By Devin Zydel on 2008-08-25
Sir Sean Connery celebrated hsis 78th birthday today with the official launch of his book, Being A Scot at the Edinburgh Book Festival.
The James Bond actor appeared along with co-writer and friend Murray Grigor in front of a packed house of 600 attendees. During a question-and-answer session with his fans, Sir Sean was asked if he had achieved all he wanted.’
‘I don’t think so,’ came his reply. ‘I’ve come into a different cycle since I decided not to do any more [films].’ But he did add: ‘I’ve a feeling there is something cooking. I don’t know what it is yet.’
With his illustrious film career that has spanned decades and produced an Academy Award and numerous other accolades, Connery was then asked if there was one specific moment in his life that gave him his first break.
I realized after 70 years that my first big break was when I was five: I learned to read and write … so that for me was the break,’ he replied.
Visit Reuters and the Times for further coverage of the grand event, including more anecdotes from Connery about the Bond girls, working with Alfred Hitchcock, his views on Scotland and much more.
An official press release detailing the event follows:
Former Bond Sean Connery Launches Autobiography
He’s recognized around the world as the iconic face of James Bond. But in Britain, Sean Connery is also well known as a proud Scot, and on Monday he returns to his hometown to launch his autobiography.
Being A Scot looks at Connery’s early life as a milkman in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge neighborhood, then delves into a wide-ranging look at Scottish culture including the work of poet Robert Burns, novelist Sir Walter Scott and Mary, Queen of Scots.
“It will illuminate what Fountainbridge’s most famous former milkman thinks of many aspects of Scottish culture and life, including sport, architecture, and of course the gothic tendency in Scots literature,” said Edinburgh International Book Festival director Catherine Lockerbie.
Connery is a vocal supporter of the pro-independence Scottish National Party. He lives in the Bahamas and has said he will not reside in Scotland until it gains independence from the United Kingdom.
He was the first — and, many say, the best — Bond. In a six-decade career, Connery also starred in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October and The Untouchables, which earned him an Academy Award for best supporting actor.
The unveiling of Being A Scot coincides with Connery’s 78th birthday. The actor is appearing at the book festival alongside his co-author, the filmmaker and writer Murray Grigor.
The Edinburgh event is one of Britain’s leading literary gatherings, and runs alongside jazz, comedy and performing arts festivals in the Scottish capital each August.
Among the 800 authors appearing at the Aug. 9-25 festival are Salman Rushdie, Louis de Bernieres and Margaret Atwood.
Order Being A Scot online:
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