You know those moments online where you do a double scroll just to make sure your eyes aren’t tricking you?
That’s exactly what happened when a side-by-side photo of Love Actually star Thomas Brodie-Sangster and the late James Bond legend Sir Sean Connery blew up on Facebook — all because they were both the same age in the pictures.
Yep, both were 34 when those photos were taken, but you’d never guess it by looking.
The internet had some thoughts. And let’s just say, the difference in vibes between the two actors was not subtle.
From Childhood Stardom to Adult Shock Factor
Thomas Brodie-Sangster became a household name at just 13 when he played the adorably love-struck Sam in Love Actually.
Since then, he’s taken on major roles in The Maze Runner, Game of Thrones, and Nanny McPhee.
Now 35, Thomas still looks like he could pass for a high schooler — and that’s not just fans exaggerating.
Born in London on May 16, 1990, Thomas has kept a low-key lifestyle despite his long-standing career.
He now lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, actress Talulah Riley — who also happens to be Elon Musk’s ex.
The Internet Reacts: “How Is He 34?!”
It was UNILAD who first posted the viral image comparing Thomas to Sean Connery — both age 34 in their respective snapshots. Their caption said it all:
“On the left: the timeless swagger of a mid-century icon.
On the right: a modern-day star who’s somehow looked 17 for the last 20 years.”
The comment section exploded. People joked that Thomas is a living Benjamin Button and praised his youthful glow.
One fan even asked what skincare routine he uses.
Others blamed lifestyle differences — “Sean Connery smoked, drank heavily and lived hard,” one person pointed out. “The Nanny McPhee lad did not.”
Another chimed in:
“This is how I saw 30-somethings in my 20s… versus how I see them now in my 40s.”
Connery’s Rugged Legacy vs. Sangster’s Timeless Face
Sir Sean Connery, born in 1930 in Edinburgh, had already lived several lives before Hollywood came calling.
He started out as a milkman and served in the Royal Navy before turning to acting.
His breakout came in the late ’50s, and by 1962, he was the very first James Bond — a role that launched him into global stardom.
Connery was known for his gruff charm and candid interviews.
In a 1971 interview, he famously admitted:
“When I drink, I drink too much. I gave up smoking three years ago… pot made me feel like I was just smoking cigarettes.”
He passed away in 2020 at the age of 90, having lived a very full — and very public — life.
Thomas on Growing Up in the Spotlight
Even though he still gets stopped in the street for Nanny McPhee and Love Actually, Thomas has admitted it feels weird.
In a 2024 interview with The Telegraph, he said:
“It does make you feel a little old, but it’s nice.
It’s an honour, really, to be in movies that have stood the test of time.”
He also added that big dudes will often tell him how much they loved those films growing up. It’s wholesome and surreal at the same time.
And when people comment on his seemingly ageless appearance? Thomas just laughs it off. He hears it all the time.
Same Age, Different Eras, Wild Contrast
If there’s one thing this viral moment has shown us, it’s how drastically perceptions of age have shifted.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster at 34 looks like he could still star in a teen drama.
Sean Connery at 34 was already the definition of rugged masculinity, suit and cigarette in hand.
Maybe it’s lifestyle. Maybe it’s skincare. Or maybe, as one commenter joked, it’s just “different centuries, different settings, same age — wild.”