Barry Nelson
The American actor, born in 1917, started out in drama school. There he signed a contract with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio. The result was a role in the 1941 film The Thin Man's Shadow. In 1954, fate brought Barry to the Climax show! from CBS, which was one of the few broadcast in color at the time. The creators of the program decided to make a film adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel “Casino Royale”. Nelson became the very first James Bond - an American. Years later, the actor said he didn't know how to play the agent; he hadn't even read the book.
The television version did not become popular in the United States until President John Kennedy named Fleming's From Russia with Love as one of his favorites. However, the role never had an impact on Barry's career. Among his later works are filming in the film “Airport” and “The Shining” by Stanley Kubrick, where Nelson played a hotel manager.
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In 2000, the actor was awarded a knighthood and the right to be called sir; this was Sean Connery’s long-time dream, but the Queen of Great Britain was in no hurry to award the honorary title to the actor, who was a member of the National Party of Scotland and always supported the idea of independence of his country from England.
Having become a popular film actor, Sean Connery did not strive for fame and did not capitalize on the image of James Bond, he simply worked hard, and fame and audience love became the reward for these efforts.
Bob Holness
Robert was born in South Africa in 1928. When he was only 7 years old, the family moved to England. After studying, Holness took a job as a radio presenter for the BBC. He soon became the second person to officially play James Bond, this time in the radio adaptation of Fleming's Moonraker, released in 1956. Because it was broadcast live, no known recordings were recorded. Bob later recalled that the broadcast lasted about an hour and a half. Holness also became famous for the TV show Blockbusters.
Sean Connery
Born in Scotland in 1930, Sean had many careers before becoming an actor. As a child he worked as a milkman, then served in the navy. After leaving for health reasons, Connery tried himself as a driver, lifeguard and even an artist's model. He was involved in bodybuilding and football. As a result, the athletic, fit handsome man ended up backstage at the theater in the 1950s. His first film work took place in 1957. Sean played Spike in the film No Way Back. After a series of films, Conner was invited to star in a series of films about James Bond. At first, the actor was reluctant to agree, but soon realized that if everything worked out, his career would take off to a new level.
Sean Connery played Agent 007 in the first five Bond films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965) and You Only Live Twice. (1967). He then reappeared as Bond in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever and 1983's Never Say Never Again. By the way, the last of them is unofficial, as it was filmed by another film company.
All seven films became commercial successes. James Bond, as portrayed by Connery, has been chosen as the third most important hero in film history. The film adaptation of the novel made the actor a real star. Sean was even upset that he was associated only with this role, which “he was fed up with.” Later he proved that he was capable of more. Connery won the Best Actor Award for his role in The Name of the Rose, and then received an Oscar for The Untouchables.
The best James Bond in film history
Before casting Sean Connery in the role of James Bond, the filmmakers went through quite a few candidates, looking for the leading actor for the film adaptation of the spy novel. By choosing Connery, they took a risk, since the actor was completely unknown to the general public, but Sean did not let them down.
“Bond” became the “finest hour” in the creative biography of Sean Connery, who from the very first Bond films became the idol of a multimillion-dollar film audience. The actor performed almost all difficult episodes himself, without using the services of stuntmen. True, Sean Conner needed a double during the filming of one of the scenes in the film “Dr. No”, where a large spider appeared in the frame with him - the actor is terribly afraid of these insects and cannot do anything about this phobia.
Sean Connery in the movie "Dr. No"
The creator of the image of James Bond, writer Ian Fleming, who was at first against Sean Connery starring in the epic, quickly accepted his performance and no longer imagined anyone else in this role.
The actor last played the role of super agent 007 when he was already over forty, and he admitted that he was already tired of this image. True, ten years later, Sean Connery put on the Bond suit again, starring in the film “Never Say Never Again” with Kim Basinger and Klaus Brandauer.
Bob Simmons
Bob never became a full-fledged James Bond, but without him there would be no iconic opening sequence with the barrel of a gun. Therefore, we decided to talk about the man who remained behind the camera.
Simmons was a former Army physical training instructor. He initially planned to become an actor, but thought that a career as a stuntman would be more lucrative and interesting. In the early 1950s, he worked with Albert Broccoli and Irving Allen on the film The Red Beret. It was then that he met future Bond director Terence Young.
When Broccoli began making films about the agent, Bob auditioned as an actor for the role of Bond, but ended up becoming a stuntman. He coordinated stunts for almost every film until his death in 1987. Simmons has appeared in a gun-baring scene in three films: Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. He also appeared in an episode of Thunderball.
Rock
The Rock
- USA, 1996.
- Action.
- Duration: 136 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.4.
An American general seizes a dangerous weapon of mass destruction and takes hostages in the former Alcatraz prison, demanding a huge sum of money. FBI chemical weapons specialist Stanley Goodspeed is sent to neutralize the terrorists, and a former British agent who spent 33 years in prison must help him.
There is some irony in casting Connery as the former MI6 agent. It's conceivable that his Bond's future might look like this. The actor did an excellent job with the role of a sharp and life-worn man.
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David Niven
Another non-Bond, David was a very popular British actor in the 1940s. He starred in the films “Stairway to Heaven”, “The Bishop’s Wife”, “Charm” and many others. Niven achieved his greatest success with his role in the 1956 film Around the World in 80 Days. When Sean Connery auditioned for the role of Bond in 1961, David was handpicked by Fleming because he believed the actor perfectly captured his character. In 1965, producer Charles Feldman signed Niven to star in Casino Royale, a film produced by Famous Artists Productions rather than Eon. Therefore, the film adaptation did not become part of the Bond film.
David was 56 years old when he played Bond. Ian's concept was that after Niven left Bond, his 007 name and designation would be transferred to another agent to keep the legend alive. This basically meant Connery would be next.
"Mr. Universe"
In the spring of 1953, the broad-shouldered handsome man was working as a typesetter in a printing house and accidentally read the announcement of the Mr. Universe competition, which was held in London. The Scot went to a promising event to win, but took only third place, which was enough for Sean to be invited to audition for the corps de ballet. The actor recalled: “They gave me a partner and asked me to lift her up. I lifted her up with outstretched arms, like a straw doll. They laughed and told her to give her a lift. I threw it up. And I even caught it. I must have thrown it too high - they all gasped. But they took me."
From then on, work on the street ended for Sean, he began performing in the theater, played on television, and participated in various film projects. But no matter how hard the young man tried, until he was 31, no one believed in the actor’s talent and saw him as a future movie star.
Everything changed when Sean’s candidacy was included in the list of contenders to play the leading role in a film about a superspy based on the novels of the British writer Ian Fleming .
Poster for the film about James Bond. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
George Lazenby
Australian actor and model, George was born in 1939. He moved to London at age 24. Five years later, Lazenby was invited to play Agent 007 in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. He became the youngest Bond, who was only 29 years old at the time of filming. George was dressed in a Savile Row suit and given a Rolex Submariner watch, which had been ordered for Connery.
The directors were looking for a new handsome, sexy and aggressive James and they got him. For his role, Lazenby was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Despite this, critics called the actor the worst Bond. In November 1969, prior to the film's release, George announced that he no longer wanted to play the agent because "the producers made me feel like I was useless. They ignored everything I suggested." He never received millions of dollars or recognition. As a result, George went into the real estate business.
Ball lightning
Thunderball
- Great Britain, 1965.
- Action.
- Duration: 130 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.0.
The Specter organization steals a NATO bomber with two nuclear warheads on board. The villains threaten to blow up any two major cities if they are not paid a ransom in diamonds. According to MI6, Specter is hiding warheads in the Bahamas, where agent 007 is sent to save humanity again.
Sean Connery can be considered to have played twice in this film. Almost 20 years later, he returned to the role of James Bond in the film Never Say Never Again, which practically repeats the plot of Thunderball.
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Roger Moore
The Briton's career began in the 1940s. He starred in episodes and worked as a model. Having signed a contract with MGM, Moore played in the film “The Last Time I Saw Paris” with Elizabeth Taylor. Roger also achieved success thanks to his role in the television series Ivanhoe, after which he signed a contract with Warner Bros. Moore then starred in the series Alaskans, Maverick, The Saint and Amateur Detectives.
In 1973, when Connery retired for good, Albert Broccoli approached Roger for Live and Let Die. That same year, another James Bond was released - a television version called Omnibus The British Hero. The unofficial adaptation starring Christopher Cazenove was notable for not focusing entirely on the agent, with the actor also playing other characters.
Roger Moore later starred in the films The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) ) and A View to a Kill (1985). The actor showed the agent as more sophisticated and elegant. At the time of completion of filming of the last film, Roger was already 57 years old.
Timothy Dalton
With Roger Moore's retirement in 1985, the search began for a new actor. Pierce Brosnan already took part in the casting, but the role went to Timothy Dalton. The British actor was widely known for his role as Edward Rochester in the film Jane Eyre. In 1985, Dalton was supposed to play Don Alfonso de la Torre in Roman Polanski's film Pirates. Not getting along with the director, the actor left the project.
A year later, he became agent 007 in the film “Sparks from the Eyes.” In 1989, Timothy played Bond in License to Kill. His interpretation was more serious and severe. Perhaps because of this, not everyone accepted the new hero. The films became less comedic, which fans did not particularly like. The second film was generally considered too cruel. After the Bond films, Dalton chose a variety of characters. This helped him eliminate the influence of the role on his future career.
Pierce Brosnan
Returning to Pierce for the filming of 1995's GoldenEye, the studio offered the actor a three-film contract. Brosnan was already an acclaimed actor, in particular for his roles in the films “The Fourth Protocol” and “The Stranglers.” Like Moore, Pierce exhibited a high degree of Bond's suaveness, elegance, charm and wit. However, due to changes in public opinion, the hero was unable to be as overtly sexual and dominant over women as Connery. This was all compensated for by humor.
As a result, the actor starred in four films. The second was “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), then “The World Is Not Enough” (1999) and “Die Another Day” (2002). After 2 years, Pierce announced his intention to leave. Another radio adaptation of Fleming was released during this period: You Only Live Twice with Michael Jayston.
The role of an agent greatly helped Brosnan in his future career. During breaks from filming Bond, he starred in the Tim Burton comedy Mars Attacks! and the drama “The Thomas Crown Affair” by John McTiernan. After leaving, the film “Matador” followed, for which the actor received three awards, including the Golden Globe. Then there was the musical “Mamma Mia!”, “Ghost” by Roman Polanski and many more good films.
Sean Connery is 85: he and the other James Bonds
The most famous Bond man, Sean Connery, was once an unknown actor who played in sitcoms. And so, when he turned 32 years old, there was a casting for the new James Bond . Connery was lucky - he passed a tough competition and received a ticket to a big movie. Today the actor turned 85 years old ! Let's remember the James Bonds of all times.
Barry Nelson
But before Sean Connery there was the very first, “black and white” Bond - Barry Nelson , who played in the 1954 film. Then instead of James it was Jimmy Bond . The episode appeared in the American television series Climax. It was based on the book “Casino Royale”.
Sean Connery
According to the contract, Sean had to play in five films in the series. His fee for Dr. No was initially a modest £6,000, but he ended up earning more than $18 million from the role.
After the initial euphoria wore off, Connery became frightened at the prospect of becoming a one-man actor. Twice he promised that he would not take on the role again. But the fears turned out to be in vain. In 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, he was lured by a $1.25 million fee. In 1983, the Scot was persuaded to star in his last Bond film, Never Say Never Again. Connery is the only Bond performer an Oscar . In 2000, the British Queen awarded Sir Connery a knighthood. By the way, Connery himself called “From Russia with Love” (1963) his favorite film.
George Lazenby
The controversial Australian got into the film by accident and was unable to gain a foothold, despite his stunning appearance and athletic build. He played agent 007 in the film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. But during filming, the eccentric actor managed to quarrel with both the director and his colleagues. But Lazenby performed all the stunts himself. This is the only film where Bond marries Countess Tracy , played by Diana Rigg . George Lazenby's fee was $400 thousand.
Roger Moore
Roger Moore is the oldest Bond (he started filming Bond at 46 and finished at 57). Despite all the concerns, for 12 years, from the first ( Live and Let Die , 1973) to the last film (A View to a Kill, 1985), he successfully coped with the role. The audience fell in love with him for his sense of humor and irony, which was more developed than others.
Timothy Dalton
Fleming's fans said that Dalton recreated Bond as Fleming . By the time he was offered to become a new agent, he had received a good acting education and played at the Royal Shakespeare Theater. Bond at the age of 41, and finished acting at 43. He played in two films - Sparks from the Eyes (1987) and License to Kill (1989). His Bond is not so aggressive and sexy, practically devoid of a sense of humor, but viewers fell in love with him because he is not a super machine with gadgets, but a person.
Pierce Brosnan
Irishman Pierce Brosnan sought the role of James , going from a taxi driver to an acting career. And not in vain - he became the favorite of all women on the planet. Pierce starred in four films - GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). in the first film about Agent 007 at the age of 42. Officially retired from playing Bond at the age of 49.
Daniel Craig
Handsome Craig is the first blond among all the artists who played Bond . He has (so far) three films to his credit: Casino Royale , Quantum of Solace and 007: Skyfall , 007: Spectre . He began acting in Bond at the age of 38 and became the highest-grossing and highest-paid James Bond . Each film brings him a fee of at least $10 million.
Now producers are looking for a new Bond . Tom Hiddleson, Tom Hardy and Jamie Bell are said to be among the contenders .
Daniel Craig
The latest James Bond was initially poorly received by the public. The English actor starred in such films as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Road to Perdition and Munich. But when he was chosen to play the agent, the public said no. Daniel was shorter, and his blond hair and blue eyes did not in any way correspond to the established image of a hero. Despite all the statements, the premiere of the film “Casino Royale” took place in 2006. After seeing the result, critics changed their minds. The press wrote that Craig really warmed to Fleming's character.
Success was not long in coming, and Daniel starred in five more films. Quantum of Solace was released in 2008, followed by Skyfall (2012), which became one of the most successful Bond releases. In 2020, “007: Spectrum” was presented. The premiere of Bond 25 is set for April 8, 2020. The new agent's style has attracted attention for his choice of clothing from premium brands. Standouts included an Armani leather jacket, a waxed Barbour X To Ki To jacket and Tom Ford suits.
In addition to Agent 007, Craig had other successful roles in films such as The Jacket, based on the novel by Jack London, Layer Cake, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Logan Lucky.
Toby Stephens
Let’s complete the list with the actor who played the role of Gustav Graves in the film “Die Another Day.” However, Toby was also Bond. He voiced Agent 007 in BBC Radio 4's Dr No, Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, Moonraker, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball and Diamonds Are Forever. In 2008, Stevens appeared on stage at the London Palladium as part of an event called "The James Bond Story, a Tribute to Ian Fleming." The event, hosted by Fleming's niece Lucy, featured music from various films and film stars reading from the author's novels. Toby read for the role of James Bond.
Dr. No
Dr. No
- Great Britain, 1962.
- Action, adventure.
- Duration: 127 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.3.
The first film about James Bond, from which the story of the superspy began. 007 must find the source of the interference that is causing the American missiles to go off course and fall. Bond for the first time encounters the powerful criminal organization Specter, as well as the sinister Doctor No, who decided to destroy the missiles.
Ian Fleming himself, the author of the James Bond books, wanted his relative Christopher Lee to play Agent 007. But the filmmakers made the right choice, and the film series started with Sean Connery in the title role.
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