a Roman Catholic, and his mother was a Protestant. Connery had a younger brother Neil, and was generally referred to in his youth as "Tommy".
Although Sean was small in primary school, he grew rapidly around the age of 12, reaching his full adult height of 6 ft. 2 in. (188 cm) at 18. Connery was known during his teen years as "Big Tam", and he said that he lost his virginity to an adult woman in an ATS uniform at the age of 14.
He had an Irish childhood friend named Séamus; when the two were together, those who knew them both called Connery by his middle name Sean, emphasising the alliteration of the two names. Since then Connery preferred to use his middle name.
Connery's first job was as a milkman in Edinburgh with St. Cuthbert's Co-operative Society. In 2009, Connery recalled a conversation in a taxi:
"When I took a taxi during a recent Edinburgh
Film Festival, the driver was amazed that I
could put a name to every street we passed.
"How come?" he asked. "As a boy I used to
deliver milk round here", I said. "So what do
you do now?" That was rather harder to answer."
In 1946, at the age of 16, Connery joined the Royal Navy, during which time he acquired two tattoos. Connery's official website says:
"Unlike many tattoos, his were not frivolous –
his tattoos reflect two of his lifelong
commitments: his family and Scotland. One
tattoo is a tribute to his parents, and reads
'Mum and Dad', and the other is self-explanatory,
'Scotland Forever'".
Sean trained in Portsmouth at the naval gunnery school and in an anti-aircraft crew. He was later assigned as an Able Seaman on HMS Formidable.
Connery was discharged from the navy at the age of 19 on medical grounds because of a duodenal ulcer, a condition that affected most of the males in previous generations of his family.
Afterwards, he returned to the Co-op and worked as a lorry driver, a lifeguard at Portobello swimming baths, a labourer, an artist's model for the Edinburgh College of Art, and after a suggestion by former Mr. Scotland Archie Brennan, as a coffin polisher, among other jobs.
The modelling earned him 15 shillings an hour. Artist Richard Demarco, at the time a student who painted several early pictures of Connery, described him as:
"Very straight, slightly shy, too,
too beautiful for words, a virtual
Adonis".
Connery began bodybuilding at the age of 18, and from 1951 trained heavily with Ellington, a former gym instructor in the British Army. While his official website states he was third in the 1950 Mr. Universe contest, most sources place him in the 1953 competition, either third in the Junior class or failing to place in the Tall Man classification.
Connery said that he was soon deterred from bodybuilding when he found that Americans frequently beat him in competitions because of sheer muscle size and, unlike Connery, refused to participate in athletic activity which could make them lose muscle mass.
Connery was a keen footballer, having played for Bonnyrigg Rose in his younger days. He was offered a trial with East Fife.
While on tour with South Pacific, Connery played in a football match against a local team that Matt Busby, manager of Manchester United, happened to be scouting. According to reports, Busby was impressed with Sean's physical prowess, and offered Connery a contract worth £25 a week (equivalent to £743 in 2021) immediately after the game. Connery said he was tempted to accept, but he recalls,
"I realised that a top-class footballer could
be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was
already 23. I decided to become an actor,
and it turned out to be one of my more
intelligent moves".
Sean Connery's Acting Career
(a) Pre-James Bond
Seeking to supplement his income, Connery helped out backstage at the King's Theatre in late 1951. During a bodybuilding competition held in London in 1953, one of the competitors mentioned that auditions were being held for a production of South Pacific, and Connery landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys.
By the time the production reached Edinburgh, he had been given the part of Marine Cpl. Hamilton Steeves, and was understudying two of the juvenile leads, and his salary was raised from £12 to £14–10s a week.
The production returned the following year, out of popular demand, and Connery was promoted to the featured role of Lieutenant Buzz Adams, which Larry Hagman had portrayed in the West End.
While in Edinburgh, Connery was targeted by the Valdor gang, one of the most violent in the city. He was first approached by them in a billiard hall where he prevented them from stealing his jacket and was later followed by six gang members to a 15-foot-high (4.6 m) balcony at the Palais de Danse.
There, Connery singlehandedly launched an attack against the gang members, grabbing one by the throat and another by the biceps and cracking their heads together. From then on, he was treated with great respect by the gang and gained a reputation as a "hard man".
Connery first met Michael Caine at a party during the production of South Pacific in 1954, and the two later became close friends. During this production at the Opera House, Manchester, over the Christmas period of 1954, Connery developed a serious interest in the theatre through American actor Robert Henderson, who lent him copies of the Ibsen works Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck, and When We Dead Awaken, and later listed works by the likes of Proust, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Bernard Shaw, Joyce, and Shakespeare for him to digest.
Henderson urged Sean to take elocution lessons, and got him parts at the Maida Vale Theatre in London. He had already begun a film career, having been an extra in Herbert Wilcox's 1954 musical Lilacs in the Spring alongside Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle.
Although Connery had secured several roles as an extra, he was struggling to make ends meet, and was forced to accept a part-time job as a babysitter for journalist Peter Noble and his actress wife Marianne, which earned him 10 shillings a night.
One night at Noble's house Sean met Hollywood actress Shelley Winters, who described Connery as:
"One of the tallest and most charming
and masculine Scotsmen I have ever
seen."
Shelley later spent many evenings with the Connery brothers drinking beer. Around this time, Connery was residing at TV presenter Llew Gardner's house.
Henderson landed Connery a role in a £6 a week Q Theatre production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution, during which he met and became friends with fellow Scot Ian Bannen.
This role was followed by Point of Departure and A Witch in Time at Kew, a role as Pentheus opposite Yvonne Mitchell in The Bacchae at the Oxford Playhouse, and a role opposite Jill Bennett in Eugene O'Neill's play Anna Christie.
During his time at the Oxford Theatre, Connery won a brief part as a boxer in the TV series The Square Ring, before being spotted by Canadian director Alvin Rakoff, who gave him multiple roles in The Condemned, shot on location in Dover in Kent.
In 1956, Connery appeared in the theatrical production of Epitaph, and played a minor role as a hoodlum in the "Ladies of the Manor" episode of the BBC Television police series Dixon of Dock Green.
This was followed by small television parts in Sailor of Fortune and The Jack Benny Program (in a special episode filmed in Europe).
In early 1957, Connery hired agent Richard Hatton, who got him his first film role, as Spike, a minor gangster with a speech impediment in Montgomery Tully's No Road Back.
In April 1957, Rakoff – after being disappointed by Jack Palance – decided to give the young actor his first chance in a leading role, and cast Connery as Mountain McLintock in BBC Television's production of Requiem for a Heavyweight, which also starred Warren Mitchell and Jacqueline Hill.
Sean then played a rogue lorry driver, Johnny Yates, in Cy Endfield's Hell Drivers (1957) alongside Stanley Baker, Herbert Lom, Peggy Cummins, and Patrick McGoohan.
Later in 1957, Connery appeared in Terence Young's poorly received MGM action picture Action of the Tiger; the film was shot on location in southern Spain.
He also had a minor role in Gerald Thomas's thriller Time Lock (1957) as a welder, appearing alongside Robert Beatty, Lee Patterson, Betty McDowall, and Vincent Winter. This commenced filming on the 1st. December 1956 at Beaconsfield Studios.
Connery had a major role in the melodrama Another Time, Another Place (1958) as a British reporter named Mark Trevor, caught in a love affair opposite Lana Turner and Barry Sullivan.
During filming, Turner's possessive gangster boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, who was visiting from Los Angeles, believed she was having an affair with Connery. Connery and Turner had attended West End shows and London restaurants together.
Stompanato stormed onto the film set and pointed a gun at Connery, only to have Connery disarm him and knock him flat on his back. Stompanato was banned from the set. Two Scotland Yard detectives advised Stompanato to leave and escorted him to the airport, where he boarded a plane back to the United States.
Connery later recounted that he had to lay low for a while after receiving threats from men linked to Stompanato's boss, Mickey Cohen.
In 1959, Connery landed a leading role in director Robert Stevenson's Walt Disney Productions film Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959). The film is a tale about a wily Irishman and his battle of wits with leprechauns.
Upon the film's initial release, A. H. Weiler of The New York Times praised the cast (save Connery whom he described as "merely tall, dark, and handsome") and thought the film:
"An overpoweringly charming concoction
of standard Gaelic tall stories, fantasy and
romance."
Sean also had prominent television roles in Rudolph Cartier's 1961 productions of Adventure Story and Anna Karenina for BBC Television, co-starring with Claire Bloom in the latter.
Also in 1961 he portrayed the title role in a CBC television film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth with Australian actress Zoe Caldwell cast as Lady Macbeth.
(b) James Bond: 1962–1971, 1983
Connery's breakthrough came in the role of British secret agent James Bond. He was reluctant to commit to a film series, but understood that if the films succeeded, his career would greatly benefit.
Between 1962 and 1967, Connery played 007 in Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice, the first five Bond films produced by Eon Productions.
After departing from the role, Connery returned for the seventh film, Diamonds Are Forever, in 1971. Connery made his final appearance as Bond in Never Say Never Again, a 1983 remake of Thunderball produced by Jack Schwartzman's Taliafilm.
All seven films were commercially successful. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, was selected as the third-greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute.
Connery's selection for the role of James Bond owed a lot to Dana Broccoli, wife of producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, who is reputed to have been instrumental in persuading her husband that Connery was the right man.
James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, originally doubted Connery's casting, saying:
"He's not what I envisioned of James
Bond looks. I'm looking for Commander
Bond and not an overgrown stunt-man."
He added that Connery (muscular, 6' 2", and a Scot) was unrefined. However Fleming's girlfriend Blanche Blackwell told Fleming that Connery had the requisite sexual charisma, and Fleming changed his mind after the successful Dr. No première.
He was so impressed, he wrote Connery's heritage into the character. In his 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, Fleming wrote that Bond's father was Scottish and from Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands.
Connery's portrayal of Bond owes much to stylistic tutelage from director Terence Young, who helped polish him while using his physical grace and presence for the action.
Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny, related that:
"Terence took Sean under his wing.
He took him to dinner, showed him
how to walk, how to talk, even how
to eat".
The tutoring was successful; Connery received thousands of fan letters a week after Dr. No's opening, and he became a major sex symbol in film.
Following the release of the film Dr. No in 1962, the line "Bond ... James Bond", became a catch phrase in the lexicon of Western popular culture. Film critic Peter Bradshaw writes:
"It is the most famous self-introduction
from any character in movie history.
Three cool monosyllables, surname first,
a little curtly, as befits a former naval
commander.
And then, as if in afterthought, the first
name, followed by the surname again.
Connery carried it off with icily disdainful
style, in full evening dress with a cigarette
hanging from his lips.
The introduction was a kind of challenge,
or seduction, invariably addressed to an
enemy.
In the early 60's, Connery's James Bond
was about as dangerous and sexy as it
got on screen."
During the filming of Thunderball in 1965, Connery's life was in danger in the sequence with the sharks in Emilio Largo's pool. He had been concerned about this threat when he read the script.
Connery insisted that Ken Adam build a special Plexiglas partition inside the pool, but this was not a fixed structure, and one of the sharks managed to pass through it. He had to abandon the pool immediately.
(c) Post-James Bond
Although Bond had made him a star, Connery grew tired of the role and the pressure the franchise put on him, saying:
"I am fed up to here with the whole
Bond bit. I have always hated that
damned James Bond. I'd like to kill
him."
Michael Caine said of the situation:
"If you were his friend in these early
days you didn't raise the subject of
Bond. He was, and is, a much better
actor than just playing James Bond,
but he became synonymous with
Bond. He'd be walking down the
street and people would say,
'Look, there's James Bond'.
That was particularly upsetting
to him."
While making the Bond films, Connery also starred in other films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964) and Sidney Lumet's The Hill (1965), which film critic Peter Bradshaw regards as his two great non-Bond pictures from the 1960's.
In Marnie, Connery starred opposite Tippi Hedren. Connery had said he wanted to work with Hitchcock, which Eon arranged through their contacts. Connery shocked many people at the time by asking to see a script, something he did because he was worried about being typecast as a spy, and he did not want to do a variation of North by Northwest or Notorious.
When told by Hitchcock's agent that Cary Grant had not asked to see even one of Hitchcock's scripts, Connery replied:
"I'm not Cary Grant."
Hitchcock and Connery got on well during filming, and Connery said he was happy with the film "with certain reservations".
In The Hill, Connery wanted to act in something that wasn't Bond related, and he used his leverage as a star to feature in it. While the film wasn't a financial success, it was a critical one, debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and winning Best Screenplay.
The first of five films he made with Lumet, Connery considered him to be one of his favourite directors. The respect was mutual, with Lumet saying of Connery's performance in The Hill:
"The thing that was apparent to me –
and to most directors – was how much
talent and ability it takes to play that
kind of character who is based on charm
and magnetism.
It's the equivalent of high comedy, and
he did it brilliantly."
In the mid-1960's, Connery played golf with Scottish industrialist Iain Maxwell Stewart, a connection which led to Connery directing and presenting the documentary film The Bowler and the Bunnet in 1967.
The film described the Fairfield Experiment, a new approach to industrial relations carried out at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Glasgow, during the 1960s; the experiment was initiated by Stewart and supported by George Brown, the First Secretary in Harold Wilson's cabinet, in 1966.
The company was facing closure, and Brown agreed to provide £1 million (£13.135 million; US$15.55 million in 2021 terms) to enable trade unions, the management and the shareholders to try out new ways of industrial management.
Having played Bond six times, Connery's global popularity was such that he shared a Golden Globe Henrietta Award with Charles Bronson for "World Film Favorite – Male" in 1972.
He appeared in John Huston's The Man Who Would Be King (1975) opposite Michael Caine. Playing two former British soldiers who set themselves up as kings in Kafiristan, both actors regarded it as their favourite film.
The same year, Sean appeared in The Wind and the Lion opposite Candice Bergen who played Eden Perdicaris (based on the real-life Perdicaris incident), and in 1976 played Robin Hood in Robin and Marian opposite Audrey Hepburn.
Film critic Roger Ebert, who had praised the double act of Connery and Caine in The Man Who Would Be King, praised Connery's chemistry with Hepburn, writing:
"Connery and Hepburn seem to have
arrived at a tacit understanding
between themselves about their
characters. They glow. They really
do seem in love."
During the 1970's, Connery was part of ensemble casts in films such as Murder on the Orient Express (1974) with Vanessa Redgrave and John Gielgud, and played a British Army general in Richard Attenborough's war film A Bridge Too Far (1977), co-starring with Dirk Bogarde and Laurence Olivier.
In 1974, he starred in John Boorman's sci-fi thriller Zardoz. Often called one of the weirdest and worst movies ever made, it featured Connery in a scarlet mankini – a revealing costume which generated much controversy for its unBond-like appearance.
Despite being panned by critics at the time, the film has developed a cult following since its release. In the audio commentary to the film, Boorman relates how Connery would write poetry in his free time, describing him as:
"A man of great depth and intelligence,
as well as possessing the most
extraordinary memory."
In 1981, Connery appeared in the film Time Bandits as Agamemnon. The casting choice derives from a joke Michael Palin included in the script, which describes the character's removing his mask and being:
"Sean Connery – or someone
of equal but cheaper stature".
When shown the script, Connery was happy to play the supporting role.
In 1981 he portrayed Marshal William T. O'Niel in the science fiction thriller Outland. In 1982, Connery narrated G'olé!, the official film of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
That same year, he was offered the role of Daddy Warbucks in Annie, going as far as taking voice lessons for the John Huston musical before turning down the part.
Connery agreed to reprise Bond as an ageing agent 007 in Never Say Never Again, released in October 1983. The title, contributed by his wife, refers to his earlier statement that he would "never again" return to the role.
Although the film performed well at the box office, it was plagued with production problems: strife between the director and producer, financial problems, the Fleming estate trustees' attempts to halt the film, and Connery's wrist being broken by the fight choreographer, Steven Seagal.
As a result of his negative experiences during filming, Connery became unhappy with the major studios, and did not make any films for two years. Following the successful European production The Name of the Rose (1986), for which he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor, Connery's interest in more commercial material was revived.
That same year, a supporting role in Highlander showcased his ability to play older mentors to younger leads, which became a recurring role in many of his later films.
In 1987, Connery starred in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables, where he played a hard-nosed Irish-American cop alongside Kevin Costner's Eliot Ness. The film also starred Andy Garcia and Robert De Niro as Al Capone.
The film was a critical and box-office success. Many critics praised Connery for his performance, including Roger Ebert, who wrote:
"The best performance in the movie
is Connery. He brings a human element
to his character; he seems to have had
an existence apart from the legend of
the Untouchables, and when he's
onscreen we can believe, briefly, that
the Prohibition Era was inhabited by
people, not caricatures."
For his performance, Connery received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Connery starred in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), playing Henry Jones Sr., the title character's father, and received BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominations. Harrison Ford said Connery's contributions at the writing stage enhanced the film:
"It was amazing for me in how far he got
into the script and went after exploiting
opportunities for character.
His suggestions to George Lucas at the
writing stage really gave the character
and the picture a lot more complexity
and value than it had in the original
screenplay.
Sean's subsequent box-office hits included The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Russia House (1990), The Rock (1996), and Entrapment (1999). In 1996, he voiced the role of Draco the dragon in the film Dragonheart.
He also appeared in a brief cameo as King Richard the Lionheart at the end of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). In 1998, Connery received the BAFTA Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Connery's later films included several box-office and critical disappointments such as First Knight (1995), Just Cause (1995), The Avengers (1998), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).
The failure of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was especially frustrating for Connery. He sensed during shooting that the production was "going off the rails", and announced that the director, Stephen Norrington should be "locked up for insanity".
Connery spent considerable effort in trying to salvage the film through the editing process, ultimately deciding to retire from acting rather than go through such stress ever again.
However, he received positive reviews for his performance in Finding Forrester (2000). He also received a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.
In a 2003 UK poll conducted by Channel 4, Connery was ranked eighth on their list of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars.
Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings films, saying he did not understand the script. He was reportedly offered US$30 million along with 15% of the worldwide box office receipts, which would have earned him US$450 million.
He also turned down the opportunity to appear as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series and the Architect in The Matrix trilogy.
In 2005, he recorded voiceovers for the From Russia with Love video game with recording producer Terry Manning in the Bahamas, and provided his likeness. Connery said he was happy the producers, Electronic Arts, had approached him to voice Bond.
(d) Retirement
When Connery received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award on the 8th. June 2006, he confirmed his retirement from acting.
Connery's disillusionment with the "idiots now making films in Hollywood" was cited as a reason for his decision to retire.
On the 7th. June 2007, he denied rumours that he would appear in the fourth Indiana Jones film, saying:
"Retirement is just too
much damned fun."
In 2010, a bronze bust sculpture of Connery was placed in Tallinn, Estonia, outside The Scottish Club, whose membership includes Estonian Scotophiles and a handful of expatriate Scots.
In 2012, Connery briefly came out of retirement to voice the title character in the Scottish animated film Sir Billi. Connery served as executive producer for an expanded 80-minute version.
Sean Connery's Personal Life
During the production of South Pacific in the mid-1950's, Connery dated a Jewish "dark-haired beauty with a ballerina's figure", Carol Sopel, but was warned off by her family.
He then dated Julie Hamilton, daughter of documentary filmmaker and feminist Jill Craigie. Given Connery's rugged appearance and rough charm, Hamilton initially thought he was an appalling person and was not attracted to him until she saw him in a kilt, declaring him to be the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
He also shared a mutual attraction with jazz singer Maxine Daniels, whom he met whilst working in theatre. He made a pass at her, but she told him she was already happily married with a daughter.
Connery was married to actress Diane Cilento from 1962 to 1974, though they separated in 1971. They had a son, actor Jason Joseph. Connery was separated in the early 1970's when he dated Dyan Cannon, Jill St. John, Lana Wood, Carole Mallory, and Magda Konopka.
In her 2006 autobiography, Cilento alleged that he had abused her mentally and physically during their relationship. Connery cancelled an appearance at the Scottish Parliament in 2006 because of controversy over his alleged support of abuse of women.
He denied claims that he told Playboy magazine in 1965:
"I don't think there is anything
particularly wrong in hitting a
woman, though I don't
recommend you do it in the
same way you hit a man".
He was also reported to have stated to Vanity Fair in 1993:
"There are women who take it
to the wire. That's what they are
looking for, the ultimate
confrontation. They want a smack."
In 2006, Connery told The Times of London:
"I don't believe that any level of
abuse of women is ever justified
under any circumstances. Full stop".
When knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 he wore a green-and-black hunting tartan kilt of his mother's MacLean clan.
Connery was married to French-Moroccan painter Micheline Roquebrune (born 4th. April 1929) from 1975 until his death. The marriage survived a well-documented affair Connery had in the late 1980's with the singer and songwriter Lynsey de Paul, which she later regretted due to his views concerning domestic violence.
Connery owned the Domaine de Terre Blanche in the South of France from 1979. He sold it to German billionaire Dietmar Hopp in 1999.
He was awarded an honorary rank of Shodan (1st. dan) in Kyokushin karate.
Connery relocated to the Bahamas in the 1990's; he owned a mansion in Lyford Cay on New Providence.
Connery had a villa in Kranidi, Greece. His neighbour was King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, with whom he shared a helicopter platform.
Growing up, Connery supported the Scottish football club Celtic F.C., having been introduced to the club by his father who was a lifelong fan of the team.
Later in life, Connery switched his loyalty to Celtic's bitter rival, Rangers F.C., after he became close friends with the team's chairman, David Murray.
Sean was a keen golfer, and English professional golfer Peter Alliss gave Connery golf lessons before the filming of the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, which involved a scene where Connery, as Bond, played golf against gold magnate Auric Goldfinger at Stoke Park Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.
The golf scene saw him wear a Slazenger v-neck sweater, a brand which Connery became associated with while playing golf in his free time, with a light grey marl being a favoured colour.
Record major championship winner and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus said:
"He loved the game of golf – Sean
was a pretty darn good golfer! –
and we played together several
times.
In May 1993, Sean and legendary
driver Jackie Stewart helped me
open our design of the PGA
Centenary Course at Gleneagles
in Scotland."
Sean Connery's Political Views
Connery's Scottish roots and his experiences in filming in Glasgow's shipyards in 1966 inspired him to become a member of the centre-left Scottish National Party (SNP), which supports Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
In 2011, Connery said:
"The Bowler and the Bunnet was just
the beginning of a journey that would
lead to my long association with the
Scottish National Party."
Connery supported the party both financially and through personal appearances. In 1967, he wrote to George Leslie, the SNP candidate in the 1967 Glasgow Pollok by-election, saying:
"I am convinced that with our resources
and skills we are more than capable of
building a prosperous, vigorous and
modern self-governing Scotland in which
we can all take pride and which will
deserve the respect of other nations."
His funding of the SNP ceased in 2001, when the UK Parliament passed legislation prohibiting overseas funding of political activities in the United Kingdom.
Dean Connery's Tax Status
In response to accusations that he was a tax exile, Connery released documents in 2003 showing he had paid £3.7 million in UK taxes between 1997 and 1998 and between 2002 and 2003. Critics pointed out that had he been continuously residing in the UK for tax purposes, his tax rate would have been far higher.
In the run-up to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Connery's brother Neil said that Connery would not come to Scotland to rally independence supporters, since his tax exile status greatly limited the number of days he could spend in the country.
After Connery sold his Marbella villa in 1999, Spanish authorities launched a tax evasion investigation, alleging that the Spanish treasury had been defrauded of £5.5 million.
Connery was subsequently cleared by officials, but his wife and 16 others were charged with attempting to defraud the Spanish treasury.
The Death and Legacy of Sean Connery
Connery died in his sleep on the 31st. October 2020, aged 90, at his home in the Lyford Cay community of Nassau in the Bahamas. His death was announced by his family and Eon Productions; although they did not disclose the cause of death, his son Jason said he had been unwell for some time.
A day later, Roquebrune revealed he had suffered from dementia in his final years. Connery's death certificate recorded the cause of death as pneumonia and respiratory failure, and the time of death was listed as 1:30 am.
Sean's remains were cremated, and the ashes were scattered in Scotland at undisclosed locations in 2022.
Following the announcement of his death, many co-stars and figures from the entertainment industry paid tribute to Connery, including Sam Neill, Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Michael Bay, Tippi Hedren, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, George Lucas, Shirley Bassey, Kevin Costner, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Barbra Streisand, John Cleese, Jane Seymour and Harrison Ford, as well as former Bond stars George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, the family of late former Bond actor Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig, who played 007 until No Time to Die.
Connery's long-time friend Michael Caine called him:
"A great star, brilliant actor
and a wonderful friend".
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli released a statement saying that:
"Connery has revolutionized the world
with his gritty and witty portrayal of the
sexy and charismatic secret agent.
He is undoubtedly largely responsible
for the success of the film series, and
we shall be forever grateful to him".
In 2004, a poll in the UK Sunday Herald recognised Connery as "The Greatest Living Scot," and a 2011 EuroMillions survey named him "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure".
He was voted by People magazine as the "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 and the "Sexiest Man of the Century" in 1999.
Final Thoughts From Sir Sean Connery
"I am not an Englishman, I was never an
Englishman, and I don't ever want to be
one. I am a Scotsman! I was a Scotsman,
and I will always be one."
"I admit I'm being paid well, but it's no more
than I deserve. After all, I've been screwed
more times than a hooker."
"Love may not make the world go round,
but I must admit that it makes the ride
worthwhile."
"There is nothing like a challenge to bring
out the best in man."
"I like women. I don't understand them,
but I like them."
"Some age, others mature."
"I met my wife through playing golf. She is
French and couldn't speak English, and I
couldn't speak French, so there was little
chance of us getting involved in any boring
conversations - that's why we got married
really quickly."
"Everything I have done or attempted to do
for Scotland has always been for her benefit,
never my own, and I defy anyone to prove
otherwise."
"The knighthood I received was a fantastic
honor but it's not something I've ever used,
and I don't think I ever will."
"I never trashed a hotel room or did drugs."
"More than anything else, I'd like to be an
old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or
Picasso."
"Laughter kills fear, and without fear there
can be no faith. For without fear of the devil
there is no need for God."
"Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would
be even worse at doing anything else."
"I'm an actor - it's not brain surgery. If I do
my job right, people won't ask for their
money back."
"I haven't found anywhere in the world
where I want to be all the time. The best
of my life is the moving. I look forward to
going."
American postcard by Coral-Lee, Rancho Cordova, no. CL/Personality # 113. Photo: Greg Gorman. Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982).
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19 when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part in a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned with the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006) but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behaviour. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.
Romanian postcard by Casa Filmului Acin.
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
Belgian postcard by Joepie / Raider Bounty. Photo: publicity still for Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979).
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
Spanish-Canadian postcard by Bergas / Photos Vedettes, Charlesbourg, 1977.
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar–winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theater since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19, when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree, but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part on a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned in the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in with the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006), but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behavior. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would go on to have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
American postcard by Coral-Lee, Rancho Cordova, no. CL/Personality # 112. Photo: Greg Gorman. Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982).
Dustin Hoffman (1937) is an Oscar-winning American actor with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. Hoffman has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters. He has earned acclaim for his work in such films as The Graduate (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988). Hoffman made his directorial debut with Quartet (2012).
Dustin Lee Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. His parents were Lillian and Harry Hoffman. Although he is Jewish, Hoffman and his brother were raised in a relatively secular household. Hoffman's acting career began at age 19 when he dropped out of college to pursue the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. There, Hoffman befriended another young actor, Gene Hackman. Eventually, the two would both move to New York City where they lived together with Robert Duvall, all three of them looking for work in television and off-Broadway plays. Hoffman studied at Actors Studio and became a dedicated method actor. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and the occasional bit role. Slowly but surely, Hoffman began building a strong reputation through smaller roles. Hoffman acted in a few Broadway productions, including the play, Eh? in 1966, for which he won a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award. Word of mouth soon reached Hollywood, and Hoffman made his film debut in The Tiger Makes Out (1967), alongside Eli Wallach. In 1966, director Mike Nichols auditioned Hoffman for a lead role in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree but rejected him because he could not sing well enough and gave Alan Alda the part. But Nichols was so impressed with Hoffman's overall audition he cast him as Benjamin Braddock, who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college, in The Graduate (1967). This enormously popular movie changed the landscape of American cinema in the 1960s, and would in turn make Hoffman an unlikely star. In 1969, Hoffman struck gold again with the gritty Midnight Cowboy (John Schlesinger, 1969), in which he played the part of Ratso Rizzo, a homeless man in New York City. This performance garnered him a second Oscar nomination. Also in 1969, Hoffman co-starred with Mia Farrow in John and Mary (Peter Yates, 1969). He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received a 1970 BAFTA Award for his role, although the film received mixed reviews.
On a roll in the 1970s, Dustin Hoffman starred in several acclaimed movies, including Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971), Papillon (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1973), and Lenny (Bob Fosse, 1974). Another highlight was the political thriller All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976) about the Watergate scandal, which starred Hoffman and Robert Redford as the real-life journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Hoffman next starred in the thriller Marathon Man (John Schlesinger, 1976). based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, opposite Laurence Olivier and Roy Scheider He finally won an Academy Award for his performance in Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also nabbing an Oscar. In 1982, playing yet another antihero, Hoffman starred in the comedy Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982) as Michael Dorsey, a down-and-out actor who must dress up as a woman to get a part in a daytime soap opera. Tootsie earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Hoffman's fifth nomination. Following a brief but successful return to the stage in Death of a Salesman and The Merchant of Venice, Hoffman starred in the Hollywood smash Rain Man (Barry Levinson, 1988) alongside Tom Cruise. Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic genius earned him a second Academy Award and remains one of his most iconic performances.
The 1990s brought Dustin Hoffman appearances in a series of big-budget movies that proved largely disappointing at the box office. He returned with the revenge drama/legal thriller Sleepers (Barry Levinson, 1996) with Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Kevin Bacon. Hoffman's next critically acclaimed role was in the political satire Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson, 1997). Playing an unscrupulous Hollywood executive out to fool the public into thinking the country was at war, he scored yet another Oscar nomination. In 2004, Hoffman again exhibited his comedic prowess when he starred with Lily Tomlin in an offbeat movie about a detective team that solves existential crises, I Heart Huckabees (David O'Russell, 2004). Further cementing his new direction, he went on to appear in the Ben Stiller comedies Meet the Fockers (Jay Roach, 2004) and Little Fockers (Paul Weitz, 2010), and the children's fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Zach Helm, 2007). Hoffman continues to star in blockbuster films like Stranger than Fiction (2006) but also seeks out new and different projects, such as lending his voice to the animated children's movies Kung Fu Panda and The Tale of Despereaux (both 2008). He made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet, and in 2014 he joined the ensemble cast of Jon Favreau's critically acclaimed Chef. In 2016, he won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his work on Roald Dahl's Esio Trot. In the fall of 2017, after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment allegations rocked Hollywood, Hoffman became one of the actors forced to account for past behaviour. Writer Anna Graham Hunter, who was 17 when she interned on the set of the Death of a Salesman TV movie in 1985, recounted the older actor asking about her sex life and groping her. In December, a new round of reports surfaced in which five women accused Hoffman of sexual assault or harassment, including accounts of the actor exposing himself and forced sexual activity. Hoffman denied. Apart from his successful professional work, Hoffman married Anne Byrne in 1969. He adopted her daughter, Karina, from a previous marriage, and in 1970 their second daughter, Jenna, was born. After more than 10 years of marriage, Hoffman and Anne divorced in 1980. Soon after, he married attorney Lisa Gottsegen. They would have four children: Jacob Edward, Rebecca Lillian, Maxwell Geoffrey and Alexandra Lydia.
Sources: Biography.com, Wikipedia and IMDb.
And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.