James Bond Actors, Ranked

The James Bond movie franchise has been turning out movies since 1963 when Sean Connery first embodied the role in Dr. No. In that time only six actors have played the part, and they've all brought something to it. The central tension among their choices is whether to adopt the version that Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, carved out in his novels or bring a freshness to the part.

Many people have their own views on who the best 007 James Bond actor and there are many articles written on the subject. Well, here's my take on the matter. Here are all the actors who've played James Bond, ranked. (The list does not include the actors who played Bond in the 1967 version of Casino Royale, which is loosely based on the Fleming novel.)

6. Pierce Brosnan

It pains me to rank Brosnan last because it was his Bond I came of age watching in the '90s. Brosnan became the fifth actor to portray secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, starring in four films from 1995 to 2002 (Golden Eye in 1995, Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, The World Is Not Enough in 1999 and Die Another Day in 2002). He lent his likeness for Bond in the video games James Bond 007: Nightfire and James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, providing his voice for the latter. As a person, Brosnan is a treasure, but his stewardship of Bond made the franchise nearly irrelevant.

5. George Lazenby

First of all, Lazenby is Australian, which is a little weird for Bond, but his turn as 007 in 1969’s he was the youngest actor to don the title (at 29 years old).  On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is one of the better Bond films of the '60s. That’s unexpected because Lazenby was a model and commercial actor before taking the part. Although signing on for seven Bond films, he only appeared in one bond movie, claiming that the producers treated him poorly. In later interviews, Lazenby expressed that Bond was archaic in the liberated 70s and that he prefers being “a car salesman to a stereotyped James Bond.”

4. Timothy Dalton

Dalton was in two Bond films in the '80s and quit after a legal issue halted production for several years. Green eyed Timothy Dalton known for portraying James Bond in The Living Daylights in 1987 and Licence to Kill in 1989, as well as Mr Rochester in Jane Eyre in 1983, Rhett Butler in the television miniseries Scarlett in 1994 in, and Simon Skinner in Hot Fuzz in 2007.

Despite signing on for 3 Bond films, a lawsuit between MGM and the film’s producers that lasted several years caused the third Bond film to be cancelled. When the issue was finally resolved, Timothy Dalton had lost interest in portraying the character and announced he would not do the third film.

3. Sean Connery

He created the mould for Bond and, for many fans, will always be the quintessential 007. What Connery gave Bond, more than anything else, was the cool factor. He was suave and quick with a dry one-liner. Sean Connery was the first actor to play Bond, Connery’s portrayal actually influenced Fleming to later give the character a sense of humour and a familial backstory that coincided with the Scottish accent the actor brought to the role. Owning the second-longest tenure.

2. Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig, who waited tables as a struggling teenage actor with the National Youth Theatre, went on to star as James Bond in Casino Royale in 2006, Quantum of Solace in 2008, Skyfall in 2012 and Spectre 2015. The James Bond character as Ian Fleming imagined him is a gritty, sometimes hard-nosed spy who was orphaned as a child but still given a posh education. He embodies this version of the character fully. His turn in Casino Royale revived a tired franchise and will leave it in good stead for whoever assumes the role next. As per several speculations, Bond 25 is going to be the last film to feature Daniel Craig as British-spy. There have been several alleged reports that the studio is reportedly planning to cast a new younger actor to play the iconic James Bond role. There were talks that either Idris Elba or Bodyguard TV series star Richard Madden may get the chance to play James Bond.

1. Roger Moore

Roger Moore is best known for having played secret agent James Bond in seven feature films from 1973 to 1985. He also played Simon Templar in the television series The Saint from 1962 to 1969. His first movie as Bond, grossed more outside of America than Diamonds Are Forever (1971); Connery's last outing as James Bond. His portrayal of Bond was the furthest from Fleming’s vision, which is why—despite a few shortfalls—his is the best version of the role. Moore brought a lightness and even absurdity to the movies. It was perfect for the 1970s.

He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire on December 31, 1998, in the New Years Honours for services to UNICEF ( The United Nations Children's Fund ), and was promoted to Knight Commander of the same order on June 14, 2003 in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the charities UNICEF ( The United Nations Children's Fund ) and Kiwanis International.

Roger Moore was the oldest and longest-running actor to play James Bond—beginning his tenure at age 45 with Live and Let Die (1973) and ending his run at age 58 with A View to a Kill (1985).

Sir Roger Moore died of cancer on 23 May 2017, in Switzerland. He was 89.

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Many people have their own views on who the best 007 James Bond actor and there are many articles written on the subject. According to you, who is the best 007 James Bond actor? comment on your view in the comment box.