Many will know he was once a milkman for St Cuthbert’s Co-operative Society in Fountainbridge, but the future 007 turned his hand to around a dozen other jobs before pursuing a full-time acting career.
Take a look through our photo gallery to see 11 jobs screen icon Connery had before he was famous.
. Stage actor
Having settled on acting, Sean Connery appeared in The Seashell at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh in 1959. Within three years he was famous around the world as James Bond. Photo: Unknown
. Labourer
Connery had a stint as a tradesman before pursuing his acting dream and learned how to be a brick layer. Photo: Unknown
. Lifeguard
A young Connery was employed in the 1950s as a lifeguard at Portobello's open-air pool and became very popular with the local ladies on account of his good looks and ripped physique. Photo: Unknown
. Life model
This painting by Alastair Fairweather shows Sean Connery as a life model. Sean earned some extra cash at Edinburgh's art college and was painted by a young Richard Demarco among other notable names. Photo: julie bull
9. Coffin-polisher
One of Sir Sean's more unusual pre-Bond roles was as a coffin-polisher. Connery claimed he would bleach the coffins in order to make it seem as if they were made of oak. Photo: Contributed
10. Lorry driver
Sean briefly followed in his father's footsteps to become a lorry driver. Joe Connery had driven trucks for the North British Rubber Company. Photo: Unknown
11. Footballer
Sean Connery was a gifted footballer who attracted the attentions of Manchester Untied boss Matt Busby while playing for Bonnyrigg Rose. Sean famously rejected Busby's £25 a week contract offer - just as well his career as a film star took off. Photo: Contributed