01of 07Sean Connery’s Humble BeginningsSean Connery.GettyBorn in Fountainbridge, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 1930, Sean Connery spoke openly about growing up without much money.In an oft-quoted anecdote, Connery claimed that, as an infant, he would be put to sleep in a dresser drawer because his parents couldn’t afford a crib.Before his acting career, Connery had a number of odd jobs, ranging from painting coffins to construction work to modeling nude for a local art school. He also had a failed three-year stint in the Royal Navy as a teenager.

01of 07

Sean Connery’s Humble Beginnings

Sean Connery.Getty

Sean Connery

Born in Fountainbridge, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 1930, Sean Connery spoke openly about growing up without much money.

In an oft-quoted anecdote, Connery claimed that, as an infant, he would be put to sleep in a dresser drawer because his parents couldn’t afford a crib.

Before his acting career, Connery had a number of odd jobs, ranging from painting coffins to construction work to modeling nude for a local art school. He also had a failed three-year stint in the Royal Navy as a teenager.

02of 07

Sean Connery’s Show Business Start

Sean Connery.Kobal/Shutterstock

Sean Connery

Connery got his first taste of the limelight in 1953 when he joined the Mr. Universe bodybuilding contest in London.

Although he only ended up placing third, the 6-ft., 2-in. Scotsman caught the eye of a local casting director and later landed a part in the chorus in the London production ofSouth Pacific.

03of 07Sean Connery’s Game-Changing RoleSean Connery.GettyAfter years of working in theater and television, Connery got the role that would change everything for him.In 1962, the actor was catapulted to superstardom as he became the first actor to ever step into James Bond’s shoes inDr. No.He would go on to star in a total of seven films in the beloved series, includingFrom Russia with Love,GoldfingerandYou Only Live Twice.His final film as 007 was 1983’sNever Say Never Again.

03of 07

Sean Connery’s Game-Changing Role

Sean Connery

After years of working in theater and television, Connery got the role that would change everything for him.

In 1962, the actor was catapulted to superstardom as he became the first actor to ever step into James Bond’s shoes inDr. No.He would go on to star in a total of seven films in the beloved series, includingFrom Russia with Love,GoldfingerandYou Only Live Twice.

His final film as 007 was 1983’sNever Say Never Again.

04of 07

Sean Connery’s Career Accolades

John Barr/Liaison

Sean Connery

Outside of his Bond filmography, the Scotsman was most fondly remembered for two roles: as Indiana Jones' testy, persnickety father in 1989’sIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade,and as the doomed Irish cop Jimmy Malone in 1987’s gangster epicThe Untouchables —for which he won an Academy Award.

05of 07Sean Connery as the Sexiest Man AliveSean Connery.Connery, who was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 at the age of 59, would experience a reinvention of sorts in the ’90s with a string of high-octane pulse-racers, includingThe Hunt for Red October,The RockandDragonheart,in which he lent his thundering voice to the film’s mythic beast.

05of 07

Sean Connery as the Sexiest Man Alive

Sean Connery.

Sean Connery

Connery, who was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 at the age of 59, would experience a reinvention of sorts in the ’90s with a string of high-octane pulse-racers, includingThe Hunt for Red October,The RockandDragonheart,in which he lent his thundering voice to the film’s mythic beast.

06of 07Sean Connery’s Personal LifeSean Connery and his Micheline Roquebrune in 1990.GettyConnery was married twice — first to Australian actress Diane Cilento, whom he divorced in 1973, and then to French-Moroccan artist Micheline Roquebrune (pictured), with whom he had a son, Jason.

06of 07

Sean Connery’s Personal Life

Sean Connery and his Micheline Roquebrune in 1990.Getty

Sean Connery

Connery was married twice — first to Australian actress Diane Cilento, whom he divorced in 1973, and then to French-Moroccan artist Micheline Roquebrune (pictured), with whom he had a son, Jason.

07of 07

Sean Connery Steps Out of the Spotlight

Sean Connery

Connery would last headline a film in 2003, starring in the fantasy thrillerThe League of Extraordinary Gentleman.

source: people.com