Sean Connery, the First Big Screen Bond, Was Beloved Behind the Scenes
Before, during, and after he became a superstar by way of Dr. No, the first James Bond feature film, Sean Connery was adored behind the scenes by several female Hollywood icons, including Oscar-winning actress Shelly Winters.
Here’s how they met: Early in his career, Connery was financially strapped and had little choice but to take less-glamorous part-time jobs.
Everett Collection
One such menial position was babysitting for journalist Peter Noble and his actress wife, Marianne, which paid 10 shillings a night. One such non-menial night at the Noble home, Connery met Winters, who, by then had delivered stellar screen performances in movies like in 1951’s A Place in the Sun with Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor.
Back on Earth, Winters for years continued to spend time with Connery at his apartment, along with his brother Neal, all three drinking beer. Years later, Winters described Sean as “one of the tallest and most charming and masculine Scotsmen” she had ever known.
Years later, when Connery filmed Thunderball, his third entry in the 007 film franchise, performing with him in the movie was actress Luciana Paluzzi, who played evil SPECTRE agent Fiona Volpe.
Connery and Paluzzi in Thunderball. Everett Collection
Paluzzi enjoyed working with Connery, who she described as “a gentleman …Like a diamond…[with] rough edges. But down to earth…very giving as an actor.”
Around the same time, Connery had attended a party for the movie King Rat, which was held at the renowned Whisky a Go-Go in Hollywood. That’s where he met acclaimed actress BarBara Luna.
Luna to this day possesses the kind of prolific talent and dedication to her craft that was so appreciated by Connery, who shared a few common bonds with the actress. Even if they didn’t know it at the time.
BarBara Luna. Everett Collection.
Both appeared in stage productions of South Pacific if at different times and places, and like Luna remains today, Sean was athletic and enjoyed golf. But neither of those topics were discussed when they met that night at the Whiskey a Go-Go.
Their conversation began late that evening, when Luna’s boyfriend drifted across the room to greet some friends. It was then she noticed Connery standing by himself in the corner of the crowded room. She wasn’t sure of his preference to be alone, “or perhaps he was just shy,” she thought. “Could that be possible?”
Nonetheless, she worked up the courage and approached Connery, who was at the height of Bond-mania. She introduced herself and asked him to dance. To which he replied, “Why, I’d be delighted.”
Luna “gulped,” took him by the hand, and led the actor to the floor, where they would dance, freeform, which by then was a fairly new style, growing in popularity.
As they began to dance, he told her, “I’m not very good at this. I’ll try not to embarrass you,”
Luna laughed and said, “Well, Mr. Connery, that isn’t true. But even if it were, it doesn’t matter.”
Connery then grinned and insisted, “Sean. Call me Sean.”
Everett Collection
Luna said Connery’s most profound asset was his charm. That made him “special,” she relayed. It was “a quality that 1940s actors had, such as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Lawrence Olivier…which I don’t see in many of our actors and actresses today. His charm mixed with intelligence, humor, and strength…plus he could be physical, and very handsome, and his great speaking voice made him so lovable. How could he not be the most appealing Bond?”
“Some actors appreciate being recognized for playing just one role,” Luna observed. “Others prefer not to be associated in that way. I suppose there are two kinds of actors. One that makes a physical statement and the other more complicated, such as John Wayne vs. Lawrence Olivier or Van Diesel vs. Christian Bale.”
For others, still, “acting is about being versatile, portraying different characters, exploring different parts of one’s self. A character can teach actors/actresses a lot about themselves,” said Luna, who refused “to give up the word actress.”
“Bottom line,” said Luna, “…I think actors/actresses just like to be remembered for something,” while she remembered Connery’s charisma on screen in this way:
“Aside from being elegant, tall, dark, handsome, sexy, charming, dignified, yet tough, dangerous and very charismatic, his characters were really always believable.”
“Need I say more?”
Note: This article is an edited excerpt from Herbie J Pilato’s acclaimed biography, Connery, Sean Connery: Before, During and After His Most Famous Role. Click here to order an author-signed copy. Author-signed copies of CONNERY, SEAN CONNERY are available directly from the author via [email protected].
Remind 
Classic Hollywood Hunks
September 2019
Cary Grant, Sean Connery, Rock Hudson and Paul Newman, smoldered onscreen and, in addition to being smokin’ hot, they were effortlessly cool.
Buy This Issue