HELLO! November 27, 1993

AT THEIR APARTMENT IN LOS ANGELES

SEAN CONNERY AND HIS WIFE MICHELINE

LAUGH OFF REPORTS THAT HE WAS AT DEATH’S DOOR AND EXPLAIN THE REAL STATE OF HIS HEALTH

The ever-popular Sean Connery believes in growing old gracefully because, as he puts it with characteristic common sense, “what are you going to do about it?”  It’s like going bald, he says, you just get used to it.

And although the former Bond action man is now 63 and bald, it hasn’t stopped him being voted one of the sexiest film stars around and continuing to make the kind of rugged films that reflect his looks and physique.

True, there’s a difference now; his later films have traded on his position as a Hollywood veteran, with Sean playing roles involving a “Master”, or teacher aspect.

Behind his film work, Sean continues to wrestle with his golf game (he’s been playing for almost 30 years) and enjoy life with his French-born wife of 18 years, Micheline.

In this interview, the couple talk about life and golf, and how they received the news of Sean’s death in misguided press reports!

Sean, do you find yourself getting more demanding or more laid-back as you get older?
“More demanding, especially in my profession.  More cynical, too.  But really it should be Micheline who answers that one.  Careful, though, she may be biased.  Having said that, the more time goes by, the more I realize that I haven’t learnt anything from my mistakes.”

Micheline: “When I met Sean, 24 years ago, he was a disillusioned man, he was blasé, unenthusiastic.  He underrated himself, he thought everyone else had more talent than he did.  He had a very pessimistic outlook on the world.  I gave him security and joie de vivre.  He sees problems everywhere and says that I’m here to solve them.”

Sean, you’re always very reticent about talking about yourself.  You only really open up when you’re playing golf.
“I don’t know any other sport which can bring you from the heights of happiness to the depths of despair like golf can.  You have to learn to control yourself, yet stay aggressive.  It’s an extraordinary revealer of character, just as unfair as life.  You have to fight like a dog to win!”

Are you a self-taught man?
“Today, faced with an intellectual, I still feel like a little boy sometimes.  When I was small I was greedy for reading and knowledge.  But I think the only school for children is the school of life.  Mollycoddling them is the worst thing you can do for them.”

People are always talking about your wonderful looks or body, but they don’t talk about your intelligence.  Do you think of yourself as intelligent or just smart?
“They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  When I stopped doing the James Bond films, they said, ‘What’s he going to be able to do now?’  I do what I can…I’m quite smart in some respects, not as intelligent as all that in others.  Or I wouldn’t have made the mistakes I’ve made! I’m known for having attacked all the production companies.  They deserve it, they rob you of everything.  I can’t stand injustice!”

M: “Terence Young says that apart from Lassie, Sean’s the only one who hasn’t been corrupted by the studios.  He’s a diamond.  He’s the most honest man I know.”

But he must have some faults?
M: “Yes, he can be too hard on himself.  And he has other faults too.  He judges people very harshly, for example.”

You seem to have a lot of self-confidence, Sean.  Where does it come from?
“I try to keep things simple.  My creed is, ‘Do as you would be done by’.  I lead a normal life.  I go to football and boxing, I go out for a walk in the street when I feel like it.  I don’t hide away from anyone.”

M:  “Sean has a very natural temperament.  His only priority is to do the things he does well, whether it’s golf or a film.  He takes everything very seriously.”

You found out about poverty as a child: does it ever influence your reactions?
“Getting rich isn’t my priority.  If it were, I’d have carried on doing the Bond films. I don't feel tied to material things; Micheline holds my memories. But I do hate waste. I always turn off the lights when I go out!"

And what about the old joke about Scots being stingy? Is he generous, Micheline?
"Yes, very. Sometimes he'll gripe about spending ten dollars, but then he'll let millions just slip through his fingers."

Women of all ages find you attractive, Sean. Have you ever felt intimidated by a woman?
"The only woman who might overwhelm me is Mother Theresa, but I haven't been fortunate enough to meet her. I have been embarrassed by certain situations, but then, anything I do gets misinterpreted. It's inevitable!"

How do you react to women who claim they've had torrid affairs with your husband, Micheline?
"My principle is not to say anything at all, even when I'm offered a lot of money to do so. But if a woman gets a bit too close to Sean, I'll kill her. That's it."

Sean, there have been reports that you've been very ill with throat cancer. Is it true?
"Seven years ago I had treatment to get rid of some polyps on me larynx, which didn't stop me doing seven films. And then, a year ago, we realised during a routine check-up that me polyps had come back. The most effective way of getting rid of the affected cells was radiation treatment. I had that treatment this summer, during six weeks in London."

Did you suffer any side effects?
"No. No nausea, no insomnia, no loss of appetite. I went in to my office every day. During the first two weeks of treatment, I slowed down a bit, but that's all. It was really only my golf that was affected. In another six months I have to have a check-up."

Why did people say you were at death's door?
"Simply because I used the word radiation at a press conference. What else could I have said? It was the truth. But I'm getting used to all this: it's the second time it's happened to me this year.

"In April, my friend and neighbour James Hunt died on the same day as James Connally, former governor of Texas.

"Connally, Connery... it's easy to get the names mixed up. The news I was dead came out of South Africa and went round the world."

You're lucky -they say that it's everyone's dream to attend their own funeral!
"My wish came true! The whole world came calling at the house. Most of all, I noticed who didn't call: I finally found out who my real friends are. What a year! But I feel reassured; apparently, if your death is announced when you're still alive, you have a longer life."

INTERVIEW: DANY JUCAUD