Connery shaken, stirred by tribute

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.

The 75-year-old Oscar-winner, whose film career spans nearly five decades, joins 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 June 21 at 9 p.m. on USA.

The evening’s festivities opened with a kilt-adorned Mike Myers arriving on stage 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.”

Fellow Bond star Pierce Brosnan recollected the time -- Aug. 12, 1964 -- when at the age of 11 his love and passion for acting took hold after his parents took him to see “Goldfinger.”

Brosnan also recalled the first time he met Connery -- “the big man” -- after he had taken over the role of Agent 007. Brosnan had spent the day filming a particularly difficult action sequence on “The World Is Not Enough” and ran into Connery in the parking lot at the film studio. Unbeknown to Brosnan, Connery had also been on the set and watched the stunt work unfold. Connery chided him: “Are they paying you enough money?”

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

Much was made during the evening about how no matter what type of character Connery played -- from his Oscar-winning turn as an Irish cop in “The Untouchables” to an Arab chieftain in “The Wind and the Lion” to a Russia sub commander in “The Hunt for Red October” -- he always spoke in his distinctive Scottish brogue.

“Sean never changes,” said Terry Gilliam, his “Time Bandits” director, in a taped interview. “He’s always Scottish.”

Former AFI winner Harrison Ford presented Connery with the prestigious honor. Ford noted that he played Connery’s son in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” “Dad?” quipped Ford. “He’s only 12 years older than me, so how does that work?”

He added: “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.”

As bagpipes and drums heralded his arrival on stage, Connery began to dance, much to the enjoyment of the crowd.

“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.”