James Bond Actor Sean Connery Befriended Actress Shelly Winters Before 'Dr. No' Made Him a Superstar

Photo byClassic TV Preservation Society

Before, during, and after he became a superstar by way of Dr. No, the first James Bond feature film, Sean Connery was adored behind the scenes by several female Hollywood icons, including Oscar-winning actress Shelly Winters.

Here’s How They Met

Early in his career, before Dr. No's premiere in 1962m Sean Connery was financially strapped and had little choice but to take less-glamorous part-time jobs.

One such menial position was babysitting for journalist Peter Noble and his actress wife, Marianne, which paid 10 shillings a night. One such non-menial night at the Noble home, Connery met Shelly Winters, who, by then had delivered stellar screen performances in movies like in 1951’s A Place in the Sun with Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor.

For Years Later

Shelly Winters for years later continued to spend time with Sean Connery at his apartment, along with his brother Neal, all three drinking beer. Years later, Winters described Sean as “one of the tallest and most charming and masculine Scotsmen” she had ever known.