Connery son’s anger at gossip

Jason Connery told the Scottish Sunday Express that his father was a generous man and hit out at the “convenient stereotype” of the Hollywood legend as being tight with his money. [>

[>

His outburst came after a newspaper story in which his mother and Sir Sean’s ex-wife Diane Cilento said their son would “never receive a penny” of the Edinburgh-born actor’s wealth. [>

[>

The article alleged that Sir Sean was fed up with Jason “cashing in” on his name and threatened to cut him off in order to make him work. It also claimed that when Jason threatened to change his surname, Sir Sean shouted: “If you do, I’ll f****** kill you.” [>

[>

But the 45-year-old actor, director and producer, who is on good terms with both his parents, last night branded the allegations “hurtful” and said his mother had been misquoted. [>

[>

Writing exclusively for the Scottish Sunday Express, he said he had taken the unusual step of speaking out about his personal life because he was so sickened by the Sunday Times article. [>

[>

He said Sir Sean was not a tyrant, and praised him for his generosity, adding that his father’s fortunes had nothing to do with him. He added: “My position concerning my father’s wealth is that he alone has earned this money. What he does with it and who he gives it to is completely up to him.” [>

[>

Father-of-one Jason, who divorced from Mia Sara in 2003 and now lives in California helping bring up their son, Dashiell, was also infuriated by claims he is a “poor jobbing actor”.  [>

[>

He pointed out he had always worked for his money and added: “I am truly sick of reading about my father … being portrayed as some sort of monster or tyrant who rules my life. This could not be further from the truth.”  [>

[>

Sir Sean has also hit out against the comments attributed to his Australian ex-wife, with whom he has not spoken directly since they divorced in 1973. [>

[>

The 77-year-old saw the allegations as an attempt to generate a row, driven by a political vendetta because of his support for the SNP and Scottish independence. He said he regularly speaks to his son over the telephone and sees Jason and his grandson as often as possible. [>

[>

He added: “I never told him I wasn’t going to leave him a penny or said he only had the career he has because of his family name. Jason happens to have talent of his own.  [>

[>

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