If someone asks you what your favorite spy movie is, it’s almost impossible to avoid James Bond coming to mind. With gadgets, guns, girls and thugs, James Bond is the gallant good guy who introduced global audiences to the thrill of on-screen espionage. Bond remains one of the most exemplary and immortal characters to ever exist in modern media. Although James Bond has been around in movies (and literature) for over 70 years, there seems to be no end in sight, with new actors being considered for new iterations of the role every decade or so.
How many James Bond actors are there?
The most iconic cinematic spy of all time, James Bond has been played by multiple actors since his film debut in 1962. There are a total of 7 actors who have played the role of our beloved spy: Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. They have all brought their own unique touch to the character and are all worthy of mention in this article.
1. Sean Connery – 1962 – 1967, 1971, 1983
Films: Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, Never Say Never Again (non-EON production)
Best known for his role as James Bond (despite having almost 100 acting credits on IMDB), Connery is easily the best and most favored to ever play the skilled and sexy spy. Although Connery largely earned the title, being the first to put on these metaphorically giant shoes must have felt more like dress shoes custom-made for him. Starring in what are, to this day, some of the best Bond films of all time (Goldfinger, Dr. No), the story of his success after these films is no mystery to unravel.
2. David Niven – 1967
Films: Casino Royale (non-EON production)
A truly unique performance comes from the comic prowess of David Niven – an unfortunately largely forgotten role for a top British actor. As the only parody film on this list, Niven stands out for its uniqueness, but falls short due to the absolutely polarizing tone of this unique film. While this film gained a cult following over the years despite its critical reception, it is quickly forgotten in the crowd by Bond fans.
3. George Lazenby – 1969
Films: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
The only actor to play Bond only once (in a serious role, of course) is George Lazenby: an unfairly hated replacement for Sean Connery at the time. While his performance was among the lowest ratings of all 7 iterations, the immediate hate he received even before the film’s release ensured his destiny as a unique James Bond. More than 50 years after its release, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has been hailed by the public as a greater gem than originally perceived. Some even say it’s essentially one of the best Bond films, but give poor George little credit.
4. Roger Moore – 1973 – 1985
Films: Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill
Holding the record for most Bond films starring in him, Roger Moore steps in for an impressive 12-year, 7-film run as James Bond. Although the quality of the films he starred in varies greatly, Moore became a much easier pill for audiences and fans to swallow. Bringing a cheekier, goofier quality to the character, Roger Moore’s average Bond film is noticeably cheesier than Sean Connery’s predecessors, but ultimately ticks all the boxes a Bond film should have.
5. Timothy Dalton – 1987 – 1989
Films: The Living Daylights, Licencia para matar
One of the most underrated actors to play Bond is Timothy Dalton: Mr. Eyebrows himself. While he ultimately underestimated audiences, resulting in his miserable two-film run, Dalton brought a quality of darkness to the character that would change the tone of Bond films forever. As usual, the focus is always on the actor playing the character rather than the film itself, which is why these two arguably underrated Bond films have been largely overlooked, probably also because License to Kill. It has been a fairly popular movie title ever since.
6. Pierce Brosnan – 1995 – 2002
Films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day
Commonly known as the second best (to some, the best) actor to play Bond, Pierce Brosnan, with his dashing looks and undeniable charm, was accepted almost immediately by viewers and critics alike. With the help of Bond’s nearly perfected movie formula, Pierce combined all the best things from past iterations and made them his own. Although the films are a bit over the top at times, the portrayal of all the elements of the Bond film can be seen through a whole new lens that makes them truly unique.
7. Daniel Craig – 2006 – 2021
Films: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, No Time to Die
Another actor who was severely criticized even before the release of his first Bond film, Daniel Craig, has since forged his own very special run of Bond films that are now seen as a grand reimagining of what Bond films can be. Bond. As the first series of Bond films to follow a clear chronological order and continuation of events, Craig had the rare opportunity to develop this character in a dark, bitter and lonely narrative with a momentous conclusion. These films also broke the fourth wall a bit by cementing into canon the concept that 007 is just a number: when he leaves, someone else comes to take his place as 007.
Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-born IGN culture writer. Intrigued from a young age by pop culture and movies, he has become an experienced critic and consumer of all things media. Since earning a bachelor’s degree in digital communications at Oregon State University, he has found a love for writing and appreciating specific actors and directors in the many films he watches.
2023-10-09 19:01:59
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