Sir Sean Connery `shaken and stirred` by lifetime achievement award

22-Jun-2006 • Actor News

Sean Connery, the Scotsman who was the first -- and, some say, the best -- James Bond had to fight back tears several times Thursday evening as he was feted as the recipient of the 34th annual American Film Institute Life Achievement Award - reports the Sun Sentinel.

The 75-year-old Oscar-winner, whose film career spans nearly five decades, joined the ranks of such actors as Clint Eastwood, James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Tom Hanks, Sidney Poitier and Jack Nicholson who have also received the AFI honor.

The 90-minute presentation at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood was sentimental, emotional and often R-rated funny. It will air tonight at 9 p.m. on USA.

The evening's festivities opened with a kilt-adorned Mike Myers arriving onstage accompanied by bagpipes and drums.

"Sean Connery's portrayal of James Bond was the inspiration for Austin Powers," Myers told the star-studded crowd. "You, Mr. Connery, were my dad's hero because you are a man's man. And I admit I have a man crush."

After showing pictures of a chiseled, muscular young Connery when he came in third in the Mr. Universe contest in 1953, Myers proclaimed: "My man crush deepens."

Julia Ormond, who starred opposite Connery in 1995's First Knight, acknowledged that the actor may act debonair on screen but in real life he's a klutz prone to spilling things. "He's closer to Clouseau than 007," she said.

Director Steven Spielberg, who worked with Connery in 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, described him as "the man who leaves us shaken and stirred" as he introduced a series of clips from Bond movies including Dr. No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger.

One of the highlights of the Bond tribute was a performance of Thunderball by Tom Jones, who originally sang the hit tune in 1965.

Former AFI winner Harrison Ford presented Connery with the prestigious honor. "You gave us the world. You've been a man of action, a man of passion, a man of wisdom and a man for the ages," Ford said.

As bagpipes and drums heralded his arrival onstage, Connery began to dance.

"I had no idea this was such a big deal," Connery told the audience. "I mean that sincerely. I am here and I'm happy you are all here. It's been a long journey ... My feet are tired but my heart is not."