Connors attended Adelphi Academy, a private school, where he excelled not only in academics but also in sports. His skills in baseball and basketball earned him a scholarship to Seton Hall University, where he honed his athletic abilities. Little did he know that this period in his life would shape his future in unexpected ways.
During World War II, Connors enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a tank-warfare instructor. His time in the military taught him discipline and leadership skills that would prove invaluable in his future career. After the war, Connors pursued a career in professional sports, playing basketball for the Boston Celtics and baseball for teams like the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. Although his sports career was relatively short-lived, it paved the way for his transition into acting.
His athletic background made him a natural fit for physically demanding roles. Connors’ path to Hollywood began when he was spotted by an MGM casting director while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, a minor league baseball team. This chance encounter led to his first film role in the 1952 movie ‘Pat and Mike,’ starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.