007's shaken, not stirred John Allen - actor & lookalike

John Allen as Sean Connery's James Bond 007

John Allen grew up in a Pennsylvania suburb, and as a teenager he had plenty of extra energy.  His teachers suggested that he acquire an outside activity.  Acting is what he chose.

Allen began acting in plays for a local theater. After several years he auditioned for a professional touring company doing summer stock productions.

Allen also worked with Howard Keel of Broadway fame, Gene Wilder movie fame, Arlene Francis in television, in addition to many others.

Allen gave it all up, only to return to it later in life as a celebrity lookalike, to that of Sean Connery's original James Bond 007.

In an interview by Roni Sullivan with Sun Tabloid -

When you're the splitting image of dashing superstar Sean Connery, the world is your oyster.

Just ask John Allen, of Delray Beach Florida, who's making a fine living posing as the ruggedly handsome 007 at private parties and corporate conventions on movie sets and in commercials. It's been a roller-coaster ride for the former owner of a wicker furniture store, whose career in showbiz began late in life.

I didn't look like Sean Connery when I was younger. It wasn't until I was 49 and grew a beard, that is when it happened. Then the work started coming and the phone started to ring. Now I am booked two to three times a month." - as quoted to Roni Sullivan

Allen's "007" & Janet Valentine's "Marilyn"

Allen was discovered while eating dinner at a Boca Raton restaurant.  An agent walked up and said,

I can make you a lot of money."

Allen's response, 

What do you want me to do?"

The agent said he was to beat up some guy and throw him into Donald Trump's swimming pool, pulling off the stunt as the character James Bond.   Allen agreed to do it, and he has continued to work as Sean Connery's Bond, loving every minute of it.

'Indiana's' "Henry Jones"

It has been ten years now since Allen's first 007 "gig."  A bit later in life, after growing a grey beard, is when he really became closer to the look of James Bond, Sean Connery's that is.

When John Allen shows up at a local eatery women swoon. When he's in Las Vegas foreigners mob him for photos and autographs. And why all this attention? This Delray Beach resident is a dead ringer for the well known Scottish actor. Allen has become a leading impersonator of the actor at corporate and private parties, in commercials and even used as Connery's stand-in for major motion pictures. - Sally J. Ling for Sun-Sentinel

I have been flown around the world . Filmed a commercial in Auckland New Zealand for Samsung, [where] they charted a jumbo jet so I could film on it as Sean Connery. I also worked in Puerto Rico, Bahamas' and Canada several times . In the Bahamas I worked alongside Sean Connery as his double for a German Tea commercial. That experience was definitely the highlight of my career. Upon meeting Sean he said,

Hello John, you look wonderful today."

Allen's reply,

Of course I do, I look like you."

Some of the television shows John Allen has appeared on are Jay Leno, Rachael Ray, Oprah, and many documentaries. Recently he was Associate Producer and talent in the film Bamboo Shark.  It was a movie that used over 55 celebrity lookalikes and the Oscar winning actor Mickey Rooney, to be released in 2009.

Awards Allen has won: three Reel Awards - Best Actor, Best Video Performance and Best Media Presentation and three Cloney Awards - Best Impersonation of a Legend,  two years in a row.  Allen also won Best Use of a Celebrity Impersonator for Bamboo Shark.

I have made over 100 appearances as James Bond for major fundraiser and corporate James Bond themed events."   

Go to John Allen's links to view his media interviews, ads, photographs, articles, awards, video clips... representing a decade of "being" Sir Sean Connery, not only as James Bond, but also as other well renowned Connery film characters.      

First Knight's "King Arthur"

Related Links: 

John Allen 007

John Allen Lookalike to Sean Connery's "James Bond"