Sean Connery, the actor best known for portraying the legendary spy "007" James Bond, was trending on Twitter after someone posted a letter of him to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
The letter is a fake, as Connery never sent this letter to Jobs in 1998, refusing to be in an Apple advertisement.
But it caused a sensation on the social media, because the letter was typewritten, and how Connery mocked the visionary co-founder by saying that the latter is a mere "computer salesman" and the former is a "f*cking JAMES BOND!"
It was then revealed that the letter was actually part of a satirical article on a previously relatively unknown humor site, called Scoopertino, which frequently share "unreal Apple news".
The site has in the past, for example, shared news like claiming actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the father of Apple design head Jony Ive.
According to Scoopertino, the letter is the last of a series of communications between Connery and Jobs, revealed in the “book” iMaculate Conception: How Apple’s iMac Was Born.
The site said that the book from former Apple marketing executive, Frederica Woods, spins the tale of the time before the iMac's first Christmas in 1998.
Due to slowing sales during the holiday, Steve Jobs who was said to be a fan of the British MI6 secret agent, instructed his team to create a special celebrity Christmas ad featuring Sean Connery.
Connery has been known to portray James Bond in seven films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983).
And through the letter, which was a fake, Connery was giving Jobs a piece of his mind.
The letter went viral on Twitter after marketing executive John Willshire took the letter seriously and posted it on his Twitter account.
Sean Connery, the letter, and Willshire who shared it, were among the top trending topics on Twitter, beating even the Wimbledon in the UK.
They were trending on Twitter as users shared the correspondence, many calling it the “best letter ever.” There were many people who believed that Connery literally owned a personalized stationery with a "007" vanity stamp on it.
But soon after Willshire realized his mistake, he posted an update to clarify that the letter was in fact a fake and explaining that he had been tricked.
Commander James Bond is a fictional character created by the British journalist and novelist Ian Fleming.
Making its first appearance in 1952, the character as described by Fleming, is tall, athletic and handsome. Bond that is told to be around his thirties or forties, is said to have several vices, including drinking, smoking, gambling, cars and a womanizer. Bond is also portrayed as an exceptional marksman, a skilled combatant, and good in skiing, swimming and golf.
James Bond is that 'shoots now, ask questions later' character type.
Bond is also known for his flamboyant lifestyle, a fond of high-tech gadgetry, and a fan of expensive products.
Sean Connery was casted for Dr. No following his previous appearances in British films from the late 1950s. But being muscular, Connery was said to lack the finesse and elegance to portray James Bond. Fleming wanted a more suave actor to portray the agent.
But since Producer Albert R. Broccoli disagreed with Fleming, saying that he wanted a "ballsy guy", Connery was then chosen.
"He was exceedingly handsome, virile and sexy and that really was the tenor of what the script was always trying to display," he said.
While Connery's interpretation of James Bond differed considerably from Fleming's original idea, Connery gave the character the style he needed for the 'perfect' legendary spy.
On October 31, 2020, Connery died at the age of 90.
“The name’s Bond... James Bond” — he revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.”
— James Bond (@007) October 31, 2020