Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan and other Bond vets honor Sean Connery

Legendary actor Sean Connery died this weekend at the age of 90. His friends and colleagues have come out to remember and honor him.

Sean Connery, the first actor to become widely associated with James Bond after playing him in 1962’s Dr. No, died this past Saturday at the age of 90. He went peacefully in his sleep.

Connery had a long and fruitful career on the big screen, with career highlights including The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and much more. But to many, he will always be Bond, James Bond. Many veterans of the franchise have paid their respects since his death, including Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who have produced the Bond movies for years:

Other actors who played the role after Connery have also weighed in, including George Lazenby, who played the British super-spy in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

"Only a few weeks ago, I was wishing Sean all the best for his 90th birthday. Now, I’m very sad to be condoling with his family and friends. Of course, Sean Connery as James Bond inspired me personally, but seems to have encapsulated an age, the Sixties. I met Sean a couple of times and I was pleased he’d given my Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, his seal of approval. He was going to do my film many times and felt it was the best of the [Ian] Fleming tales. But, to me, the most important thing was his work went far beyond Bond: into charity, into family, into politics, and into golf. A man after my own heart. A great actor, a great man and under-appreciated artist has left us. My thoughts are with Lady Micheline and Sean’s children and grandchildren. Only love, George XXX."

Timothy Dalton played Bond in 1987’s The Living Daylights and 1989’s Licence to Kill. Speaking to The New York Times, Dalton called Connery “a wonderful presence” and “a great leading man.”

Pierce Brosnan, who took over for Dalton in 1995’s Goldeneye, celebrated Connery on Instagram:

"Sir Sean Connery, you were my greatest James Bond as a boy, and as a man who became James Bond himself. You cast a long shadow of cinematic splendor that will live on forever. You led the way for us all who followed in your iconic foot step. Each man in his turn looked to you with reverence and admiration as we forged ahead with our own interpretations of the role. You were mighty in every way, as an actor and as a man, and will remain so ’till the end of time. Your were loved by the world, and will be missed. God bless, rest now, be at peace."

Dame Shirley Bassey, who holds the record for most Bond songs performed at three — including Connery-era classics like “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Goldfinger” — remembered having fun with Connery in the early days of the franchise:

Finally, our current James Bond — Daniel Craig — made a statement obtained by SYFY Wire. “It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema,” Craig said. “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.”

No Time To Die, Craig’s final film as Bond, is scheduled to come out on April 2, 2021. I fully expect a dedication to Connery, a legend in his own time.

And it’s not just Bond vets honoring Connery. He had a lot of big-name admirers, colleagues and friends out there:

Rest in peace.

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