The rumor mill is constantly churning about the replacement of the popular film agent James Bond. Now the “007” makers’ search seems to have finally come to an end – the already very successful actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is set to succeed Daniel Craig as a secret agent. The British tabloid “The Sun” reported this on Tuesday (March 19). But the BBC promptly countered – “it’s all just rumours”. So the search or waiting for the official announcement continues.
Since 1962, six actors have taken on the role of James Bond and celebrated one global success after another in 25 films. But what happened to the actors who shaped the image of the secret agent?
Sean Connery (1962–1967, 1971)
For many Bond fans, Sir Sean Connery, the original “007” actor, is still the measure of all things today. And that even after the Scot had finally ended his Bond career. Because Connery was the only one who returned to the series after the failure of his successor (1971’s “Diamond Fever”) and even made another Bond film outside the series (1983’s “Never Say Never Again”).
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None of his colleagues made the leap from action hero to serious character actor as skillfully as Connery. Entire documentaries (“Sean Connery vs James Bond”, Arte, 2021) and books have been written about him and his years of efforts. In 1988, his career culminated in an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Brian de Palma’s The Untouchables. His Bond colleagues weren’t even nominated.
Steven Spielberg once called him one of the five best actors in the world. Connery, who appeared in around 70 films, received this high praise with strong roles in action films such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989), “The Hunt for Red October” (1990) and “The Rock” (1996). just. He shone in character roles in “The Bridge of Arnhem” (1977) and “The Name of the Rose” (1986). His last film role was in “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” in 2003, after which he retired. Connery, who suffered from dementia in his final years, died in 2020 at the age of 90.
George Lazenby (1969)
The Australian actor and former dressman has only made one Bond film in his career. His appearance in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was not particularly well received by the audience, so Sean Connery was hired again for the sequel “Diamond Fever”. It later became known that Lazenby wanted to be hired for more Bond films, but due to contract problems these never materialized. The fact that Lazenby publicly declared that the Bond character was no longer up to date is said to have contributed to the bad mood. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for best young actor.
Lazenby’s career didn’t really take off after the Bond adventure. To date, he has played about 65 film and television roles, mostly in B-movies or second-rate Hong Kong action films. His better-known films in which he played larger roles include “Kentucky Fried Movie” (1977) and “Lance: Never Die Young” (1986). He actually ended his career after 2003, but returned to the film business in 2014. In 2024 he will be seen in the low-budget film “Mundije” as the US President alongside 80s action heroes such as Michael Paré and Eric Roberts.
Lazenby (84) was married twice and has five children from both marriages. The actor regularly checks in with his around 19,000 followers on Instagram, often with snapshots next to his fellow Bond colleagues.
Almost a Bond: John Gavin
Do you still remember the actor John Gavin (1931-2018, “Psycho”, “Spartacus”, “Midnight Peaks”)? He had already signed the contract as the new (and first American) Bond in 1971. But when Sean Connery agreed to return to the series, the contract was quickly terminated and Gavin was compensated with $50,000.
Roger Moore (1973–1985)
With Roger Moore, who previously became known in television series such as “The 2”, humor found its way into the usually very serious world of James Bond and gave the character a new dimension. During his time as “007” from 1973 to 1985, he shaped the character with his unmistakable charm and wit, which once again made the Bond films global box office hits. It was so popular that it was awarded the last “Henrietta Award” at the Golden Globes in 1980, which was only given to absolute box office magnets.
After his departure from James Bond, Roger Moore devoted himself to numerous charitable activities, particularly as a UNICEF ambassador, where he used his celebrity to draw attention to important social issues. He continued his acting career in film and television, even if none of his roles reached the depth of his Bond days. Nevertheless, he could be seen in cinema hits such as “The Wild Geese Are Coming” (1978), “Atlantic Explosion Command” and “The Sea Wolves Are Coming” (1980). His last film appearance was in “Shakespeare for Beginners” in 2016.
Moore was married several times and had three children. In the last years of his life, the actor struggled with numerous health problems. He died in 2017 at the age of 89 as a result of cancer. He last lived in Crans-Montana (Switzerland) and in the Principality of Monaco, where he was buried at his own request in the Monaco cemetery.
Timothy Dalton (1987–1989)
Timothy Dalton (77) brought a more serious tone to the role of James Bond, which was reflected in his two films between 1987 and 1989, “The Breath of Death” and “License to Kill”. His portrayal was characterized by a greater emphasis on the character’s literary roots, which gave the films a dark atmosphere. Dalton sought a more realistic and psychologically profound interpretation of the agent, which was well received by one part of the audience but led to debate among another part.
After his Bond days, Dalton pursued a diverse acting career that took him to the stage, screen and television screen. He played roles in historical dramas, action films and as a character actor in various television series.
Dalton has also worked as a narrator for audio books and animated films. He is still doing well in business. He has appeared in the television series “Doom Patrol” since 2019 and in the Paramout series “1923” since 2022. He also had a guest appearance in the Netflix hit “The Crown” in 2022.
Timothy Dalton now lives in Los Angeles and has a son with the Russian composer Oksana Grigorieva. He keeps his personal life very private and is not present on social media.
Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002)
As a private detective in “Remington Steele,” Irish actor Pierce Brosnan was already distinguished by his charismatic appearance and elegant style, which made him the ideal choice for James Bond. As he took on the role of the secret agent four times from 1995 to 2002, he brought a mix of charm, wit and determination that reinvigorated the character for a new generation of fans.
During and after his time as “007,” Pierce Brosnan built a diverse career that featured him in a variety of genres, from thrillers to comedies to romantic dramas. Especially as an excellent supporting actor in cinema hits like “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993), “Mamma Mia!” (2008), “The Ghostwriter” (2010) and “Black Adam” (2022), Brosnan is still a busy star in Hollywood cinema today. He was last seen in 2023 as a World War veteran in the drama “The Last Rifleman”.
Brosnan’s commitment to environmental protection, for which he was awarded the Golden Camera, and his work as a UNICEF ambassador demonstrate his strong sense of social responsibility. He has also had US citizenship since 2004.
Brosnan lives in Malibu and on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Besides George Lazenby, he is the only Bond actor who regularly provides his fans with updates on Instagram. He has been married to journalist Keeyl Shaye Smith since 2001, with whom he has two sons. His marriage to Bond girl Cassandra Harris, who died of ovarian cancer in 1991, is also unforgettable. Brosnan adopted her daughter and son from a previous marriage. Tragic: His daughter also died of ovarian cancer in 2013.
Daniel Craig (2006–2021)
After 15 years and five films, it was time to say goodbye to Daniel Craig as James Bond in 2021. Craig’s Bond, initially heavily criticized and even ridiculed when it was announced, was characterized by a rawer emotionality and physical presence that took the series into a new era. His performances in films like “Casino Royale” and “Skyfall” were celebrated not only by fans but also by critics and set the bar for the role of “007” very high, despite all the prophecies of doom. Accordingly, an intensive search is currently underway for a successor.
During and after the end of his Bond career, new doors opened for the Englishman, which enabled Craig to further explore his acting diversity. He was outstanding, among other things, as Mikael Blomkvist in David Fincher’s US remake of “Verblendung” (2011). With his role as Detective Benoit Blanc in “Knives Out” and its sequels, Craig once again demonstrated his talent for complex character roles, this time with a pinch of humor and irony. In 2022 he was seen in a modern revival of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” on Broadway.
Like his Bond colleagues, Craig has also been involved in a number of social projects. In April 2015, the United Nations named Craig the first global advocate for the elimination of mines and explosives hazards.
Craig’s second marriage is to Oscar and Golden Globe winner Rachel Weisz. Their daughter was born in 2018. Previously, he was in a relationship with, among others, the German actress Heike Makatsch for several years. In 2019, he stated that he and his wife also received U.S. citizenship.