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Grange pays tribute to Sean Connery - ‘The name’s Bond ... James Bond’

Published:Monday | November 2, 2020 | 12:11 AM
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Daniel Craig during the photo call of the latest installment of the James Bond film franchise, known as “Bond 25,” in Oracabessa, Jamaica in April 2019.
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Daniel Craig during the photo call of the latest installment of the James Bond film franchise, known as “Bond 25,” in Oracabessa, Jamaica in April 2019.
JAMES BOND (played by Sean Connery with a typical Bond give (Daniela Bianchi) Daniela Bianchi meets James Bond, played by Sean Connery.
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JAMES BOND (played by Sean Connery with a typical Bond give (Daniela Bianchi) Daniela Bianchi meets James Bond, played by Sean Connery.
In this file photo dated April 11, 1988, Sean Connery holds up his best supporting actor Oscar for “The Untouchables” at the 60th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., USA. Scottish actor Sean Connery, considered by many to have been the best Jam
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In this file photo dated April 11, 1988, Sean Connery holds up his best supporting actor Oscar for “The Untouchables” at the 60th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., USA. Scottish actor Sean Connery, considered by many to have been the best James Bond, died on Saturday aged 90, according to an announcement from his family.
Daniel Craig with cast and production personnel of Bond 25, at Goldeneye at a photo call in Jamaica April 2019. From left are Michael G Wilson (producer), Lea Seydoux, Cary Joji Fukunaga (director), Ana de Armas, Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Lashana Lynch
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Daniel Craig with cast and production personnel of Bond 25, at Goldeneye at a photo call in Jamaica April 2019. From left are Michael G Wilson (producer), Lea Seydoux, Cary Joji Fukunaga (director), Ana de Armas, Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Lashana Lynch, and Barbara Broccoli, (producer).
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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has paid tribute to late actor Sean Connery, highlighting the fact that “the success of the James Bond franchise and Sir Sean’s remarkable talent served to introduce Jamaica as a film and holiday destination to a global audience”.

Sir Sean Connery died on Saturday at the age of 90. He was the first actor to play James Bond on the big screen in Dr. No in 1962, followed by From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever. Scenes from Dr. No were shot all over Jamaica, from the White River in St Ann to Reynolds’s Pier in Ocho Rios and the Dry Swamp in Falmouth, Trelawny, where the famous crocodile scenes were shot.

Minister Grange also stated that King’s House in St Andrew was used as the Government House by the spy, known by his code number 007, in Dr. No.

She said in a release, “I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family of Sir Sean and to his colleagues at Eon Productions which has been responsible for the production of the Bond films.”

The official 007 Instagram page posted the following 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’ – [and] revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.”

Daniel Craig, the latest actor to reprise the role of James Bond, participated in leading tributes to the original and arguably the best James Bond ever. “It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema. 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 megawatts; he helped create the modern blockbuster. He will continue to influence actors and film-makers alike for years to come. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course.”

Scenes from the latest edition of the Bond franchise, No Time To Die, were filmed in Portland, Jamaica, in 2019 and employed over 500 Jamaicans from the cultural, entertainment and creative sectors.