Sean Connery, famously known as the original James Bond from Ian Fleming's spy series, found himself entangled in a real-life drama reminiscent of his on-screen adventures before donning the iconic spy persona.
Back in 1958, Connery co-starred with Lana Turner in a film titled “Another Time, Another Place,” where Turner, aged 37, and Connery, aged 28, shared the screen.
Meanwhile, Johnny Stompanato, a bodyguard associated with mobster Mickey Cohen, allegedly mistreated Turner during this time.
The plot thickened as rumors of an affair between Turner and Connery surfaced due to their roles as romantic partners in the movie.
Off-screen, the two actors had a complicated history, fueling speculation about their relationship.
During the filming in London in 1957, word of the supposed affair traveled far, eventually reaching Stompanato, who menacingly threatened Turner upon hearing the news.
Stompanato, who had been dating Turner since the mid-1950s, flew to London with the intention of confronting Connery directly.
Despite Turner's warnings to Connery to avoid the set on a crucial shooting day, the actor remained unfazed.
As cameras rolled, Stompanato barged onto the set, brandishing a pistol at Connery.
Unbeknownst to Stompanato, Connery, a former bodybuilding competitor in Mr. Universe with a black belt in karate, swiftly disarmed him and incapacitated him with a single punch.
Following the altercation, Turner alerted the authorities, resulting in Stompanato's deportation for violating UK gun laws.
In a shocking turn of events, Stompanato met his demise at the hands of Turner's 15-year-old daughter, Cheryl Crane, the following year.
Crane took action when she overheard Stompanato making threats against her mother's life during an argument at their Beverly Hills residence, leading her to defend her mother by fatally wounding Stompanato.
Cheryl Crane faced trial for the incident involving Stompanato, marking a tragic conclusion to the tumultuous series of events involving the Hollywood stars and the mob enforcer.
