Pinewood Studios have announced that a new sound stage will be named in honour of the late Sir Sean Connery on what would have been the Academy Award-winning actor’s 92nd birthday. Officially named, The Sean Connery Stage, the 18,000 square foot purpose-built sound stage is one of five new stages opening on the Pinewood Studios lot.
Recognised as one of the most influential and successful actors of his generation, Sean Connery was the first actor to portray James Bond on the big screen in EON Productions’ Dr No, shot at Pinewood Studios in 1962. The film was produced by Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and Harry Saltzman (EON Productions), directed by Terence Young on Pinewood Studios’ original A, B, C and D stages and on location in Jamaica. Following the phenomenal success of Dr. No, Connery starred in a further five James Bond films produced by EON Productions and shot at Pinewood Studios; From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Connery’s interpretation of the role helped establish the foundation for the success of the James Bond series which celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year.
Connery’s history with Pinewood and Shepperton Studios extends beyond the James Bond films, returning numerous times between 1957 and 1999. First passing through the gates of Pinewood Studios for Hell Drivers (1957), other titles from his extensive filmography include On the Fiddle (1961) at Shepperton, Woman of Straw (1964) at Pinewood, The Russia House (1990) Pinewood, Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves (1991) Shepperton, First Knight (1995) Pinewood and Entrapment (1999) at both Pinewood and Shepperton.
On behalf of the Connery family, Stephane and Jason Connery commented:
“Our family consider it a great honor to have a stage named after Sean. It is fitting considering the amount of time Sean spent at Pinewood and we know that he would have been very touched by this privilege.”
Pinewood Group Chairman, Paul Golding said:
“We are delighted to announce that one of our five new sound stages at Pinewood Studios will be named, ‘The Sean Connery Stage’. The revered actor, and original James Bond, had a life-long connection with both Pinewood and Shepperton Studios. It is fitting that the naming ceremony will take place in 2022, the 60th anniversary year of the James Bond films.”
Connery’s extensive services to the film industry have been reflected in the many Awards he received over his illustrious career, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (including the BAFTA Fellowship), three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 1987, he was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France and in 1991 he received the Freedom of the City honour by the City of Edinburgh. In the United States, Connery received The US Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award in 1999 and the American Film Institute’s prestigious Life Achievement Award.
Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama.
