26 replies to this topic

[danslittlefinger]

http://www.dailymail...y-told-son.html

He was raised in a two-bedroom house with no bathroom and left school at 13 to push barrows for a little over £1 a week.


After rising from such humble beginnings to become a fabulously-rich movie star, it is perhaps unsurprising that Sir Sean Connery wanted his son to have the same work ethic.


According to his former wife, Diane Cilento, the former James Bond actor told his son Jason that he would never receive a penny of his £85million fortune.

She said Connery was determined that Jason should pursue a career and earn his own living, rather than sponging off his father.
But Miss Cilento, who was married to Connery for 11 years before their bitter divorce in 1973, said Connery's determination to cut Jason off financially meant they had a difficult relationship.

She claims that at one stage Jason, who now works as an actor and film director, threatened to change his name after Connery accused him of cashing in on his father's fame.

Australian-born Miss Cilento told the Sunday Times: 'Sean said, "You only got this (acting) job because your name's Connery." 'Jason said, "Well, I'll change it to something else." Sean said, "If you do that I'll f****** kill you."
'Jason loves him but Sean has a problem about relationships, as everybody round him knows. Jason is a very devoted son - when Sean is sick he rushes there. They play golf together.'

Sean Connery with his former wife Diane Cilento and Jason aged four

Connery, 77, is due next month to publish his long-awaited autobiography, Being A Scot.

It details his upbringing in the industrial end of Edinburgh by his mother and father, a cleaner and truck driver respectively.

There was no bathroom and the family had to use a communal toilet outside.

Aged 14 he earned 21 shillings (£1.05) a week as a barrow pusher before working as a lorry driver, labourer, coffin polisher and artist's model.

Before landing the part of James Bond in the 1962 film Dr No, Connery spent some time as a milkman.

Jason, 45, is Connery's only child and developed an interest in acting while a boarder at Gordonstoun.

He was accepted to the Bristol Old Vic drama school and the Perth Repertory Company, where, as well as acting he worked as an assistant stage manager to earn his Equity card.


According to friends, Jason, who is best known for the title role in the 1985 television series Robin of Sherwood, was so poor in the early 1980s that he relied on handouts from other actors to survive.


Jason, who has recently finished directing his second film, an action thriller which stars Cuba Gooding Jnr and Ray Winstone, refused to comment on his mother's revelations.


Connery, who lives in the Bahamas, has also declined to reveal if his son will inherit any of his fortune.


However, the 007 star, who was knighted by the Queen in his home city in July 2000, is one of a growing number of wealthy individuals who have refused to subsidise their children and have forced them to stand on their own two feet.


Body Shop founder Anita Roddick gave her £51million fortune away before her death at the age of 64 last year, without passing any of her money on to her daughters, Sam and Justine.


Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Barron Hilton - Paris Hilton's rich grandfather - and Nigella Lawson have all said their children will not receive the majority of their fortunes on their deaths.

[Bondian]

Okay. I can understand Sean's and Roger's attitude about money. Both Jason Connery and Geoffrey Moore have found their own way of earning their 'crust'. But being miscounted from their father's fortune is wrong.

I'm not worth a penny. But if I die my son would inherit something. Not because I'm wealthy, but because I've catered for him in my death.

So to whom will you leave your millions to, Mr Connery?

[Single-O-Seven]

So to whom will you leave your millions to, Mr Connery?

George Lazenby?

[urhash]

The Men's Benevolent Association for Giving Women Palm Sandwiches?

[danslittlefinger]

The Men's Benevolent Association for Giving Women Palm Sandwiches?

[Colossus]

I think Diane is probably stretching things a bit since she might be peeved from the divorce herself.

[Skudor]

I can sympathise with wanting the kid to earn his own bread. Nothing wrong with sharing a little though.

[Safari Suit]

Not sure I agree, but I can sort of understand.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

I can understand why Sean would do this. He earned his money and he'd want his son to earn his own too. Look at the young heirs partying their lives away now and days and you can see why he'd want to avoid having a trust fund baby. It would be nice if he left his son a little something, however with estate taxes what they are, it'd probably be more of a headache. I'm sure Sir Sean will leave his money to his various causes.

My father has congestive heart failure and so we know he's not got long to be with us. He had wanted to give myself, my twin and my older sister part of his insurance money as an inheritance. My twin and I refused it straight out. I'd rather have my dad than money and we're young enough to make our own money anyway. Besides my stepmother is, though active and healthy, older than my dad. She'll need the money more than we would after he's gone. My older sister reluctantly agreed to match our gesture and give up her portion of my dad's money as well. My inheritance shall be my father's collection of W.E.B. Griffen novels(Though I've never actually read the author.). My twin will also receive more books, as will our older sister.

[double o ego]

I don't believe that Connery would excuse his son from his will BUT what he's done by not spoiling his son financially, is something he can't and shouldn't be condemned for.

[DamnCoffee]

Sean Connery comes across as a really horrible man. I'm beginning to dislike him greatly. Mr Connery does seem like a... well for lack of a better word... a !

[Mister Asterix]

Don’t know if she’s telling the truth, lying, or something in between, but it’s best not to take sides in these things. Deservedly or not, Diane Cilento is a bitter woman and my believing or not believing her stories will not change things one bit. So I’ll not get angry at Mr Connery because his ex-wife loathes him, nor will I support him more for it.

[Royal Dalton]

Daily Telegraph

Connery's fury at former wife's claim

Shaken that his former wife Diane Cilento should have dragged their son, Jason, into her increasingly acrimonious feud with him, Sir Sean Connery has told Mandrake that she is an “insane woman” who is prepared to “stoop to the level of the gutter” in her attempts to tarnish his reputation.

Mandrake by Tim Walker
21 Jul 2008

“I haven’t seen the woman in 37 years and she knows nothing about me or my life now,” says Sir Sean who has been married for the past 33 years to his French wife Micheline.

“Diane can’t move on from the break up of our marriage and I have already had to contend with her accusations about me being violent towards her. Now the lies seem to be getting even more vicious, and, what is worse, she is dragging our son into it.

“I have just come off the phone to Jason and I know he will be making his own statement but I never told him I wasn’t going to leave him a penny in my will or that I said he only had the career he has as an actor and director because of his family name. He happens to have talent of his own.

I saw him in Scotland only last year and we speak constantly on the phone. As for being mean to him when he was a lad, I sent him to Millfield, which is Britain’s most expensive public school, and I sent him after that to Gordonstoun when it became clear to me that Millfield was rubbish.

Long before I divorced Diane, I actually set up a trust fund worth £85,000 for his education and the education of Diane’s daughter which of course would be worth a lot more today. I did everything any father could reasonably be expected to do.

“It seems to me a shame that whatever garbage Diane comes out with about me is reported as the gospel truth, but of course a lot of people have their own agenda about me because of my support for the SNP.”

Miss Cilento, 74, gave an insight into her feelings for Sir Sean, 77, when she said in an interview: “I do feel there’s unfinished business between us. I loved the old Sean, I still do.

Sometimes when I see him today on some talk show, I catch a fleeting glimpse of my old love in the turn of his head or a well-remembered phrase, and it still makes my heart turn over.”

[Mr. Blofeld]

So, Sean's a tightwad poof and Diane's a bunny-boiler; what's not to love?

[Bondian]

Don’t know if she’s telling the truth, lying, or something in between, but it’s best not to take sides in these things. Deservedly or not, Diane Cilento is a bitter woman and my believing or not believing her stories will not change things one bit. So I’ll not get angry at Mr Connery because his ex-wife loathes him, nor will I support him more for it.

There speaks a voice of reason.

[double o ego]

Well after reading Connery's comments, I'm glad to know I was right. Connery gets too much unwarrented stick, for no reason it seems other than his ex wife just can't let go and move on.

[Skudor]

Well after reading Connery's comments, I'm glad to know I was right. Connery gets too much unwarrented stick, for no reason it seems other than his ex wife just can't let go and move on.

I guess he does get a lot of unfair stick based on some old stories about smacking. I love that rebuttal. Clearly written by an angry man.

[NVT]

um, Sean it not the first wealthy parent to say that his fortunes will not be left for his children, nor the last. It's is not like his grown up capable kids are going to go hungry and be forced to turn tricks. Anyway we live in a consumer society, so most of his money would be spent in non essential things for the sake of having things. Life is what you make it!

[Zorin Industries]

Even in death Sean Connery will be a tight and nasty man...

At least his eventual passing will match his behaviour in life.

I suppose he gets to punch lady angels in the face too... (allegedly of course....).

PS. Diane Cilento is entitled to say whatever she wants - especially if there is any validity in her claims (claims that forced someone to not release his take on things - which speaks volumes to me). That seems to be the rule for her ex-husband when it comes to his harping on about Scotland, money, the film industry and even James Bond films.

[danslittlefinger]

http://www.express.c...ry-s-tough-love

Yes, quite.

[Hotwinds]

I am sure Jason will be remembered and taken care of despite what Seans ex-wife says. It is Seans only son.




[quote name='danslittlefinger' date='20 July 2008 - 21:18' post='893943']
http://www.dailymail...y-told-son.html

Jason, who has recently finished directing his second film, an action thriller which stars Cuba Gooding Jnr and Ray Winstone, refused to comment on his mother's revelations.

[DR76]

Don’t know if she’s telling the truth, lying, or something in between, but it’s best not to take sides in these things. Deservedly or not, Diane Cilento is a bitter woman and my believing or not believing her stories will not change things one bit. So I’ll not get angry at Mr Connery because his ex-wife loathes him, nor will I support him more for it.

Very sensible. I don't believe in automatically assuming the worst about someone . . . especially if that person is embroiled in a personal feud.

[BoogieBond]

I can understand why Sean would do this. He earned his money and he'd want his son to earn his own too. Look at the young heirs partying their lives away now and days and you can see why he'd want to avoid having a trust fund baby. It would be nice if he left his son a little something, however with estate taxes what they are, it'd probably be more of a headache. I'm sure Sir Sean will leave his money to his various causes.

I agree with you ImTheMoneypenny

I am sure anybody who loves someone, or is close to someone would rather they stick around for another 20 years and get nothing, material things matter a jot in the big scheme of things.

I don't know who brought this up, whether a journo or Diane or whoever, but its in bad taste and disrespectful, as Sean is very clearly alive and kicking.
Mind you Sean has reacted to it, so its 6 of one, and half a dozen of another I suppose.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

I can understand why Sean would do this. He earned his money and he'd want his son to earn his own too. Look at the young heirs partying their lives away now and days and you can see why he'd want to avoid having a trust fund baby. It would be nice if he left his son a little something, however with estate taxes what they are, it'd probably be more of a headache. I'm sure Sir Sean will leave his money to his various causes.

I agree with you ImTheMoneypenny

I am sure anybody who loves someone, or is close to someone would rather they stick around for another 20 years and get nothing, material things matter a jot in the big scheme of things.

I don't know who brought this up, whether a journo or Diane or whoever, but its in bad taste and disrespectful, as Sean is very clearly alive and kicking.
Mind you Sean has reacted to it, so its 6 of one, and half a dozen of another I suppose.

Thanks BoogieBond. Somewhere along the way, money some how equated love. If Jason is not commenting or agreeing with his mother, than this is most likely a non-issue for him. Didn't Warren Buffet decide to leave majority of his billions to charity and everyone applauded including his kids/grandkids, no one called him mean. I believe he even had his family get jobs as well. It made them better people.

Now as for many of the other things, well who can honestly say. There are three sides to every story. As Mister Asterix pointed out, we just don't know where the truth lies. I've seen many a nasty allegation been thrown at innocent men. My loving caring father was a victim of nasty allegations which magically was no longer an issue when my mother dropped me and my twin off on his doorstep for the next ten years of our lives. I have seen the same nastiness thrown at innocent women at the end of marriages and relationships from my previous job.

Whatever the truth maybe it does not take away from the fact I enjoy many of his films.

Edited by ImTheMoneypenny, 23 July 2008 - 06:37 PM.

[Qwerty]

Sir Sean's no tyrant, says his son

Actor Jason Connery said he was sick of his 007 star father Sir Sean Connery being portrayed as "some sort of monster or tyrant".

The 45-year-old, who starred in the TV series Robin of Sherwood, hit back after an article about him and his father was published last week.

Connery Jnr said: "I feel compelled to respond to the article because it was so full of outrageous and hurtful lies and fabrications."

It was reported that according to Diane Cilento - Connery Snr's former wife and Connery Jnr's mother - the veteran actor had told their son he would "never receive a penny" from him.

But in a statement 45-year-old Jason Connery said: "I am truly sick of reading about my father and our relationship and of his being portrayed as some sort of monster or tyrant who rules my life by 'cutting me off from his wealth'. This all could not be farther from the truth."

He added his father had "earned this money, through nothing but his own tireless hard work, and what he does with it and who he gives it to is completely up to him".

However he insisted: "He and I have never had a conversation where he said "you will never receive a penny" or anything to that effect. That is simply a lie."

Connery Jnr, who developed his interest in acting while at Gordonstoun School for Boys in Scotland, stressed his Oscar winning father had been "supportive and full of invaluable feedback" throughout his career.

The article had alleged Connery Snr and his son had a "fractious relationship" but Connery Jnr said: "My father and I have lived in different countries for many years, and yet we speak often and see each other when we can.

"I honour, respect and love my father and for good reason. And not only do I resent these lies in this article, but I refuse to allow them to be perpetuated any longer. I have learned from my father the importance of standing up against dishonesty and personal attacks, regardless of the cost, and this is one of those times."

http://commanderbond...n...&item=48211 - Harlow & Bishop's Stortford The Citizen

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Thanks Qwerty!

[ChickenStu]

Must really piss the dude off that over 30 years after the divorce, she still can't help but badmouth him.