SEAN CONNERY LEGEND : JAMES BOND

THE LEGEND that was Sean Connery Tributes pour in for iconic Scottish Actor, who passed away in his sleep last weekend, aged 90.

LOS ANGELES : Legendary actor Sean Connery, best known for playing fictional spy James Bond, Leading to an outpouring of tributes for one of Britain's best-loved screen heroes.

His son Jason told the BBC that his father died peacefully in his sleep overnight while in the Bahamas, having been ''unwell for sometime.''

The Scottish actor, who was knighted in 2000, won numerous awards during his decade spanning career, including an Oscar, three Golden Globes and two Bafta trophies.

''He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond,'' said the franchise's producer Michael. G. Wilson and Barabarra Brocili.

''Sean Connery revoloutinsed the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent.''

The pair added. that Connery was. ''undoubtedly, larhely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him''.

A message on a Twitter account maintained for fellow late Bond actor Roger Moore, who died in 2017, called the news of his passing ''infinitely sad''. It added :

''Sean and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained that he was the best ever. James Bond, RIP.''

Hollywood star. Hugh Chapman said, ''I grew up idolizing Sean Connery; a legend on screen, and off Rest in Peace.''

Connery, born in Edinburgh in 1930, claimed his sole Oscar in 1988 for Supporting Actor for his role as an Irish cop in The Untouchables. He also starred in The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade and The Rock.

But it is his smooth, Scottish accented portrayal of the  suave spy 007 that earned him lasting worldwide fame and adoration. The first actor to utter the unforgettable ''Bond, James Bond'' dialogue.

Connery made six official films as novelist Ian Flemming's creation, giving what many still consider as the definitive portrayal.

Proud Scott

A bricklayer, lifeguard and coffin polisher, among other manual jobs, before he found fame. Connery kick started his career after a bodybuilding hobby led him to enter the My Universe competition.

There, a fellow competitor urged him to audition for acting parts and he soon started landing small roles. His big break came by starring as Bond in 1962's Dr. N, the franchises's first film.

He went to play bond in  From Russia with Love [1963], Goldfinger [1964], Thunderball [1965]. You Only Live Twice [1967] and Diamonds Are Forever [1971]. Connery made a comeback-screen  Connery as the British Spy in the unofficial film Never Say Never Again.

Off-screen, Connery was a fiercely proud Scot and a financial backer of Scottish National Party [SNP] , which advocates for the independence of Scotland from the UK.

The nation's former First Minister Alex Salmond reacted to his death by describing the late actor as '' the world's greatest Scot, the last of the real Hollywood actors, the definitive Bond.''

Salmond said his signature voice, spirit and passion had endured even through, ''his health was failing'' in recent years.

''I will miss him. Scotland will miss him. The world will miss him,'' he added. [AFP]