'007 James Bond' Sean Connery's Passing Sparks Wave of Condolences

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Condolences from fans, political leaders, and colleagues in the entertainment industry continue to pour in following the death of Sean Connery, the veteran Scottish actor who etched the role of James Bond in the 007 spy film series into the hearts of people worldwide.

On the 31st (local time), according to the British daily The Guardian and others, Nicola Sturgeon, head of the Scottish Government, said, "I am heartbroken. Today, we mourn one of our most beloved sons."

Sturgeon, mourning the death of Connery, who was also one of the most prominent Scottish independence activists, said, "Sean was born into a working-class family in Edinburgh and became an international film icon and one of the most talented actors in the world through his talent and hard work."

Connery, who once worked as a milkman, had immense pride in his homeland Scotland and supported its independence from the United Kingdom.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying, "I mourn the passing of Sean Connery, an iconic actor and wonderful friend," and added, "We will always remember his humble charisma and warm smile, and along with millions around the world, continue to find joy in his unforgettable performances."

Colleagues in the entertainment industry also paid tribute, recalling the life and acting of the great actor.

Shirley Bassey, who sang the theme song for the 1964 007 series 'Goldfinger,' reminisced about the joyful memories of watching Connery play football, saying, "Sean, I will always be there to cheer you on."

Following him, British actor Daniel Craig, who recently took on the role of James Bond, described Connery as "someone who defined an era and style."

Craig said, "Sean Connery will be remembered for much more than just James Bond. The wit and charm he displayed on screen were at a megawatt level, and he helped create the modern blockbuster."

The family of the late Sir Roger Moore, who played James Bond from 1973 to 1985, also praised Connery as "the best James Bond."

Sir Roger Moore's family tweeted, "We mourn the passing of Sean Connery. He and Roger were friends for decades, and Roger always maintained that Sean was the best James Bond."

The Guardian noted that few could match Connery's combination of tenacity and cynical charm, rating him on par with Hollywood superstars Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Oscars, tweeted, "Today we honor a legendary actor. From winning an Oscar for 'The Untouchables' to his years playing James Bond, his work left an indelible mark on our film community and our lives."

Connery, who passed away at the age of 90, was a veteran Scottish actor who first portrayed James Bond in the spy film series '007.'

In addition to the 007 series, he appeared in numerous works such as 'Murder on the Orient Express' (1974), 'The Name of the Rose' (1986), 'The Untouchables' (1987), 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989), and 'The Rock' (1996), officially retiring in 2006.

Meanwhile, Connery faced criticism after claiming in a 1965 interview with the famous American adult magazine Playboy that violence against women could be justified.

In the interview, he said, "I don't think hitting a woman is wrong in the slightest," adding, "However, I do not recommend hitting a woman the way you would hit a man."

In fact, Connery's ex-wife, Diane Cilento, accused him of domestic violence in her 2006 autobiography.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.