Within the collective psyche of the general public, the shadowy underworld of international espionage is closely tied to one of the most famous fictional characters ever: James Bond. Casino Royale, a novel by Ian Fleming, was published in 1953. That book would introduce the world to British secret service agent James Bond for the first time.
Although Fleming died in 1964, he saw his invention adapted into a radio play, a TV special, a comic book, and, of course, a feature film through which several men portrayed James Bond over the last eight decades. Also known as 007, James Bond is a British secret agent who has a license to murder.
James Bond has been portrayed on screen by several well-known actors, including the iconic Daniel Craig. Apart from being an excellent spy and an accomplished fighter, this character is known for many things, including being a great casino player. Many followers of the universe would have seen him play online casino cash games on many occasions, including his iconic role in the 2006 film, Casino Royale.
This article delves into the actors who have played this iconic character the most times. Now, let’s meet these 007s.
Sean Connery (7)
When Dr. No was released in 1962, Sean Connery, at 32 years old, debuted as James Bond. No famous actor or actress was approached for this part at the time. Connery’s career took off after landing the role, and he remained a Hollywood A-lister for decades until retiring following the release of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003.
No matter how many other roles he played successfully — and there were many, he would always be known as James Bond. Connery left the part after You Only Live Twice was released in 1967 owing to dissatisfaction with his income and weariness with the character. Eventually, George Lazenby would take up the role. However, Sean Connery would return for two more films: 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever (after Clint Eastwood turned down the role of James Bond), and 1983’s Never Say Never Again, ending his stint at seven appearances.
Roger Moore (6)
Moore stepped into the role in Live and Let Die (1973), bringing with him a carefree, do-what-the-hell mentality that was perfectly in sync with the spirit of the times. He continued to portray Bond in five more films over the following 12 years, transforming the character from a serious secret agent into more of a playboy explorer.
The stories got more sophisticated, and the gadgets became crazier, but the actor also found some gritty roles to play. While he may not have the Bond heritage of Connery or Craig, fans of the series nonetheless appreciate his time in the role.
Daniel Craig (5)
New Bond producer Barbara Broccoli cast 37-year-old character actor Daniel Craig as 007 in 2005. Craig had previously appeared in films like Elizabeth and Sylvia and the extremely Bond-like Layer Cake. There was an initial backlash from Bond fans when Brosnan was replaced by Daniel Craig, but he swiftly won them over with a portrayal of James Bond that rivaled that of Sean Connery.
With the third Casino Royale film, Craig made an immediate impact. Due to his fierce seriousness and the grim mood of several flicks, his Bond was more reminiscent of Jason Bourne than many past Bonds, but this is exactly what fans were hoping for. Craig portrayed Bond for the longest, providing us with five films over a disappointingly short 16 years.
Pierce Brosnan (4)
Brosnan had a relatively long run as Bond, but the series struggled to find its footing after the end of the Cold War. Also, the screenplays were often weak. While the actor was more than up for the challenge, the film sank into a rut, desperately trying to shake up the structure without taking any real chances.
After a six-year sabbatical, GoldenEye in 1995 injected fresh life into the Bond franchise, and Pierce Brosnan was able to ride that wave for three more films, especially with the help of Judi Dench, who debuted as M in the Brosnan period. However, by the time Die Another Day came out in 2002 with an ice castle and an invisible automobile, it was evident that the film would be the actor’s last.
Final Thoughts
From the pioneering Sean Connery to the much-loved Daniel Craig, each Bond actor has left their mark on the iconic franchise. Examining the legacy of the actors who have played James Bond the most allows us to understand more about the actors as well as how the character has evolved and been portrayed throughout the history of the movie. Whoever succeeds them will have a rather large tuxedo to fill.
