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Overview (3) |
Mini Bio (2) |
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Trivia (107) |
Personal Quotes (71) |
Salary (10)
Overview (3)
| Date of Birth | 14 October 1927, Stockwell, London, England, UK |
| Birth Name | Roger George Moore |
| Height | 6' 1½" (1.87 m) |
Mini Bio (2)
Roger Moore will perhaps always be remembered as the man who replaced Sean Connery in the James Bond series, arguably something he never lived down. Roger George Moore was born on October 14, 1927 in Stockwell, London, England, the son of Lillian (Pope) and George Alfred Moore, a policeman. He first wanted to be an artist, but got into films full time after becoming an extra in the late 1940s. Moore also served in the British military during the Second World War. He came 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 The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954).
Moore went into television in the 1950s in shows like Ivanhoe (1958) and The Alaskans (1959), but probably got the most recognition from Maverick (1957), as cousin Beau. In 1962, he got his big breakthrough, at least internationally, as The Saint (1962). The show made him a superstar and he became very successful thereafter. Moore ended his run as the Saint, and was one of the premier stars of the world, but he was not catching on in America. In an effort to change this, he agreed to star with Tony Curtis in ITC's The Persuaders! (1971), but although hugely popular in Europe, it did not catch on in the United States and was canceled. Just prior to making the series, he starred in the dark The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970), which proved there was far more to Moore than the light-hearted roles he had previously accepted.
Next, he was offered and accepted the role of James Bond, and once audiences got used to the change of style from Connery's portrayal, they also accepted him. Live and Let Die (1973), his first Bond movie, grossed more outside of America than Diamonds Are Forever (1971); Connery's last outing as James Bond. He went on to star in another six Bond films, before bowing out after A View to a Kill (1985) in 1985. He was 57 at the time the film was made and was looking a little too old for Bond - it was possibly one film too many. In between times, there had been more success with appearances in films such as That Lucky Touch (1975), Shout at the Devil (1976), The Wild Geese (1978), Escape to Athena (1979) and Ffolkes (1979).
Despite his fame from the Bond films and many others, the United States never completely took to him until he starred in The Cannonball Run (1981) alongside Burt Reynolds, a big hit there. After relinquishing his role as Bond, his work load tended to diminish a little, though he did star in the American box office flop Feuer, Eis und Dynamit (1990), as well as the comedy Bullseye! (1990), with Michael Caine. He did the overlooked comedy Bed & Breakfast (1991), as well as the television movie The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1994), and then the major Jean-Claude Van Damme flop The Quest (1996). Moore then took second rate roles such as Spice World (1997), and the American television series The Dream Team (1999). Although his film work may have slowed down, he is still very much in the public eye, be it appearing on television chat shows or hosting documentaries.
Roger Moore was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 31 December 1998 in the New Year Honours list for services to UNICEF and on 14 June 2003, in the Queen's Birthdays honors, was promoted to Knight Commander of the same order his services to the charities UNICEF and Kiwanis International.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Scott - msa0510@mail.ecu.edu
Because of his commitment to several television shows, in particular the long-lasting series The Saint, Roger Moore was unavailable for the James Bond franchise for a considerable time. His participation in The Saint was not only as actor, but also as a producer and director, and he also became involved in developing the series The Persuaders!. Although, in 1964, he made a guest appearance as James Bond in the comedy series Mainly Millicent, Moore stated in his autobiography My Word Is My Bond (2008) that he had neither been approached to play the character in Dr. No, nor does he feel that he had ever been considered. It was only after Sean Connery had declared in 1966 that he would not play Bond any longer that Moore became aware that he might be a contender for the role. However, after George Lazenby was cast in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Connery played Bond again in Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Moore did not consider the possibility until it seemed abundantly clear that Connery had in fact stepped down as Bond for good. At that point Moore was approached, and he accepted producer Albert Broccoli's offer in August 1972. In his autobiography Moore writes that he had to cut his hair and lose weight for the role. Although he resented having to make those changes, he was finally cast as James Bond in Live and Let Die (1973).
Moore played Bond 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); and A View to a Kill (1985).
Moore is the longest-serving James Bond actor, having spent 12 years in the role (from his debut in 1973, to his retirement from the role in 1985), having made seven official films in a row. Moore is the oldest actor to have played Bond - he was 45 in Live and Let Die (1973), and 58 when he announced his retirement on 3 December 1985.
Moore's Bond was very different from the version created by Ian Fleming. Screenwriters like George MacDonald Fraser provided scenarios in which Moore was cast as a seasoned, debonair playboy who would always have a trick or gadget in stock when he needed it. This was designed to serve the contemporary taste of the 1970s. Moore's version of Bond was also known for his sense of humor and witty one liners, but also a skilled detective with a cunning mind.
In 2004, Moore was voted 'Best Bond' in an Academy Awards poll, and he won with 62% of votes in another poll in 2008. In 1987 he hosted Happy Anniversary 007: 25 Years of James Bond.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Pedro Borges
Spouse (4)
| Christina 'Kiki' Tholstrup | (10 March 2002 - present) |
| Luisa Mattioli | (11 April 1969 - 29 April 1996) (divorced) (3 children) |
| Dorothy Squires | (6 July 1953 - 25 November 1968) (divorced) |
| Doorn Van Steyn | (9 December 1946 - 1 March 1953) (divorced) |
Trade Mark (6)
Self-deprecating wit
Charming debonair persona
Habitually raising his eyebrows
Refined English accent
Deep smooth voice
Tinted gold-rimmed spectacles (worn in later years)
Trivia (107)
During the early stages of his career, Roger collected towels from the hotels he stayed in. However, he stopped when a British newspaper printed a story entitled "Roger Moore is a towel thief". He revealed on So Graham Norton (1998) that he still has the collection in his Swiss home.
He succeeded Audrey Hepburn as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.
He was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on December 31, 1998 in the New Year Honours list for services to UNICEF and on June 14, 2003, in the Queen's Birthdays honours, was promoted to Knight Commander of the same order his services to the charities UNICEF and Kiwanis International.
Was scheduled to make his musical theatre debut as Sir George in "Aspects of Love" in 1990. He left the production days before his escape clause expired due to his own concerns over his singing ability. He was replaced by Kevin Colson.
Received an International Humanitarian Award from the London Variety Club for his charity work. [May 2000]
His father, George Alfred Moore, was a policeman.
Whilst doing National Service, Moore served with Military Intelligence.
In just a few days after he had arrived in the United States in 1952, he appeared in the television play World by the Tail (1953).
Good friends with Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies. They first met in mid 1940s at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where they were in the same class in 1944.
On January 13, 2001, Roger and his then companion, Christina 'Kiki' Tholstrup, escaped injury when another vehicle collided with the actor's car. Airbags were attributed to preventing injury. They married the next year.
In 1990, he participated as a guest host in "33 Zecchino d'Oro".
Received an honorary degree from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (1999).
His contract for the 007 films provided him with an unlimited supply of Montecristo cigars during filming. The bill for this typically ran to thousands of pounds.
Resides in Switzerland and Monte Carlo with his wife Christina 'Kiki' Tholstrup (2002).
In 1954, he was offered contracts with the Royal Shakespeare Company or MGM. Noël Coward advised him to go for the money.
Despite playing James Bond in seven Bond films, he never ordered a vodka martini shaken not stirred.
He was the oldest person to debut as James Bond. He was age 45 when Live and Let Die (1973) was filmed.
On May 21, 1964, he was Air France's 8,000,000th passenger.
On May 7, 2003, he collapsed during a matinee performance of the Broadway comedy "The Play What I Wrote", but finished the show after a 10-minute break. Roger was playing the role of the mystery guest star, which the cameo role is filled by celebrities, when he fainted toward the end of the second act. He was taken to the hospital after the show. The next day, he was fitted with a pacemaker - something he had been previously told he would eventually have to get.
Ironically for his first Razzie nomination (Worst Supporting Actor in Spice World (1997)), he went head to head with another former Bond, Sean Connery in The Avengers (1998), also receiving his first Razzie nomination. However, neither man won.
He was older than any other actor to play James Bond when he portrayed him age 57 in A View to a Kill (1985). Sean Connery was age 52 when he last played Bond in Never Say Never Again (1983).
A close friend of the Danish Royal Family, especially the Grevinde Alexandra, attended the Christening of Princess Alexandra and Prins Joachim's youngest son, Felix. Attended the wedding of the Danish Kronprins Frederik and Kronprinsesse Mary on May 14, 2004.
He was born in the same Labour Ward in London as the actor Brian Weske, five years previously.
Underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 1993.
Speaks Italian perfectly, former wife Luisa Mattioli is an Italian citizen.
Was cast in two roles that were originally offered to Patrick McGoohan: Simon Templar in The Saint (1962) and James Bond in Live and Let Die (1973).
Often spends summers in Hornbæk, Denmark, where his wife Christina 'Kiki' Tholstrup has a summer house.
Detests doing scenes that involve him shooting firearms - which caused him to ruin countless 007 takes.
Quit smoking cigarettes in 1971 following a stern lecture from Tony Curtis on the set of The Persuaders! (1971).
Both he and his daughter, Deborah Moore, have acted in the James Bond franchise. She played the air hostess in Die Another Day (2002).
Officially announced his retirement from playing James Bond on December 3, 1985, as it was agreed by all involved in the franchise that Moore had got too old for the role by that point. Moore himself was quoted as saying that he felt embarrassed to be seen performing love scenes with beautiful actresses who were young enough to be his daughters.
Took part in a special celebrity edition of Blind Date on The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live (2006). He and actor Richard E. Grant lost to The X Factor (2004)'s Chico Slimani, who got to date Dame Edna Everage (aka Barry Humphries).
Publicly supported the Conservative Party in the 2001 General Election.
Chose a Swedish conference on child abuse to announce to the world that he too was a victim. He said he was molested as a child, but not seriously. He waited until he was age 16 to tell his mother because he said he was "ashamed".
Rides in or drives a motor-powered boat in every James Bond movie he has appeared in.
Has played James Bond in seven movies of the official EON series, the most of any actor to date (Sean Connery also played Bond in seven films, but one of them, Never Say Never Again (1983), was unofficial).
He never drove the most famous of all James Bond cars in a Bond film i.e. a 1964 silver birch Aston Martin DB5 or any other Aston Martin model. The DB5 was made famous by the Sean Connery James Bond movies Goldfinger (1964) and then Thunderball (1965) with later models appearing in some subsequent Bond pictures. However, Moore, who played James Bond seven times, has only ever been seen on screen with this make once and that was in The Cannonball Run (1981) where he self-parodies his James Bond persona. In this movie, the DB5's license plate number was 6633PP.
Following the suggestion that fugitive train robber Ronald Biggs make a cameo appearance in the Brazil episode of Moonraker (1979), he replied in rather colorful terms that he did not want the escaped prisoner anywhere near the film, as his own father had been a London Policeman.
All the scenes in which showed Moore running in his seven Bond movies were performed by doubles, since the actor felt he looked awkward running.
When presenting the Best Actor Oscar awards at the The 45th Annual Academy Awards (1973), Moore ended up taking home the Oscar accidentally. The winner of the award, Marlon Brando, refused the award, and Sacheen Littlefeather, who Brando sent to make a speech to refuse the Oscar, also publicly refused to take the statuette from Moore.
Nearly died from double pneumonia when he was five.
Underwent three operations to remove kidney stones in his thirties.
Has named The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) as his favorite Bond movie of the seven he starred in, and A View to a Kill (1985) as his least favorite.
Attended the funeral of Sir John Mills in Denham, Buckinghamshire on April 27, 2005.
He was close friends and neighbours with the late Sir Peter Ustinov.
Quit smoking cigars after undergoing major surgery for prostate cancer when he was age 65.
Ironically, for an actor who has played a weapons-wielding James Bond in no fewer than seven movies, Moore suffers from hoplophobia (fear of firearms).
Intended For Your Eyes Only (1981) to be his final Bond movie, since he was nearly age 54.
Although Moore claimed to have quit smoking cigarettes while filming The Persuaders! (1971), a filmed interview from on the set of For Your Eyes Only (1981) shows him smoking a cigarette.
Future EastEnders (1985) star Mike Reid worked as his underwater stunt double in The Saint (1962), but was fired after making fun of Moore's thinning hair.
Hates being wet when acting. In Moonraker (1979), he had to do a whole scene wet, in the "Mayan pyramid".
Although critics often accused him of not looking tough enough to play superspy James Bond, he once beat up legendary American hellraiser Lee Marvin while they were filming Shout at the Devil (1976). Marvin recalled, "The guy is built like granite. Nobody will ever underestimate him again.".
Used to own a house in Eaton Square in London, but was only allowed to spend a maximum of ninety days a year there for tax reasons.
While filming the interrogation scene opposite Richard Burton and Richard Harris in The Wild Geese (1978), Moore made the unheard of request to have a cut in his lines. After another take he suggested all his lines should be cut. When the director Andrew V. McLaglen asked him why, he replied, "Do you seriously think I want to act against these guys? I'll just sit here and puff on my cigar.".
The Living Daylights (1987) was originally written for him, but the script was changed slightly to suit Timothy Dalton after Moore announced his retirement from the role.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 11, 2007 (three days before his 80th birthday).
In March 1996, when his former wife Dorothy Squires underwent surgery for bladder cancer at the BUPA Hospital in Cardiff, he picked up the £6,000 bill. He did not attend her funeral two years later, but instead sent a bouquet of purple tulips, lilies of the valley and orange flowers with a card saying: "I've said it with flowers. Roger.".
Prior to the release of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moore filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife Dorothy Squires to prevent her from publishing a book about their life together. She would eventually be declared bankrupt in 1986.
In 1964, eight years before he took over the movie role, Moore played James Bond in a hilarious sketch on the BBC comedy show, Mainly Millicent: Episode dated 17 July 1964 (1964). In the sketch, Bond is on holiday at a resort, when he encounters a female Russian spy (played by Millicent Martin, the star of the show), who is also on holiday. Bond and the female spy spend the sketch trying to do each other in. The sketch is included in the "Live and Let Die" Ultimate Edition DVD.
While a struggling young actor in the early 1950s, he briefly worked as a truck driver. Many years later, he impressed the crew on the set of A View to a Kill (1985) with his truck driving skills.
He had intended to act in A Bridge Too Far (1977), but was forced to pull out after production on The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) was delayed by a year.
He has always been very honest about the fact that he did not perform any of his own stunts as Bond, unlike Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig.
His least favourite of his films is The Quest (1996).
He was a close friend and admirer of the right-wing writer William F. Buckley.
Confessed in a television interview that when he first traveled to the United States in the 1950s, he landed a supporting role in the Broadway production of "A Pin to See the Peepshow", a show that both began and ended on the same day (September 17, 1953).
Has said he would like to play a villain in a Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, but accepts that can never happen.
His popularity as Bond led to him starring in several movies during the 1970s and early 1980s. However, although some were financially successful, most received poor reviews.
Confirmed in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph magazine that he's completely retired from acting. [April 2009]
In 1954, he signed a seven year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. However, he was released from this contract after only two years following the massive critical and commercial failure of Diane (1956).
Makes no secret of the fact that he loves the old basic British snack of baked beans on toast.
Has appeared in episodes of three different series with Patrick Troughton: Ivanhoe (1958), The Saint (1962) and The Persuaders! (1971).
Denies being approached for the role of James Bond from the very beginning.
Never had to audition for the role of Simon Templar on The Saint (1962).
Roger Moore's fear of firearms stems from a childhood incident when his brother shot him in the leg with an air rifle by accident when he was age 14.
Moved the family to Geneva when he refused to pay inflated British taxes. Curd Jürgens, who played the Bond villain Stromberg in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) had become a good friend of his and loaned Moore his chalet until the family found a new home.
Moore and his agent accepted each Bond movie on a film to film basis, instead of signing on for several.
He was awarded Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by French culture minister Christine Albanel in 2008.
When Moore had to take Marlon Brando's Oscar home with him, people outside the ceremony thought Moore had won instead. The Academy sent cars around to his house the next morning to retrieve it.
Admits to being a hypochondriac and suffers from vertigo.
By 1985, Moore owned three different houses.
Remained close friends with Albert R. Broccoli right up until Broccoli's death.
In 1986, Moore was named the New York Friars Club's Man of the Year.
Made a captain in the police by the captain of the Maine state police force. He retains the power to arrest.
Owes much of his success to Lew Grade.
He and his wife Christina 'Kiki' Tholstrup love the theatre.
Has a pacemaker just like his father.
His stepdaughter's boyfriend Janus Friis invented Skype.
A huge fan of Rudyard Kipling, Moore was invited to the Nobel Museum in 2007 and gave a 90 minute lecture on Kipling.
He had his first child Deborah Moore at age 36.
In 2005, Germany awarded Moore the Federal Cross of Merit.
He was the final guest ever on The Muppet Show (1976).
Lived with Luisa Mattoili from 1961 before marrying her in 1968 during which time they had the first two of their three children.
Moore was conscripted into National Service after World War II and did not serve during the war. He eventually became a Captain.
He was the only actor to have played both James Bond and Sherlock Holmes.
Mentioned in the song "You Know I'm No Good" by Amy Winehouse.
Divides his time between his homes in Monaco (summer) and Switzerland (winter) (2010).
Visited Iceland for a UNICEF program to help educate children in Africa. [November 2005]
Received an honorary degree (Doctor of Laws) from the University of Hertfordshire on November 21, 2012.
He has a number of favourites from his own era in the James Bond franchise. His favourite gadget is the magnetic watch from Live and Let Die (1973). His favourite villain is Christopher Lee's Francisco Scaramanga from The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). His favourite girl is Barbara Bach's Anya Amasova from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). His favourite henchman was Richard Kiel's Jaws from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979). He has stated more or less that anything from A View to a Kill (1985) is his least favourite.
He was offered the role of Lieutenant General Brian Horrocks in A Bridge Too Far (1977) but he was forced to decline due to a scheduling conflict with The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He became available when the shooting of the Bond film was delayed. However, Horrocks had approval over the casting and turned Moore down. The role instead went to Edward Fox. Coincidentally, Moore's Bond predecessor Sean Connery played Major General R.E. Urquhart in A Bridge Too Far (1977).
In an episode of The Persuaders! (1971), a stolen briefcase is opened to find the contents of the original case have been substituted with 10 James Bond novels. Three of the visible titles are Bond movies that Roger Moore would later portray the famous spy. Live and Let Die (1973), For Your Eyes Only (1981) Octopussy (1983).
Personal Quotes (71)
(1998) Over the last year I've rather enjoyed making documentaries for a company called Associated Television, run by a man called David Mackenzie. And we shot a couple in Russia, one in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg... they are called "The KGB Files".
To me, the Bond situations are so ridiculous, so outrageous. I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy and yet, everybody knows he's a spy. Every bartender in the world offers him martinis that are shaken, not stirred. What kind of serious spy is recognized everywhere he goes? It's outrageous. So you have to treat the humor outrageously as well. My personality is entirely different than previous Bonds. I'm not that cold-blooded killer type. Which is why I play it mostly for laughs.
I must tell you the truth - I have not seen them, and for a very good reason. Knowing that I would get asked questions like that, I'm always desperately honest. If I didn't like the performance, I don't know how I would answer. I do know Timothy, and he is a very, very pleasant chap and a good actor. - When asked for his opinion about the James Bond movies featuring his successor Timothy Dalton
[his explanation for his comical approach to James Bond] I don't believe in Bond as a hero. It's a load of nonsense. How can you be a spy when any bar you walk into, the bartender says, "Ah, Mr Bond. Shaken, not stirred?".
[on his son who owns the London restaurant "Hush"] You could say he has a "License to Grill".
Both Sean and I will be forgotten after everybody sees Pierce. After seeing Pierce Brosnan playing James Bond on the set of the film GoldenEye (1995)
My personality is entirely different than his. I can't play the cold-blooded killer that Sean can do so well, which is why I play it for laughs. - Comparing his portrayal of James Bond with Sean Connery's
Today I am completely opposed to small arms and what they can do to children. I played every role tongue-in-cheek because I don't really believe in that sort of hero. I don't like guns.
I'm delighted to hear that Daniel Craig has been appointed the new 007. It's a very exciting time and I would like to wish everyone at Eon much success, and welcome Daniel to the family.
You're not a star till they can spell your name in Vladivostok.
A lot of actors didn't make their start until in their prime - I remember Buster Merryfield - who played Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Horses.... (1981) - saying that it wasn't until he retired as a bank clerk that he got involved with amateur dramatics, and then acting on television.
A lot of my reading over the next few months will be the works of Hans Christian Andersen - I have been appointed an ambassador for the bicentenary celebrations of his birth next year.
Bond was escapism, but not meant to be imitated in real life.
But if asked which of my co-stars had the biggest effect and impact on me, I say - without hesitation - Eleanor Parker.
I was pretty - so pretty that actresses didn't want to work with me.
My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised.
If I kept all my bad notices, I'd need two houses.
I've never received a nomination for an Academy Award - and that after I went to the trouble of learning two more facial expressions.
[on saving Elstree Studios]: Hertsmere Council extended it a lifeline when it needed it most, and invested heavily. Now that they are seeking to pass on the ownership, I hope that an equally passionate and caring owner can be found; and help take the studio into one of the most exciting periods of film and new media production.
[Comparing his interpretation of "James Bond" to Sean Connery's] Sean's jokes come from left field and I let people know a joke was coming. I basically said "I'm have a good time doing this, and I hope you're having a good time watching me have a good time.".
[on For Your Eyes Only (1981)] I was starting to feel I was a bit long in the tooth even then.
Of course, I do my own stunts. And I also do my own lying.
I suppose I was just window-dressing at MGM. You might call me Taylor's dummy. I wore Walter Plunkett's costumes beautifully though. I was the last of the Englishmen, after Edmund Purdom and Stewart Granger, both of whom had been giving them trouble in Hollywood. I very quickly learned that I had to be highly humble and obsequious and grovel a lot.
[on finally deciding to leave the role of James Bond after seven 007 movies] I think it was the interminable farewell tour of the variety artists, you know? You can't keep on saying that you're not doing any more and then doing another one. So I just had to say that was it. I had done enough. I mean, for the last three I was getting a little restless. But I had an absolute splendid time doing the Bond films. I played a lot of backgammon, managed to steal a lot of wardrobe, and got well paid. Nothing could beat it! (Interview with author David Giammarco, "For Your Eyes Only: Behind the Scenes of the James Bond Films")
[on A View to a Kill (1985)] I was horrified on the last Bond I did. Whole slews of sequences where Christopher Walken was machine-gunning hundreds of people. I said "That wasn't Bond, those weren't Bond films." It stopped being what they were all about. You didn't dwell on the blood and the brains spewing all over the place.
Sadly, I had to retire from the Bond films. The girls were getting younger, or I was just getting too old.
I have no idea. I had never met Ian Fleming, but I remember when the search for Bond was going on. I really wasn't aware of Bond until then. I was doing The Saint (1962) and The Daily Express was conducting a search for Bond. However, since I was involved with The Saint (1962) I would not have been available, although Cubby told me later that I had been on 'the short list.' (when asked if Ian Fleming had originally considered him for the role of James Bond)
It used to take them hours and hours in make-up to give me character. Now I've got the character, they take it all out.
I like Bond. But it's silly to take it seriously. It's just a great big comic strip.
[on A View to a Kill (1985)] I was only about four hundred years too old for the part.
People don't realize how physically demanding the role is. I'm still amazed how many people ask me to this day if I did my own stunts. I tell them if I did or Sean did or Pierce did then we would have been physically dead by the end of the first reel of every film!
Sean and I never discussed our experiences... not even with the leading ladies! Actors don't really sit around discussing the parts they've played -- just in case someone says, "That was crap!".
I have seen Daniel Craig in a number of films. He is a thundering good actor. The movie Casino Royale (2006) showed me that he is one hell of an athlete.
I am disappointed by what is happening today in television. We seem to have gone into an age of cruelty where everything is put down. Even I notice dear Cilla Black has got a new format. Now they have 'ditch' - a poor girl comes up and if you don't like her face, get rid of her. I think it's absolutely terrible. It's appalling. It's humiliating.
I've not planned my funeral. I'm not the Queen. A procession through the streets of Stockwell would be nice, I suppose. But when I go, I'd just like everyone to say: "He lived longer than anyone I knew.".
The wonderful thing about age is that your knees don't work as well, you can't run down steps quite as easily and obviously you can't lift heavy weights. But your mind doesn't feel any different. I read the obituary columns and I think "Oh goodness, he was only 93!".
As a child, I had mumps and the measles. Chickenpox. Tonsils out. I didn't learn the alphabet until I was 11. I was circumcised at eight. Much better than having it done later, like my old friend in the army, Captain Hornby of the Royal Artillery. Afterwards I said to Matron, "You can't call Hornby 'old cock' anymore!".
I'm the worst Bond, according to the Internet. Generally hated! I was too funny, too light. Didn't take it seriously enough. Well, I mean, this is a man who is supposed to be a spy. And yet he turns up in bars and hotels around the world, and everyone says, "Ah, Mr. Bond, we've been expecting you." Everybody knows who he is and what he wants to drink. It's the same with the Bond girls. All the new ones say, "Oh, I'm going to be different from the others", but before long it's always the same - "Oh, James!".
[on Quantum of Solace (2008)] I am happy to have done it, but I'm sad that it has turned so violent. That's keeping up with the times, it's what cinema-goers seem to want and it's proved by the box-office figures.
Of course, I was getting long in the tooth. I was 58 when I finished. My god, Gary Cooper was seemingly an old man when he was about 56 doing Love in the Afternoon (1957) with Audrey Hepburn. And I started to realize. When the leading ladies came in and they were younger than my daughter, I thought "Hmm, this is getting on a bit." And then... God, I could have had them as granddaughters. It becomes rather disgusting - dirty old man. Well, I still got paid, and had a lot of laughs. I didn't regret any of it. I note that occasionally when I look at the Internet and I've typed in a reference and then suddenly up comes my name again and then I see the blogs where people write that I was too light and I was too old.
I would love to be remembered as one of the greatest Lears or Hamlets. But, as that's not going to happen, I'm quite happy I did Bond.
[on his knighthood] I am so proud to be the recipient of this great honour. I accept this title on behalf of the many thousands of volunteers and workers at Unicef who dedicate their lives to helping the millions of children in need around the world today.
Lew (Lew Grade) was quite simply a gem. When he was at the height of his powers his energy was enormous. He would get off a plane without any jet lag and just go straight to work. His health regime consisted of never having butter and smoking cigars all day long.
I like to play things for humour. Particularly as I was playing a hero because I consider myself to be devoutly unheroic to the extent of being a sheer coward. I think any heroism I have is the fact that I did things physically that I was absolutely petrified of doing.
I was as surprised as everyone else was to be cast as Bond, particularly since I was already forty-five at the time.
[on the death of his friend and The Persuaders! (1971) co-star Tony Curtis] He'll be remembered as a very good actor when people start reflecting on the amount of work he did both in drama and comedy. He certainly was wonderful in Some Like It Hot (1959) and he was quite brilliant in The Boston Strangler (1968) and in the film that he did with Sidney Poitier, The Defiant Ones (1958).
[on why he took the role of James Bond] When I was a young actor at RADA, Noël Coward was in the audience one night. He said to me after the play, "Young man, with your devastating good looks and your disastrous lack of talent, you should take any job ever offered you. In the event that you're offered two jobs simultaneously, take the one that offers the most money." Here I am.
[on leaving the role of James Bond] I left the role when I realized that my female co-stars had mothers who were younger than I was.
[on Quantum of Solace (2008)_] I didn't like the last Bond film, it was like a long, disjointed commercial.
Sean (Sean Connery) is a good actor, it's a pity I can't understand what he's saying.
I'm a Conservative. I always have been. Most young people that were brought up with parents who were in jobs like the police force are Conservative in their thinking. You don't have to be rich, wealthy, high income to be Conservative. I just think that Conservatism is the way to run a country.
I would have been very upset if we had had to take the Queen off our currency. They'd probably have to take her off the stamps and everything. I am British and I'm fiercely independent and I think we should be independent.
I jokingly said once that the reason the banks were in trouble, particularly the Royal Bank of Scotland, was that Sean Connery had drawn out all his money in cash.
I come back to England often enough not to miss it, to see the changes, to find some of the changes good. I paid my taxes at the time that I was earning a decent income, so I've already paid my due.
(Asked what would make him return to the United Kingdom) Being able to afford a house in the country. I would come back like a shot.
I seem to replace everyone.
[what it was like working with Grace Jones on A View to a Kill (1985)] I've always said if you've nothing nice to say about someone, then you should say nothing. So I'll say nothing about Grace Jones.
[after witnessing the poverty in foreign countries] I can never leave the tap running while cleaning my teeth.
If I can use what celebrity I have to open doors for the betterment of children's lives, than my career in movies has produced an added bonus. I have now been working with UNICEF for 19 years and have yet to meet a hard-headed person in the organization.
Food has always been a passion of mine - see the waistline for proof.
I've often been asked what I might like my epitaph to be. Well that's easy. I've no intention of going anywhere so won't need one!
UNICEF is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.
[on being awarded Knighthood for his charity work] I am doubly proud because this is an acknowledgment of UNICEF, an organization I am honored to work for.
I loved Casino Royale (2006) and Daniel Craig. He is a wonderful actor, certainly the best actor to play Bond. I have never been guilty of method acting or even acting if you want to argue a point.
Bond is an enigmatic character. My only real clue to his personality was a line from one of the books, where he said that he didn't particularly enjoy killing people, but he took pride in doing it well. So that was how I played him.
[on George Lazenby] Well, Lazenby had a big disadvantage in that he hadn't been an actor before, but he was a model. He did look good, and that is how he came into the role.
Of course, I do not regret the Bond days. I regret that sadly heroes in general are depicted with guns in their hands, and to tell the truth, I have always hated guns and what they represent.
(on David Cameron) I think he's doing absolutely wonderfully well, despite the opposition from many members of his own party. Traitors, I call them. I mean any hardliner within the Conservative Party who speaks out against their leader. You should support your leader.
I do not have time to sit down and regret anything although sometimes I wish I had been able to see more of my parents while they were alive and have done more for them.
(on the Russian population of Monaco) I'm afraid we're overstuffed with Russians. All the restaurant menus are in Russian now.
(on Die Another Day (2002)) I thought it just went too far - and that's from me, the first Bond in space! Invisible cars and dodgy CGI footage? Please! They gave the public what they wanted, though maybe they too realised there was only so far they could push it before Bond became a caricature of himself, and the funeral directors were called in.
Salary (10)
| The Governess (1949) | GUIN 23 |
| Drawing-Room Detective (1950) | GUIN 15 |
| Live and Let Die (1973) | $1,000,000 |
| The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) | $1,000,000 |
| The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) | $1,000,000 |
| Moonraker (1979) | $4,000,000 |
| The Cannonball Run (1981) | $1,000,000 |
| For Your Eyes Only (1981) | $3,000,000 + 5% of the net US profits ($4,607,500 total salary) |
| Octopussy (1983) | $4,000,000 + 5% of the net US profits ($5,265,800 total salary) |
| A View to a Kill (1985) | $5,000,000 + 5% of the US gross ($7,515,000 total salary) |
