Sean Connery defined the role of the suave secret agent for a global audience. He was the first actor to utter the famous line, "Bond, James Bond." Furthermore, he built a diverse career that went far beyond the spy genre. Consequently, he won an Academy Award and became a knight of the realm. Explore these fascinating details about the original 007.
Sean Connery
Before he became an actor, he worked as a coffin polisher in Edinburgh. Surprisingly, this was just one of many manual labor jobs he held to make ends meet.
He entered the Mr. Universe bodybuilding contest in 1953. Although he did not win the main title, he placed third in the tall men’s division.
Sean Connery actually wore a toupee in every single James Bond movie he filmed. He started losing his hair at the young age of 21.
Ian Fleming originally hated the casting of Connery as Bond. The author thought the Scottish actor looked like an overgrown stuntman rather than a refined gentleman.
He turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Unfortunately, he admitted that he did not understand the script, costing him roughly $450 million (€425 million).
He served in the Royal Navy for three years before being discharged. Doctors released him from service because he suffered from severe stomach ulcers.
Remarkably, he received a speeding ticket from a police officer named Sergeant James Bond. This ironic incident occurred in London while he was filming the spy movies.
Manchester United offered him a contract to play professional football. However, he declined the offer because he realized a sports career would be too short.
He had two small tattoos on his arm from his time in the Navy. One simply said “Mum and Dad,” and the other read “Scotland Forever.”
Sean Connery stood at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters). Therefore, he physically dominated the screen in a way few other actors of his time could.
He donated his entire salary from the movie Diamonds Are Forever to charity. He used the money to establish a trust fund for Scottish education.
People voted him the “Sexiest Man Alive” at the age of 59. Consequently, he proved that his charisma and appeal only increased as he got older.
He worked as a milkman in Edinburgh as a teenager. He delivered milk to the local residents with the help of a horse-drawn cart.
During the filming of Never Say Never Again, Steven Seagal broke Connery’s wrist. The martial arts star was teaching the actor choreography and accidentally used too much force.
Finally, he almost never changed his accent for any role. Whether playing a Russian submarine captain or an Irish cop, he always kept his signature Scottish burr.
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Kit Harington rose to global fame as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. Beyond TV, his stage roles and film projects prove his versatility and dedication to acting.
Kit Harington
Kit Harington was born Christopher Catesby Harington on December 26, 1986, in London, England.
He is best known for his iconic role as Jon Snow in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2011–2019).
Harington was nominated for a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Jon Snow.
He trained at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and graduated just before landing his breakout role.
Before Game of Thrones, he made his professional debut in the West End production of War Horse in 2009.
Kit Harington has starred in several stage productions, including Doctor Faustus and True West, showing his range beyond television.
He played the lead role of Henry V in a 2022 revival of Shakespeare’s play, earning critical acclaim.
Outside of TV, Harington appeared in films like Pompeii (2014) and the Marvel movie Eternals (2021) as Dane Whitman.
His voice work includes the character Eret, a dragon hunter, in the How to Train Your Dragon animated films.
Kit Harington developed, produced, and starred in the historical drama Gunpowder (2017), portraying Robert Catesby.
He is married to actress Rose Leslie, who played Ygritte in Game of Thrones, in a sweet off-screen romance.
Despite his worldwide fame, Kit has been open about his struggles with anxiety and maintaining normalcy beyond the spotlight.
Kit Harington is passionate about theatre and has vowed to balance his career between stage and screen roles.
He took part in the HBO/BBC drama Industry (2024) showcasing his continuous presence in major TV productions.
Kit’s dedication to his craft, from intense roles to voice acting, makes him a versatile and respected actor in both film and theatre.
Viggo Mortensen is more than just Aragorn—he’s a seasoned actor, poet, photographer, and publisher with a rich multicultural background. Discover fascinating insights into his multifaceted career and artistic passions.
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen was born on October 20, 1958, in New York City and has Danish, American, and Argentine heritage.
He gained worldwide fame for portraying Aragorn in the epic “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Mortensen pursues multiple art forms beyond acting, including photography, poetry, painting, music, and publishing.
He founded Perceval Press to support artists and authors whom mainstream publishers often overlook.
Viggo is known for his dedication to roles, learning new skills like horse riding and sword fighting for “The Lord of the Rings.”
He earned three Academy Award nominations, including for the films “Eastern Promises,” “Captain Fantastic,” and “Green Book.”
Mortensen began his career in films with a small role in Ridley Scott’s “Witness” (1985).
He is fluent in English, Danish, Spanish, and French, owing to his multinational upbringing.
Apart from Hollywood, Viggo has worked in independent films and international cinema, always choosing challenging characters.
He once infamously responded to a journalist’s rude question by flipping the bird—a testament to his passionate and sometimes fiery personality.
Mortensen’s interest in poetry and photography often intersects with his film projects, capturing behind-the-scenes moments and inspirations.
He is also a humanitarian, involved in social and environmental causes, often using his art and platform to highlight important issues.
Viggo has performed live readings of poetry and frequently collaborates with other artists across creative disciplines.
He speaks openly about his family life, including his three children and relationship with his wife, which gives him a down-to-earth aura.
Despite his fame, Mortensen maintains a somewhat private life and earns admiration for his humility and depth both on and off screen.
