World 'One of the true greats of cinema': Pierce Brosnan pays tribute to Sir Sean Connery

Fellow James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has paid tribute to Sir Sean Connery, describing him as "one of the true greats of cinema", after his death aged 90.

© Getty Connery was best known starring being the original James Bond

Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday in Nassau, the Bahamas, where he had been "unwell for some time", his son Jason said.

© PA Sean Connery in the 1971 Bond film Diamonds Are Forever

News of his death was met with touching tributes from other actors, fans and politicians.

Brosnan - who starred in four 007 films - said he would "cast a long shadow of cinematic splendour that will live on forever".

00-Heaven: James Bond legend Sean Connery dies

Legendary actor Sir Sean Connery - famous for being the first actor to play James Bond - has died at the age of 90, his family has confirmed.The Scottish star - who was the first actor to play 007 on the big screen - has passed away at the age of 90 with his family confirming that he died in his sleep while in the Bahamas.

Daniel Craig is paying tribute to the late Sean Connery from one 007 to another. After hearing of Connery 's death, Craig, who has played James Bond in the popular franchise since “It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema . pic.twitter.com/McUcKuykR4.

“ 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 “It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema . pic.twitter.com/McUcKuykR4.

Fellow Bond actor Daniel Craig said in his tribute: "The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster."

© Getty Connery and Shirley Eaton share a laugh on the phone in the James Bond flick Goldfinger

Dame Shirley Bassey, who sung the themes to three Bond films, said: "I'm incredibly saddened to hear of Sean's passing.

"My thoughts are with his family. He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond."

© Getty A young Connery in 1962 - the year he first appeared as Bond

Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted on Saturday: "I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.

The world reacts to the death of screen legend Sean Connery: 'Wit and charm measured in megawatts'

Sean Connery, who has died at the age of 90, was known not only for movie roles including the British secret agent James Bond, but also for his support of Scottish independence from Britain. GALLERY: Sean Connery: A remarkable life in pictures Hollywood immediately started paying tribute to the silver screen legend, remembering him for Bond as well as his other iconic roles and effortless cool. And so did the rest of the world ...https://twitter.com/MGM_Studios/status/1322576006373281792https://twitter.com/TheAcademy/status/1322571315748876293NICOLA STURGEON, FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND:"Sean was a global legend but, first and foremost, he was a patriotic and proud Scot.

Daniel Craig has paid tribute to his fellow 007 Sean Connery , describing the actor as " one of the true greats ." “It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema ," Craig said, in a statement " Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more.

He called him a ‘ true great of cinema ’. “ Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style. Connery was a fan of Craig. In 2005, after he was announced as Pierce Brosnan ’s 007 replacement, the actor called him a “terrific choice”.

© PA Dame Diana Rigg and Sean Connery in 1996

"Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world's most accomplished actors."

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli wrote in a statement: "We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.

"He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words - 'The name's Bond... James Bond.'

"He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him."

Sean Connery: The life and career of the ultimate James Bond

Sir Sean's son Jason said his father "had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him" when he died.

A joint statement from him, Connery's other son Stephane and his wife Micheline said he will be laid to rest at a private ceremony, followed by a memorial once the pandemic has ended.

Pierce Brosnan pays tribute to late fellow 007 icon Sir Sean Connery

James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has paid tribute to fellow 007 icon Sir Sean Connery after he died following a long illness. It was announced on Saturday that Connery died in his sleep at his home in the Bahamas after being diagnosed with dementia in the later years of his life.Following the news, Pierce has told how Connery was his 'greatest James Bond' while growing up, before taking on the legendary role himself years later.

media captionSir Sean Connery : From Edinburgh milkman to James Bond icon. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has led Scottish tributes to "global legend" Sir She added: " Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became a film icon and one of the

The one and only Sir Sean Connery was announced to have passed away at the age of 90 today, causing the internet to erupt with messages of mourning and respect towards And following the news of the actor’s death, Craig released a statement paying tribute to the Hollywood legend via Variety.

© Reuters Sir Sean Connery and wife Micheline after he was knighted in 2000

He added: "We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.

© Getty Connery, pictured in 2013, had a career spanning 50 years

"A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor."

As well as Bond, Connery, from Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, also starred in The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade and The Rock in a career that spanned 50 years.

He made his on-screen debut in Dr No in 1962. This was followed by From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever.

He won legions of fans as Bond, often coming top of fan-voted polls thanks to his debonair manner and wry humour.

Sir Sean won an Oscar for his role as a Chicago cop in 1987's The Untouchables, as well as two Bafta awards and three Golden Globes.

Connery, who celebrated his 90th birthday in August, was knighted by the Queen at Holyrood Palace in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama.