Michael Caine Slams Sean Connery Alzheimer’s Report
Michael Caine has slammed a German newspaper report claiming that Sean Connery is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Bild am Sonntag (Picture on Sunday) quoted Caine as saying, “One must have serious concerns for him.” The paper also claimed that Connery’s wife, Micheline Roquebrune, was always afraid to pick up the phone when he was in New York in case of bad news. Bild also said Connery’s memory loss was “noticeable” and that only a few close friends, like Caine, had access to him.
The paper, headlined “Connery forgets his life,” was Europe’s biggest selling Sunday newspaper.
The 83-year-old James Bond actor’s publicist denied the paper’s claim. Los Angeles-based Nancy Seltzer suggested Caine may have been misquoted, and called the story “silly and nonsense.” In 2011, Seltzer confirmed that Connery had retired from public appearances, but said he was “mentally and physically” in good health.
Caine has also denied Bild am Sonntag’s report, saying he doesn’t know where the paper got its information.
“It’s completely preposterous, bulls**t. This stuff about Alzheimer’s is just nonsense,” he told the Daily Record.
“I did some interviews over in Germany for a new film and I can only assume someone has twisted my words or got the wrong end of the stick,” Caine said.
“I haven’t seen Sean for a couple of years, but my wife and I spoke to him on the phone on his birthday this week and he was very well,” the 80-year old veteran actor added. “He was fine, in complete control of his senses and his usual self. I have no idea where they are getting it from.”
Michael Caine said Sean Connery, with whom he’s been friends for almost 40 years, was “ill a year or so ago,” but that he is better now. He said his illness had nothing to do with his mental state. Caine said he would like to see Connery again, but he rarely leaves his home in the Bahamas. Connery’s last public appearance was on September 11, 2012 at the US Open, where he supported fellow Scotsman Andy Murray.
