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Legendary actor Sir Sean Connery has passed away in his sleep of natural causes at the age of 90, according to multiple news sources, like the BBC.

While perhaps best remembered for his being the first (and arguably best) actor to play James Bond on cinema screens, Connery appeared in such Disney-owned films as "The Longest Day," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Darby O'Gill and the Little People."

In fact, according to the documentary "Inside 'Dr. No,'" it was a screening of "Darby O'Gill" that led James Bond franchise co-producer Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli to suggest Connery as 007.

At least it was a peaceful, hopefully painless, end. Rest in peace.

Disney's Divinity wrote:At least it was a peaceful, hopefully painless, end. Rest in peace.

That's true, and he's had a long life and a really successful career.

NeoSuperBlissey wrote:In fact, according to the documentary "Inside 'Dr. No,'" it was a screening of "Darby O'Gill" that led James Bond franchise co-producer Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli to suggest Connery as 007.

I didn't know that. I actually hadn't seen Darby O'Gill until recently and I quite liked the film. And though he wasn't the protagonist there, it's not hard to see why he left an impression.

Yeah, I agree D82.

He really is a legend. RIP, buddy.

D82 wrote:

NeoSuperBlissey wrote:In fact, according to the documentary "Inside 'Dr. No,'" it was a screening of "Darby O'Gill" that led James Bond franchise co-producer Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli to suggest Connery as 007.

I didn't know that. I actually hadn't seen Darby O'Gill until recently and I quite liked the film. And though he wasn't the protagonist there, it's not hard to see why he left an impression.

Here's the full "Inside 'Dr. No'" documentary. For the segment referring to "Darby O'Gill and the Little People," advance to 8 minutes, 54 seconds to 9 minutes, 24 seconds. The woman recounting the story in the segment in question is Dana Broccoli, widow of Cubby Broccoli.

Sad news indeed.

I wonder if he has perchance done anything else following Sir Billi (even a short film or a voiceover) so that that movie wouldn't be the last thing on his filmography ...

I remember seeing him in a drama film circa 2002 in which he mentored a young black man. I can't remember what the film was about or even its name, but I remember being moved by it.

EDIT: I remember the name! I believe it was called Finding Forester (or was it Forrester? I am purposely not looking this up, lol.)

NeoSuperBlissey wrote:Here's the full "Inside 'Dr. No'" documentary. For the segment referring to "Darby O'Gill and the Little People," advance to 8 minutes, 54 seconds to 9 minutes, 24 seconds. The woman recounting the story in the segment in question is Dana Broccoli, widow of Cubby Broccoli.

Thanks for the link! It's a really interesting anecdote. In a way, you could say that if it wasn't for Walt Disney he wouldn't have gotten the role of Bond.

Jules wrote:I wonder if he has perchance done anything else following Sir Billi (even a short film or a voiceover) so that that movie wouldn't be the last thing on his filmography ...

According to IMDb, unfortunately he didn't. I haven't seen that film, but it looks awful. Come to think of it, it's a shame Disney, Pixar or some other big animation studio didn't ask him to voice a character in one of their films and that that movie is his only animation credit.

Jules wrote:I remember seeing him in a drama film circa 2002 in which he mentored a young black man. I can't remember what the film was about or even its name, but I remember being moved by it.

EDIT: I remember the name! I believe it was called Finding Forester (or was it Forrester? I am purposely not looking this up, lol.)

Yes, it was Finding Forrester. I've seen that film too and I remember I liked it.

D82 wrote:

Jules wrote:I wonder if he has perchance done anything else following Sir Billi (even a short film or a voiceover) so that that movie wouldn't be the last thing on his filmography ...

According to IMDb, unfortunately he didn't. I haven't seen that film, but it looks awful. Come to think of it, it's a shame Disney, Pixar or some other big animation studio didn't ask him to voice a character in one of their films and that that movie is his only animation credit.

I recall reading he pretty much shunned Hollywood after he hated working on "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." I'm sure he got plenty of offers from studios. I know he was asked back to play Henry Jones, Sr. for the fourth Indiana Jones movie, but he turned it out because he thought the role was too small.

"Sir Billi" was a small independent animated film and he was also a producer on the movie, so that might explain why he agreed to do it.

estefan wrote:I recall reading he pretty much shunned Hollywood after he hated working on "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." I'm sure he got plenty of offers from studios. I know he was asked back to play Henry Jones, Sr. for the fourth Indiana Jones movie, but he turned it out because he thought the role was too small.

"Sir Billi" was a small independent animated film and he was also a producer on the movie, so that might explain why he agreed to do it.

You're right, he was pretty much retired from Hollywood, so probably that animated film was just an exception he made. He most likely did keep receiving offers, even maybe from animation studios, but turned them down like he did with the Indiana Jones sequel.