Sir Sean Connery’s brother Neil dead aged 83 after long battle with illness
SIR Sean Connery’s younger brother has died aged 83.
Neil Connery, who starred in 1960s James Bond spoof Operation Kid Brother, passed away on Monday morning following a long illness.
Neil Connery has died aged 83[/caption]He leaves behind wife Eleanor and daughters Martine and Leone.
Friends paid tribute to the Scot who ‘looked and sounded’ just like older brother Sir Sean Connery[/caption]His death comes just seven months after 007 legend Sir Sean’s death. The Edinburgh-born star passed away at his Bahamas home aged 90 last October.
Confirming the news of Neil’s tragic passing, close friend Steve Begg wrote on Facebook: “My good friend and Edinburgh drinking buddy Neil Connery passed away early this morning I’m sad to report.
“He considered me a lackluster challenge when it came to the drinking stakes but I considered him with respect.
“He looked and sounded like his big bro so going out with him was always interesting to say the leasht. Mish you Neil.”
Neil Connery with wife Eleanor Connery and girls from the film Operation Kid Brother in 1968[/caption] Neil said his brother Sir Sean supported his foray into acting[/caption] Neil had several film and TV credits under his belt[/caption]James Bond fan site From Sweden With Love has since paid tribute to the Scot.
They wrote: “We are sad to report that Neil Connery, younger brother of Sean and who starred in 1967’s James Bond spoof Operation Kid Brother, passed away yesterday morning (May 10) at the age of 83 following a long illness.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Neil didn’t follow in his brother’s footsteps with a full-time acting career but did feature in 1969 flick The Body Stealers and an episode of Scottish crime drama Taggart in 1989.
It is understood Sir Sean was cautiously supportive of hir sibling’s acting stints.
Neil told Photoplay magazine: “I remember the advice Sean gave me.
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“Take it easy, make sure everything is in black-and-white before you sign it; and ensure it’s to your advantage.”
Bond spoof Operation Kid Brother took less than three months to shoot, in Monaco, Morocco and Spain – opening in the UK in May 1968.
A keen amateur photographer, Neil regretted not getting a snap of his name in lights above Piccadilly Circus when the movie premiered, a fan site reported.