James Bond is one of the most iconic and popular characters in cinema history. The suave British secret agent has been portrayed by six different actors throughout 27 films. So here’s the complete list of James Bond actors.
Each actor has brought their unique interpretation to the role, and the films have ranged from classic spy thrillers to more modern action adventures. Eon Productions Ltd. is a British film production company that has produced several James Bond film series.
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In this blog post, we’ve ranked the actors who have played James Bond, from best to worst. You’ll get to see the films that each actor starred in, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each actor’s performance as James Bond.
The Complete List of James Bond Actors
1. Sean Connery (1962-1971, 1983)
Sean Connery is widely considered to be one of the definitive James Bond actors. He starred in seven Bond films, from Dr. No (1962) to Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Connery’s Bond was a suave and sophisticated ladies’ man, but he was also a ruthless killer who was always willing to do whatever it took to get the job done.
Connery’s best Bond films include Dr. No, From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), and Thunderball (1965). These films are considered to be classics of the spy thriller genre, and they helped to establish James Bond as one of the most popular fictional characters of all time.
In Dr. No, James Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of a British agent. Bond soon discovers that Dr. No, a mysterious Chinese villain, is planning to disrupt the US space program. Bond must stop Dr. No before he can succeed.
From Russia With Love (1963) is another James Bond film where he is sent to Istanbul to retrieve a Lektor decoding device from a Russian agent. Bond is soon caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a group of Soviet assassins.
In the 1964 Goldfinger, James Bond is sent to investigate Auric Goldfinger, a gold magnate who is suspected of smuggling gold out of the United States. Bond travels to Miami, where he meets Goldfinger’s girlfriend, Pussy Galore. Bond then travels to Goldfinger’s Kentucky farm, where he discovers that Goldfinger is planning to raid Fort Knox and steal all of its gold. Bond must stop Goldfinger before he can carry out his plan.
Along the way, Bond faces many challenges, including Goldfinger’s henchmen, Oddjob and Pussy Galore. Bond also has to contend with Goldfinger’s plan to contaminate Fort Knox with a nerve gas, which would kill everyone inside. In the end, Bond can stop Goldfinger and save Fort Knox.
2. Roger Moore (1973-1985)
Roger Moore starred in seven Bond films, from Live and Let Die (1973) to A View to a Kill (1985). Moore’s Bond was a more lighthearted and funny character than Connery’s. He was also more of a physical action hero, and he often performed his stunts.
Moore’s best Bond films include The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), and For Your Eyes Only (1981). These films were commercial successes, and they helped to keep the James Bond franchise alive during the 1970s and 1980s.
One of the most interesting Roger Moore films is the 1973 Live and Let Die which follows James Bond as he is sent to New York City to investigate the deaths of three British agents. Bond soon discovers that Mr. Big, a powerful drug lord, is responsible for the deaths. Bond must now stop Mr. Big before he can continue his drug trafficking operation.
In the Spy Who Loved Me film released in 1977, James Bond and a KGB agent, Anya Amasova, team up to investigate the theft of two British and Russian nuclear submarines. Bond and Anya soon discover that Karl Stromberg, a wealthy industrialist, is planning to start World War III. Bond and Anya must put an end to Stromberg before he can succeed.
3. Timothy Dalton (1987-1989)
[Image of Timothy Dalton as James Bond]
Timothy Dalton is another one of the top James Bond actors between 1987 to 1989. He starred in two Bond films, The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). Unlike Connery’s or Moore’s, Dalton’s Bond was a darker and more serious character than either. He was also a more skilled and ruthless spy, and he was willing to bend the rules to get the job done.
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Dalton’s Bond films were not as commercially successful as the films starring Connery or Moore. However, they are now considered to be cult classics, and they are often praised for their darker and more realistic tone.
The Living Daylights (1987) follows James Bond as he is sent to Afghanistan to investigate the murder of a British agent. Bond soon discovers that General Koskov, a KGB officer, is responsible for the murder. Bond must stop Koskov before he can start a war between the Soviet Union and the United States.
4. Pierce Brosnan (1995-2002)
[Image of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond]
Pierce Brosnan starred in four Bond films, GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). He was a suave and sophisticated character as Bond, but he was also a skilled and ruthless spy. Compared to Connery or Moore, he was more emotional Bond, and he often showed vulnerability and compassion.
However, Brosnan’s Bond films were criticized for being too formulaic and for relying too heavily on special effects.
5. Daniel Craig (2006-2021)
[Image of Daniel Craig as James Bond]
Daniel Craig is considered to be one of the best actors to have played James Bond, having starred in five Bond films, Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021).
Craig’s Bond is a darker and more tortured character than any of the previous Bonds. He is also a more physically imposing Bond who often performs his stunts.
Craig’s Bond films have been a huge success because of their darker tone, realistic action sequences, and Craig’s performance.
In Casino Royale, James Bond is on vacation in Miami when he witnesses the murder of Felix Leiter, his CIA friend. Bond vows to avenge Leiter’s death and bring his killers to justice.
Bond soon discovers that Franz Sanchez, a drug lord, is responsible for Leiter’s death. Bond must stop Sanchez before he can continue his drug trafficking operation.
