The name’s Connery. Sean Connery. And whether this tall, dark and handsome screen star is playing the famous Secret Service agent James Bond, a Russian submarine captain, or an Irish cop in Chicago, you can guarantee that you’ll hear his distinctive Scottish brogue.

A keen bodybuilder and footballer, Sir Sean started acting as a Seabees chorus boy in a production of South Pacific. He was promoted to a minor role during the tour, and came back for more the following year – this time, in a leading role. Television was his next port of call, and it wasn’t too long before the toupee-wearing thespian broke into film. He was rough-hewn, but the ladies loved him – or, at any rate, Cubby Broccoli’s wife and Ian Fleming’s girlfriend did. You can see where this is going.

After Dr. No, he played Bond four more times and quit because of the role’s limitations, but came back for a sixth go in Diamonds are Forever after George Lazenby turned down a contract, and then for the post-Moore, non-canonical Never Say Never Again. After never again playing Bond, he continued his successful career, appearing in numerous movies such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Rock, and Highlander. Now retired, he still contributes his voice to projects. And why not?