Sir Sean Connery tributes: what celebrities and politicians have said about the late Scottish Bond legend - from Jackie Stewart to Donald Trump

Emotional tributes flooded in for the first 007 after he passed away

Many celebrities paid tribute to Sir Sean Connery who passed away aged 90 (Shutterstock)

Scottish acting legend Sir Sean Connery has died at the age of 90, and tributes from the entertainment world have poured in for the man renowned for his portrayal of James Bond.

Sir Sean, whose family said he died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas following a long illness, was the first to bring the 007 character to the big screen.

He went on to appear in seven of the Bond blockbusters from 1962 to 1983, and his name became synonymous with the spy role.

Sir Sean, who was born in Edinburgh, enjoyed an esteemed acting career over seven decades, including winning an Oscar in 1988 for his part in The Untouchables.

Tributes from Hollywood greats, fellow James Bond actors, authors and politicians flooded in for the actor after news of his death was announced.

Here are some of the reactions:

Which stars paid tribute to Sir Sean Connery?

Daniel Craig

Craig, the current James Bond, called Sir Sean “one of the true greats of cinema”.

In a statement, he said: "Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style.

"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."

Dame Shirley Bassey

Dame Shirley provided the soundtracks to the Bond films Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever, which Connery starred in.

She said: "He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond.

"When we were younger I used to cheer Sean on from the sidelines whilst he played football in his team, The Showbiz 11.

"Well, I will always be there to cheer you on Sean. Forever in our hearts and may you rest in peace."

Sir Jackie Stewart

Former British Formula One champion and close pal of Connery, Jackie Stewart, spoke of his friendship with the star on Good Morning Britain.

He said: “He was an amazing man and a great, great friend.

"You couldn’t have done more to find someone that good. It’s a great loss.

"He was James Bond. The new man (Daniel Craig) is terrific but Sean had something that was different to everybody else."

Robert de Niro

The actor starred alongside Sir Sean in the 1987 gangster movie The Untouchables.

He said in a statement: “I’m very sorry to hear about Sean’s passing. He seemed much younger than 90; I expected – and hoped– he’d be with us much longer. See you up there, Sean.”

Pierce Brosnan

Fellow James Bond icon Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 in the 1990s and early 2000s, paid a heartfelt tribute to Connery via Instagram.

He said: “Sir Sean Connery, you were my greatest James Bond as a boy, and as a man who became James Bond himself.

“You were mighty in every way, as an actor and as a man, and will remain so till the end of time. You were loved by the world, and will be missed. God bless, rest now, be at peace.”

Valerie Leon

Bond girl Valerie Leon, who co-starred alongside Connery in Never Say Never Again, paid tribute to the actor in a tweet alongside a picture of the two from the film:

“Remembering the definitive James Bond Sean Connery. I had the privilege of working with him in Never Say Never Again. He was a true star and will be much missed. RIP.”

Donald Trump

The American President took to Twitter to call Connery “quite a guy, and a tough character”.

He said: “The legendary actor, 007 Sean Connery, has past [sic] on to even greener fairways.”

Trump then went on to claim Connery once helped him to get approval for “a big development” in Scotland.

Sam Neill

Sir Sean’s co-star in 1990 spy-thriller The Hunt for Red October, Sam Neill, tweeted:

“Every day on set with Sean Connery was an object lesson in how to act on screen. But all that charisma and power - that was utterly unique to Sean. RIP that great man, that great actor.”

Alec Baldwin

Hollywood great Alec Baldwin also starred alongside Connery in The Hunt for Red October.

Posting a video tribute to Instagram, he said: “I think everybody who worked with him would say the same thing — what a professional he was.

"He was such a great professional to work with. I learned so much from him. He was so kind to me and warm toward me, which he didn't have to be."

George Takei

Star Trek actor George Takei took to Twitter to call Sir Sean a “movie legend”.

He wrote: “Sean Connery was a movie legend, even far into his golden years.

“Our strongest Bonds were formed by him, and he was Untouchable. He passed today at age 90, a suave hero to the end.”

Hugh Jackman

The Greatest Showman star Hugh Jackman posted a tweet in tribute to Connery alongside a picture of him as Bond:

“I grew up idolizing Sean Connery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace.”

Antonio Banderas

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas tweeted a tribute accompanied by some photographs of the late Connery.

He wrote simply: “Adios mister Connery. RIP.”

Stephen King

Horror and crime author Stephen King shared a picture from Sir Sean’s first film, the 1955 musical Lilacs in the Spring, alongside a short tribute:

“Sean Connery in his first starring role, as a washed-up boxer. He was a fine actor and by most accounts a good guy.”