Which non-American actor was paid $13 million to star in the film about Alcatraz, The Rock ?

In the 1996 blockbuster hit about a hostile (Review) takeover of Alcatraz Island, the role of the only inmate to have ever escaped was played by legendary Scottish actor Sean Connery. He portrayed Captain John Patrick Mason, a former British intelligence agent imprisoned for decades. For his co-starring role alongside Nicolas Cage, Connery commanded an impressive salary of $13 million, reflecting his enduring star power and the crucial part he played in the film's dynamic.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, Connery was famously proud of his heritage, which fulfills the "non-American" part of the puzzle. His international fame, established by his iconic turn as the original James Bond, made him one of the most bankable stars in the world, even decades after he first ordered a martini shaken, not stirred. This status allowed him to negotiate such a significant paycheck for the action-packed film.

Connery's contribution to *The Rock* wasn't just limited to his performance. Reportedly unhappy with how his character was written in the initial script, he used his considerable influence to bring in British screenwriters to punch up his dialogue. This resulted in many of Captain Mason's most memorable and witty lines, adding a layer of sharp characterization to the explosive on-screen action and further cementing the role as his own.