Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1930. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a domestic cleaner. Connery left school at the age of 13 and began working as a milkman. He later joined the Royal Navy, where he served for three years.
Connery's acting career began in the early 1950s, when he appeared in a number of small roles in British films. His big break came in 1962, when he was cast as James Bond in the film Dr. No. The film was a huge success and Connery quickly became one of the most popular actors in the world.
Connery continued to play James Bond in six more films, including From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Never Say Never Again (1983). He also starred in a number of other successful films during the 1960s and 1970s, including The Great Escape (1963), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and The Man Who Would Be King (1975).
In the 1980s, Connery's career began to decline. He starred in a number of poorly-received films, including Outland (1981), Never Say Never Again (1983), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003). However, he did receive some critical acclaim for his roles in The Untouchables (1987), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and The Rock (1996).
Connery retired from acting in 2006. He has received numerous awards for his work, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. He was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.