Sir Sean Connery is popularly known for being the first actor to portray the famous fictional British secret agent James Bond on-screen. He starred in a total of seven James Bond movies from 1962 to 1983, with Never Say Never Again being his last appearance as the 007 agent.
The Scottish actor was regarded as one of the finest actors in the industry and for his service to drama he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France and a Knight by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000. Not only was Sean Connery a brilliant actor, but he was also one of the brave ones who faced a real-life mobster with no hesitance on his face.
Jay Leno says Sir Sean Connery was a ‘tough guy’
Jay Leno appeared on The Pete and Sebastian Show, and during the conversation, the television host and comedian remembered the late Sir Sean Connery and called him a tough guy. Leno explained about the infamous incident that took place when Sean Connery was working with Lana Turner on Another Time, Another Place.
Actress Lana Turner was dating a mob bodyguard and enforcer, Johnny Stampanato, who did not like the way Turner and Connery’s public outings were rolling out in the media. According to Den of Geek, tabloids at the time ran pictures of the actor escorting the actress to shows on the West End and dining out at London’s fanciest restaurants.
The boyfriend wasn’t too pleased with the things he read in the newspaper or heard from people about another man with his woman. The reports suggested that Stampanato not only threatened the actress but had appeared on the sets where the actors were filming. After a few takes, he walked into the frame and pointed a pistol at Connery’s head. Recalling the same incident, Jay Leno shared,
“Lana Turner was doing a movie with Sean Connery. I guess she’s flirting with Sean Connery, so Johnny Stampanato shows up on the set, puts a gun to his head, and says, ‘Don’t mess with my woman.’ Sean Connery grabs the gun, whacks him in the head, takes out the bullet, and goes, ‘Don’t bring a gun to my workplace.’ And throws the gun away.”
Den of Geek reported that Turner called up Scotland Yard to escort Stampanato from the set, and the mob enforcer was deported for breaking England’s gun laws. There has been no footage available for the incident that was supposedly caught on camera.
Sir Sean Connery wasn’t Ian Fleming’s choice for James Bond
With buzz surrounding Aaron Taylor-Johnson being offered to play 007 agent after Daniel Craig, fans decided to revisit the actor who started the phenomenon of James Bond. Sir Sean Connery appeared as James Bond for the first time in Dr. No in 1962, followed by his appearances in From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and Never Say Never Again.
Creator Ian Fleming had his doubts about casting Sean Connery as James Bond, as he shared (Via HuffPost)
“He’s not what I envisioned of James Bond look. I’m looking for Commander Bond, not an overgrown stunt man.”
But after watching his performance in Dr. No, the creator believed that the Scottish actor did a superb job, and he incorporated the actor’s heritage into the character. In You Only Live Twice, Ian Fleming wrote that James Bond’s father was Scottish and from the town of Glencoe.
Despite the actor always acknowledging that playing James Bond helped him become a star, he did not like playing the character. He felt like the character prevented his true acting capabilities from appearing on screen. He said (via The Guardian)
“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.”
Sir Michael Caine had shared (via Far Out Magazine) that Connery was a much better actor than just playing James Bond, but he became synonymous with the character, and it was particularly upsetting to him.
Never Say Never Again is available to stream on Prime Video.
