Movie legend Sir Roger Moore has died at the age of 89. Sir Roger Moore, whom most notably portrayed James Bond a mind blowing seven times, the most by any actor, passed away on Tuesday after losing his battle with cancer.
Today we take a look back at the career of Sir Roger Moore.
Sir Roger Moore – Career
Sir Roger Moore was born on October 14, 1927, in Stockwell, London. He Attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he developed his transcending relaxed demeanour and Mid-Atlantic accent that defined him as an actor, before he was conscripted into military service and eventually served as a captain in West Germany.
Sir Roger’s break-through came from playing Simon Templar in the television series The Saint (1962 – 1969), a spy thriller series, which made him a household name. After Sean Connery stepped away from the iconic James Bond character in 1971, Sir Roger was approached by Albert Broccolli and cast him in his first 007 role in Live and Let Die released in 1973.
Sir Roger portrayed the secret agent very differently from the version created by Ian Fleming. Sir Roger’s James Bond was a seasoned, debonair playboy who would always have a trick or gadget up his sleeve when he needed it.
He was also known for his sense of humour and witty one liners that made his portrayal stand out. Sir Roger went on to play 007 in seven movies spanning over 12 years:
- 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)
In a poll from 2008 of the ‘Best Bond ’Sir Roger won with a whopping 62% of the votes.
Legacy
Besides acting in Sir Roger’s life, another big part was his humanitarian work with UNICEF. He was introduced to UNICEF by his friend Audrey Hepburn and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991 and he was also involved in a production video for PETA involving protests against whole sale of Foie Gras as the video’s narrator.
Sir Roger was a man of many honours as he was appointed a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1999 and then promoted to Knight (KBE) in 2003. He was appointed, in 2008, by the French government as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres as recognition of significant contributions to the arts and literature.
In 2012 Sir Roger received a doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire for his outstanding contributions to the UK film and television industry for over 50 years – which was the cherry on the cake after his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame awarded to him in 2007.
Sir Roger Moore was a charismatic and generous man who will be immortalised by the secret service agent, 007, James Bond forever within our hearts. Rest in peace Sir Roger.
