Roger Moore
Born 14th October 1927 The longest serving actor in the role to
date – and a record which is unlikely to be equalled?
Born in Stockwell, South London, in 1927, the son of a policeman.
He first wanted to be an artist, but got into films full time after
becoming an extra in the late forties. Moore also served in the
British Military During the Second World War. He went to America
in 1953. Suave, extremely handsome, and an excellent actor, he got
a contract with MGM . His initial foray met with mixed success,
with movies like Diane (1956) and Interrupted Melody (1955), as
well as Last Time I Saw Paris, The (1954).
Although Roger Moore’s name was mentioned in the original
Bond casting search, his commitment to the TV series The Saint precluded
him from being seriously considered for the role. But he did eventually
take over from Sean Connery in 1973. Moore brought a new lightweight
attitude to the role of 007, although older than Connery, he brought
a youthful charm to the part.
He had established a reputation in TV series like Maverick, Ivanhoe,
The Saint, and The Persuaders for combining action and light comedy.
His Bond, which really came into its own with The Spy Who Loved
Me, was more relaxed and lighter in tone than Connery’s, and
he brought a tongue-in-cheek humour to the series which gave the
films a different dimension as he developed with the series.
Moore also continued to work outside the Bond series, appearing
in such action thrillers as The Wild Geese, The Sea Wolves, and
North Sea Hijack.
He now travels worldwide as an ambassador for UNICEF and received
a CBE (Commander of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire)
for his services to charity in March 1999.
Roger Moore starred as James Bond a total of 7 times in
Live And Let Die (1973)
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Moonraker (1979)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Octopussy (1983)
A View To A Kill (1985)
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