If someone asks you what your favorite spy movie is, it’s nearly impossible to keep James Bond from coming to mind. With gadgets, gizmos, guns, girls, and goons, James Bond is the gallant good guy who introduced the global audience to the thrill of on-screen espionage. Though the world has had time to reflect on the shortcomings of this flawed character and his over-the-top machismo, Bond remains one of the most exemplary and immortal characters to ever exist in modern media. Though James Bond has been present in film (and literature) for 70+ years, there seems to be no end in sight as new actors for new iterations are considered for the role every decade or so. As of late, many up-and-coming stars are being considered to reprise the role but it seems the prestigious protagonist has been offered to MCU star Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
How many James Bond Actors are There?
The most iconic movie spy of all time, James Bond has been portrayed by multiple actors since his film debut in 1962. There are a total of 7 actors who have played the role of our beloved spy: Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. All have brought their own unique twist to the character and all are worthy of mention in this article.
1. Sean Connery – 1962 - 1967, 1971, 1983
Films: Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds are Forever, Never Say Never Again (Non-EON production)
Best known for his role as James Bond (despite having almost 100 acting credits on IMDB), Connery is undoubtedly the best and most favored to have ever portrayed the slick, sexy spy. Though Connery very much earned the title, being the first to step into these metaphorically gigantic shoes must have been more like tailor-made dress shoes for him. Starring in what are, to this day, a few of the best Bond movies of all time (Goldfinger, Dr. No), the story of his success after these films is no mystery to unravel.
2. David Niven – 1967
Films: Casino Royale (Non-EON production)
A truly one-of-a-kind portrayal comes from the comedic prowess of David Niven: an unfortunately, largely forgotten role from a top-line British actor. As the only spoof movie on this list, Niven stands out in uniqueness but falls short due to the absolutely polarizing tone of this one-off film. While this film garnered a cult following over the years despite its critical reception, fans of Bond are quick to forget it amongst the crowd.
3. George Lazenby – 1969
Films: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
The only actor to portray Bond only once – in a serious role, that is – is George Lazenby: an unjustly hated replacement for Sean Connery at the time. While his acting was indeed in the lower rankings of the 7 iterations, the immediate hatred he received even before the film's release ensured his fate as a one-and-done James Bond. Over 50 years after its release, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has been hailed as more of a gem to audiences than had been originally perceived. Some even say that, at its core, it is one of the best Bond films but give little credit to poor George.
4. Roger Moore – 1973 - 1985
Films: Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopuss*, A View to a Kill
Holding the record for most Bond films starred in, Roger Moore steps in for an impressive 12-year, 7-film streak as James Bond. Though the quality of the films he starred in greatly varies, Moore became a pill much easier for audiences and fans to swallow. Bringing more of a cheeky, goofy quality to the character, the average Roger Moore Bond film is noticeably more campy than the Sean Connery predecessors but ultimately checks all the boxes that a Bond film should.
5. Timothy Dalton – 1987 - 1989
Films: The Living Daylights, License to Kill
One of the more arguably underrated actors to portray Bond is Timothy Dalton: Mr. Eyebrows himself. While he ultimately undersold audiences resulting in his measly two-film streak, Dalton brought a quality of darkness to the character that would change the tone of Bond films forever. As usual, the focus is always on the actor portraying the character rather than the film itself, which is why these two arguably underrated Bond films have been largely overlooked – probably also since License to Kill has been quite a popular film title since.
6. Pierce Brosnan – 1995 - 2002
Films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day
Commonly referred to as the second best (for some, the best) actor to play Bond, Pierce Brosnan with his sharp looks and undeniable charm was almost immediately accepted by viewers and critics alike. Helped along by the nearly-perfected Bond film formula, Pierce combined all the greatest things about past iterations and made it his own. Though the films are a bit over-the-top at times, the representation of all Bond film elements can be seen through a whole new lens that makes them truly unique.
7. Daniel Craig – 2006 - 2021
Films: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, No Time to Die
Another actor to be severely criticized even before his first Bond film release, Daniel Craig has since carved out his very own, very special streak of Bond films that are now seen as a great re-imagining of what Bond films can be. As the first series of Bond movies to follow a clear chronological order and continuation of events, Craig was given the rare chance to develop this character into a dark, embittered, lonely narrative with an earth-shattering conclusion. These films also broke the fourth wall a bit by cementing the concept into the canon that 007 is just a number: when he is gone, another comes to take his place as 007.
How to Watch the James Bond Movies in Order
If you’re looking for a more detailed list of how to watch all of the movies by actor or release date, look no further than our guide to the James Bond movies in order. While most of the Bond films do not follow a continued narrative throughout the timeline, it’s still very useful to have a full list of all the Bond films, their release dates, and who is starring in each one.
Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-grown culture writer for IGN. Intrigued from a young age by pop culture and movies, he has developed into an experienced critic and consumer of all things media. From his time earning a bachelor's degree in digital communications at Oregon State University, he found a love for writing and appreciating specific actors and directors in the many films he watches.
