Joining the ranks of James Bond actors must be a daunting prospect for any star.
Not only are you stepping into the shoes of one of cinema's most beloved characters, but you are redefining the role for a new generation.
The hunt is on for the next 007 right now, though producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson recently admitted that the search was still in its early stages.
Speaking to Variety, Barbara explained: “The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off and when we cast Bond, it’s a 10, 12-year commitment.
"So, he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].”
Michael added: “And he was in his early 30s at the time!”
Including Daniel Craig, seven actors have played the part of Britain’s best spy, but sadly we have lost a few over the 60 years since the original Dr No premiered.
It’s James Bond Day today (October 5), marking the beginning of the character's transition from page to screen, meaning there is no better time to look back on the stars that made him so iconic.
Four former Bonds are still with us, but the legacy of all seven stars remains just as strong as ever.
How many James Bond actors are still alive?
George Lazenby
Australian actor George Lazenby only played the secret agent in a single movie, 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Despite only starring as Bond once, the film is often considered one of, if not the best, in the entire franchise.
The 83-year-old is also known for his roles in Gettysburg, The Man From Hong Kong and Star Of Jaipur.
Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton played James Bond twice in 1987's The Living Daylights and 1989's Licence to Kill.
Outside of Bond, he is best known for Flash Gordon, Hot Fuzz and The Lion in Winter.
Modern audiences may recognise his voice in the Toy Story films, where he plays the character of Mr Pricklepants in the third and fourth instalments.
The 76-year-old’s latest project was the DC series Doom Patrol.
Pierce Brosnan
For anyone that grew up in the 1990s, Pierce Brosnan will forever be their Bond, playing the part from 1995 to 2002.
The 69-year-old presented a more suave, sarcastic 007, kicking off his run with 1995’s Golden Eye.
Pierce played the role three more times across 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, 1999’s The World is Not Enough and 2002’s Die Another Day.
In the years following he has found continued success, appearing in hits such as Mamma Mia!, The Ghost and The World’s End.
He is also set to return to a major franchise blockbuster in DC’s Black Adam as Dr Fate, hitting cinemas on October 21.
Daniel Craig
Upon the release of 2021’s No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond came to an end.
The 59-year-old had played the role since 2006’s Casino Royale, introducing audiences to a grittier, more brutal 007 than they had seen before.
The star also played the part in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, 2012’s Skyfall and 2015’s Spectre.
Now the actor is sinking his teeth into a new franchise, playing Benoit Blanc from Knives Out and Netflix’s upcoming sequel, Glass Onion.
Who else played James Bond?
Sean Connery
The original Bond and the best in many people's opinions, Sean Connery set the benchmark for all actors to follow.
He captured the essence of the character, his suave persona, brutal demeanour, seductive charm and quintessential Britishness.
After 1962’s Dr No, he played 007 in 1963's From Russia with Love, 1964's Goldfinger, 1965's Thunderball, 1967's You Only Live Twice, 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, and 1983's Never Say Never Again.
Sean died on October 31, 2020 at the age of 90.
David Niven
In 1967, Casino Royale released, a parody film by Columbia Pictures that was loosely based on the 1953 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming.
David Niven took on the role of Bond in this unusual offshoot, which featured an older 007 forced out of retirement.
It was the only time David took on the character, with the actor best known for his Pink Panther movies, along with Murder By Death, 1956’s Around The World In 80 Days and Separate Tables.
The star died on July 29, 1983 at the age of 73.
Roger Moore
At the end of Roger Moore’s tenure as Bond, he tied with Sean Connery for playing the character the most at seven times, a fitting number.
Roger brought a more lighthearted tone to the franchise, starring in 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun, 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, 1979’s Moonraker, 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, 1983’s Octopussy and 1985’s A View To A Kill.
He was the longest-serving 007 actor at twelve years, from when he signed in 1973 to 1985.
Roger passed away on May 23, 2017 at the age of 89.
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