Sean Connery dies: Daniel Craig leads tributes to James Bond actor

It was announced on Saturday that James Bond legend Sir Sean Connery died in his sleep at his home in the Bahamas aged 90 following a long illness.

Celebrities from across the showbiz world paid tribute to the iconic actor following news of his tragic passing, with many calling him a ‘legend’ and the ‘best ever’ 007 to grace the screen.

Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, and Salma Hayek, lead the stars sharing gushing messages of farewell to Connery, with the No Time To Die actor sharing a statement via the franchise’s official Twitter page that read: ‘It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema. 

An icon: It was announced on Saturday that James Bond legend Connery died in his sleep aged 90 following a long illness

‘He helped create the modern blockbuster’: 007 Daniel Craig (pictured in Skyfall) led the A-list tributes to iconic Bond Sir Sean Connery (pictured in From Russia With Love) following his death at 90 on Saturday

‘Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style. The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster.

‘He will continue to influence actors and film-makers alike for years to come. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course.’ 

The Wolverine actor also paid his respects to Connery, writing on Twitter: ‘I grew up idolizing #SeanConnery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace.’

Icon: The No Time To Die star sharing a statement via the franchise's official Twitter page that read: 'Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style'

Icon: The No Time To Die star sharing a statement via the franchise’s official Twitter page that read: ‘Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style’

Successor: Sir Roger Moore's legacy Twitter account also paid tribute to Connery, saying the actors were 'friends for many decades' and the fourth 007 said the Connery was 'the best ever James Bond'

Successor: Sir Roger Moore’s legacy Twitter account also paid tribute to Connery, saying the actors were ‘friends for many decades’ and the fourth 007 said the Connery was ‘the best ever James Bond’

Inspiration: Hugh Jackman also paid his respects to Connery, writing on Twitter: 'I grew up idolizing #SeanConnery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace'

Inspiration: Hugh Jackman also paid his respects to Connery, writing on Twitter: ‘I grew up idolizing #SeanConnery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace’

Tribute: Salma Hayek shared a snap of Connery looking reflective in a black-and-white snap to her Instagram, saying: 'It saddens me that today the legendary Sean Connery passed away

Tribute: Salma Hayek shared a snap of Connery looking reflective in a black-and-white snap to her Instagram, saying: ‘It saddens me that today the legendary Sean Connery passed away

From one icon to another: Elton John shared a picture of him and his husband David Furnish posing with Connery and his wife Micheline Roquebrune, and wrote: 'A true screen legend'

From one icon to another: Elton John shared a picture of him and his husband David Furnish posing with Connery and his wife Micheline Roquebrune, and wrote: ‘A true screen legend’

Salma shared a snap of Connery looking reflective in a black-and-white snap to her Instagram, saying: ‘It saddens me that today the legendary Sean Connery passed away. At least he lived to be 90. My heart goes out to his close ones. May he rest in peace.’

Elton John, meanwhile, posted a picture of him and his husband David Furnish posing with Connery and his wife Micheline Roquebrune, and wrote: ‘A true screen legend.’ 

Arnold Schwarzenegger said of the star: ‘Sean Connery was a legend, one of the greatest actors of all time. He provided endless entertainment for all of us & inspiration for me. 

‘I’m not just saying that because he was a bodybuilder who placed in the Mr. Universe contest! He was an icon. My thoughts are with his family.’

Catherine Zeta-Jones, who starred in Entrapment with Connery in 1999, shared a picture with him from behind-the-scenes of their film, saying she loved him ‘with all [her] heart.’

In her Instagram post, she wrote: ‘Farewell my friend. I love you Sean Connery with all my heart. Until we meet again, I will cherish every moment I shared with you. My love to Micheline and the family. Love “the kid”‘

While Sam Neill, who starred with Connery in The Hunt For Red October, reminisced of their time together: ‘Every day on set with #SeanConnery was an object lesson in how to act on screen. But all that charisma and power- that was utterly unique to Sean . RIP that great man, that great actor.’ 

Poignant: Catherine Zeta-Jones, who starred in Entrapment with Connery in 1999, shared a picture with him from behind-the-scenes of their film, saying she loved him 'with all [her] heart'

Poignant: Catherine Zeta-Jones, who starred in Entrapment with Connery in 1999, shared a picture with him from behind-the-scenes of their film, saying she loved him ‘with all [her] heart’

'An inspiration': Arnold Schwarzenegger said of the star: 'Sean Connery was a legend, one of the greatest actors of all time

‘An inspiration’: Arnold Schwarzenegger said of the star: ‘Sean Connery was a legend, one of the greatest actors of all time

Looking back: Sam Neill, who starred with Connery in The Hunt For Red October (pictured), reminisced of their time together: 'Every day on set with #SeanConnery was an object lesson in how to act on screen'

Looking back: Sam Neill, who starred with Connery in The Hunt For Red October (pictured), reminisced of their time together: ‘Every day on set with #SeanConnery was an object lesson in how to act on screen’

'A suave hero to the end': Star Trek actor George Takei said of the Oscar-winning actor: 'Sean Connery was a movie legend, even far into his golden years. Our strongest Bonds were formed by him'

‘A suave hero to the end’: Star Trek actor George Takei said of the Oscar-winning actor: ‘Sean Connery was a movie legend, even far into his golden years. Our strongest Bonds were formed by him’

Gushing: Elizabeth Hurley took to her social media to share a snap of Connery during his Bond heyday, as he read a book on a yacht while dressed in a pair of shorts, and she gushed: 'RIP the glorious Sean Connery'

Gushing: Elizabeth Hurley took to her social media to share a snap of Connery during his Bond heyday, as he read a book on a yacht while dressed in a pair of shorts, and she gushed: ‘RIP the glorious Sean Connery’

Farewell: Antonio Banderas shared a slew of snaps of Connery from over the years, writing: 'Adios mister Connery'

Farewell: Antonio Banderas shared a slew of snaps of Connery from over the years, writing: ‘Adios mister Connery’

Praise: Viola Davis called Connery 'our James Bond icon' as she shared a picture of him in his iconic suit

Praise: Viola Davis called Connery ‘our James Bond icon’ as she shared a picture of him in his iconic suit

In his honour: French actor Vincent Cassel took to Instagram to share a picture of Sean from The Man Who Would Be King

In his honour: French actor Vincent Cassel took to Instagram to share a picture of Sean from The Man Who Would Be King

Elizabeth Hurley took to her social media to share a snap of Connery during his Bond heyday as he read a book on a yacht while dressed in a pair of shorts, and she gushed: ‘RIP the glorious Sean Connery.’ 

Star Trek actor George Takei said of the Oscar-winning actor: ‘Sean Connery was a movie legend, even far into his golden years. Our strongest Bonds were formed by him, and he was Untouchable. He passed today at age 90, a suave hero to the end.’ 

Director Edgar Wright also paid tribute to Connery, sharing a lengthy tribute which began: ‘It says something for the extraordinary charisma of this Edinburgh lad to have created the most iconic character in film & then, rather than be typecast by it, become equally famous for just being Sean Connery. A real screen legend; oft imitated (by all!) but never equalled. 

‘Though all of his Bond instalments are fun and two are among my favs of the series (From Russia With Love & Goldfinger), here are some non Bond Connery films I dearly love; Hell Drivers (a supporting role, but a badass flick), The Frightened City (clearly a dry run for Bond) 

‘Hitchcock’s Marnie, Sidney Lumet’s The Hill, The Anderson Tapes & The Offence, the bonkers Zardoz, John Huston’s rollicking The Man Who Would Be King, Richard Lester’s elegiac Robin & Marian, his cameo in Time Bandits, but let’s not forget of course his amazing last act…

‘From charming immortal Ramirez to Henry Jones Sr, from being the rock in the centre of the best Michael Bay film to his incredible Oscar winning turn as Malone in The Untouchables, Sean Connery had a hell of a run. Have a vodka martini & a dram of whiskey for him tonight.’   

Candid: Director Edgar Wright also paid tribute to Connery, sharing a lengthy tribute that saw him reflect on the screen legend's career as a whole

Candid: Director Edgar Wright also paid tribute to Connery, sharing a lengthy tribute that saw him reflect on the screen legend’s career as a whole

Big fan: Director Spike Lee reflected on his mother's love for Connery as he paid tribute to the late star'

Big fan: Director Spike Lee reflected on his mother’s love for Connery as he paid tribute to the late star’

Breakout role: Stephen King shared a picture from Connery's first role in 1956 play Requiem for a Heavyweight and said he was a 'fine actor' and a 'good guy'

Breakout role: Stephen King shared a picture from Connery’s first role in 1956 play Requiem for a Heavyweight and said he was a ‘fine actor’ and a ‘good guy’

Former co-stars: Liam Cunningham penned a touching tribute to Sean, who he starred alongside in First Knight, and said Connery was 'really good to [him]' and 'exceeded all expectations'

Former co-stars: Liam Cunningham penned a touching tribute to Sean, who he starred alongside in First Knight, and said Connery was ‘really good to [him]’ and ‘exceeded all expectations’

The first: Paul Chuckle wrote in his tribute to Connery that he was 'the best James Bond ever'

The first: Paul Chuckle wrote in his tribute to Connery that he was ‘the best James Bond ever’

Emotional: Kevin Smith reflected on how Connery was his father's favourite actor, and 'his Bond', as he said news of the actor's passing was 'like losing Dad again'

Emotional: Kevin Smith reflected on how Connery was his father’s favourite actor, and ‘his Bond’, as he said news of the actor’s passing was ‘like losing Dad again’

Rest in peace: The Mandalorian star Gina Carano said Connery was 'one of a kind'

Rest in peace: The Mandalorian star Gina Carano said Connery was ‘one of a kind’

Connery leaves behind his wife Micheline and sons Jason and Stefan, Jason told the BBC his father had been surrounded by ‘many of his family’ who could make it to the Caribbean when he died.

He said: ‘We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.

‘A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.’

Great filmogrophy: Eamonn Holmes reflected on Connery's illustrious career, saying he was a 'true movie star'

Great filmogrophy: Eamonn Holmes reflected on Connery’s illustrious career, saying he was a ‘true movie star’

'2020 is just relentless': Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness called Connery an 'icon, legend, phenomenon'

‘2020 is just relentless’: Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness called Connery an ‘icon, legend, phenomenon’

Annecdote: Former professional footballer Gary Lineker looked back at the time he went golfing with Connery, saying he was a 'real character' and 'the best Bond'

Annecdote: Former professional footballer Gary Lineker looked back at the time he went golfing with Connery, saying he was a ‘real character’ and ‘the best Bond’

No one like him: Piers Morgan detailed how George Lazenby claimed he and other actors who played Bond after Connery were 'impostors' in comparison to the late Scottish star

No one like him: Piers Morgan detailed how George Lazenby claimed he and other actors who played Bond after Connery were ‘impostors’ in comparison to the late Scottish star

Kind words: Lord Alan Sugar said Connery was a 'great actor' and a 'great 007'

Kind words: Lord Alan Sugar said Connery was a ‘great actor’ and a ‘great 007’

Paying her respects: Michelle Keegan said that Connery was 'the best Bond there ever was' as she paid tribute to him

Paying her respects: Michelle Keegan said that Connery was ‘the best Bond there ever was’ as she paid tribute to him

Connery, whose movie career spans five decades, is best known for the first to portray the role of British fictional spy 007 who he played between 1962–1971. 

The actor frequently tops polls as the best Bond to have played the role following his part in Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice.  

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli paid tribute to him in a statement: ‘We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Connery.

‘He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words – ‘The name’s Bond… James Bond’ – he revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent.

‘He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.’

Final days: Connery (pictured in 1988 after his Oscar win for The Untouchables) leaves behind wife Micheline and sons Jason and Stefan, Jason said his father was surrounded by 'many of his family' who could make it to the Caribbean when he died

Final days: Connery (pictured in 1988 after his Oscar win for The Untouchables) leaves behind wife Micheline and sons Jason and Stefan, Jason said his father was surrounded by ‘many of his family’ who could make it to the Caribbean when he died

The original: Sir Sean frequently tops polls as the best Bond to have played the role following his part in Dr No (pictured with Ursula Andress), From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice

The original: Sir Sean frequently tops polls as the best Bond to have played the role following his part in Dr No (pictured with Ursula Andress), From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice

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