James Bond Actors

Most actors would jump at the chance to play the most famous spy in the world, Agent 007. James Bond actors are forever associated with the role even if they only play him a few times. Audiences may argue about who is the best Bond but the franchise goes from strength to strength. In 1962, there was great excitement as Ian Fleming's hero came to life in the form of Scottish actor Sean Connery in Dr No. The film was set in Jamaica and contains the famous scene of Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean.

Connery quickly became a sex symbol; men wanted to be him and women wanted to be with him. His next outing as a James Bond actor was in From Russia with Love, also starring Lotte Lenya and Robert Shaw. Connery and Shaw have an exciting fight on a train to give the film one of its memorable scenes. Connery went on to make Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds are Forever before quitting although he did reprise the role for one film only in 1983 when he starred in Never Say Never Again.

George Lazenby only made the one Bond movie, despite the fact that it was a huge career breakthrough for him, having come from a background in modeling and TV commercials. His one stint as an actor in a James Bond was in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The next incumbent for the part was English actor, Roger Moore. Moore was well known to British television audiences as The Saint. He brought a more light hearted interpretation as a James Bond actor and the action was punctuated by his one-liners. Live and Let Die was his first Bond, followed by The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, and A View To a Kill. The hunt for another actor was on again.

Shakespearian trained actor Timothy Dalton stepped up to the plate. His was a rather more serious performance than Moore's and the films went back to more realism. His two contributions were The Living Daylights and License to Kill.

There was much debate as to who should be next. Pierce Brosnan was chosen and he was delighted, having wanted the part for a long time. He was a popular choice with the public and made GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.

Once again, there was a vacancy and anticipation grew. Everyone had an opinion as to who should be next in the long line of James Bond actors. Daniel Craig was eventually revealed. He was a respected actor with performances in Road to Perdition, Layer Cake, Munich and Sylvia to his name. There was some surprise however, as this was the first blonde Bond! Any critics were won over when Casino Royale came out in 2006. Craig handled the action scenes well and won a legion of female fans. It was a gritty film and the latest Bond release; Quantum of Solace is doing good business at the box office.

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