Roger Moore also known as James Bond
On Tuesday, the sadden news outburst the nation wide of the death of Roger Moore popularly refer to as James Bond - actor best 007 films ranked. He was the oldest and longest-running actor to play the British spy
Sir Roger Moore has passed away at the age of 89 leaving behind a grand body of work including the role of James Bond which he made his own between the years of 1973-85.
The British actor was not only the oldest actor to portray 007, but the longest-running taking over from George Lazenby after On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).
“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer,” they said in a statement published on Twitter.
James Bond star Roger Moore “We are all devastated,” Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian said, adding: “Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people.”
Moore won fame as the smooth-talking adventurer Simon Templar in British television show “The Saint” in the 1960s, and also starred alongside Tony Curtis in “The Persuaders” in the 1970s. But it was not until 1973, at the age of 45, that he won the role that for many fans would come to define him, as Bond novelist Ian Fleming’s fictional secret agent.
In later years Moore became known for his humanitarian work, notably through his activities as a UNICEF ambassador, helping raise funds for under-privileged children.
“With the passing of Sir Roger Moore, the world has lost one of its great champions for children – and the entire UNICEF family has lost a great friend,” the UN agency’s executive director Anthony Lake said.
Moore’s children said he considered the UNICEF work — for which he was given a knighthood in 2003 — his “greatest achievement”.
“We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF, which he considered to be his greatest achievement,” they said.
“The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Moore's Bond was considered extremely different to the one created by author Ian Fleming who was initially brought to life by first Sean Connery in 1962's Dr. No - his debonair, more seasoned take on the character - a witty one-liner never far away from his lips - seen as emblematic of the decade, even if his louche attributes turned some off (by his own admission he was "the fourth best" Bond).
He starred in seven Bond films across his 11-year tenure - below is a rating of his best three.
Why Sir Roger Moore was the greatest 007
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
This is easily the jewel in Sir Roger's 007 crown be it down to the Lotus-submarine hybrid or his battle with legendary villain Jaws (Richard Kiel). If the classic opening scene - fit with Union Jack parachute - doesn't seal the deal, Carly Simon's theme song, 'Nobody Does It Better' does mere moments later.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
It's fair to say Moore's Bond run isn't considered the series' most quintessential, but The Man with the Golden Gun is a fitting (and extremely fun) example of what the actor could do with - well, not a lot. A mishmash of inspirations inveigled their way into the flick - there is martial arts and trippy psychedelic vibe courtesy of the villainous Saramanga's fun house.
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
The beautiful For Your Eyes Only was a considered return to form following the so-bad-it's-kinda-brilliant Moonraker two years before, even if the only way was up after that opening which sees Bond drop Blofeld from a helicopter (just watch it). This was a clear attempt at bringing Bond back to basics featuring a breathless mountainside sequence and brawl in a legitimate ice hockey rink
Moonraker (1979)
The most expensive of Moore's Bond films, Moonraker was inspired by the surge of popularity in sci-fi attributed to a little film called Star Wars. For the most part, it doesn't work which isn't say Moonraker is never fun because, at its height, the spectacle is often a thrilling slice of escapism. Oh, it features Jaws' return!
Octopussy (1983)
James Bond dressed as a clown - need we say more?
A View to a Kill (1985)
As Moore's Bond swansong, A View to a Kill is more a broken down Aston Martin, spurting out fumes, than Union Jack parachute gliding through the air. The actor - then 58 - struggles to keep a lock on proceedings, not aided by Grace Jones and Christopher Walken's head-scratching villains.
Live and Let Die (1973)
It may have one of the greatest - and celebrated - Bond themes, but make no mistake: Live and Let Die is near bottom of the 007 pile. Moore's first Bond film saw him finding his feet in a sprawling mess which leaves something resembling a sour taste upon rewatch largely in part to the inclusion of voodoo and treatment of blaxploitation archetypes.
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