On Tuesday, Roger Moore, 89, who followed Sean Connery as the next James Bond and played the part in seven films, died from cancer in Switzerland.
Moore was 45 when he first essayed Bond in 1973’s Live and Let Die, and 57 when he finished his run with the role in A View to a Kill. But before his life as Bond, Moore had been highly successful on television, starring as Simon Templar, the title character of The Saint from 1962-69.
After he retired as Bond, Moore time was primarily spent working with Unicef as a good-will ambassador in 1991. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1999 and was knighted in 2003.
Born in 1927, Moore entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1944. He first appeared on American television playing a French diplomat on an episode of NBC’s Robert Montgomery Presents. His first credited film role was in The Last Time I Saw Paris.
Moore was aware of his limitations as an actor, joking, “In theatrical terms, I’ve never had a part that demands much of me. The only way I’ve had to extend myself has been to carry on charming.” He also joked about his sex appeal with women, saying, “No, no, I was not very self-confident with them. I got lucky occasionally. But with a lack of confidence.” He also quipped, “I was so pretty, actresses didn’t want to work with me.”
Video of Moore as Bond below:
