The name is Bond. James Bond. For more than 60 years, this legendary spy has been shaken, not stirred, rebooted, and reimagined by a succession of actors, each putting his spin on the world’s most recognized tux. With whispers swirling about who will be the next to grab the Walther PPK—perhaps Aaron Taylor-Johnson? —It’s time to respond to a question as old as the films themselves: Who truly owned the role of 007?
Pick up your martini (shaken, not stirred, naturally), and let’s list all the James Bond actors.
Honorable Mention: Barry Nelson
Before Sean Connery turned Bond into an international icon, Barry Nelson first portrayed him on screen. In 1954, he played a live television rendition of Casino Royale on the show Climax!. He was the sole American to ever play him, and though his Bond isn’t much recalled, die-hard fans always proudly mention—he did it first.
David Niven
David Niven starred as Bond in the 1967 spoof take Casino Royale, and it’s easy to forget. The movie was more slapstick comedy than espionage thriller, with some bizarre scenes and a muddled plot. Niven added vintage Hollywood flair and a touch of Ian Fleming’s original Bond, but the film itself didn’t leave him much to do. It was an isolated performance that is more of a footnote than a legitimate entry.
George Lazenby
George Lazenby appeared in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, his sole Bond picture. He wasn’t a professional actor, and it was obvious—his performance was a little stiff here and there. But the film provided one of the series’ most heartbreaking conclusions, when Bond’s new bride, Tracy, is murdered. Fans have developed a greater appreciation for the film and Lazenby himself over the years, but he remains the underdog of the Bond cast.
Roger Moore
Roger Moore led Bond in a completely different direction. Over seven films, he embraced humor, gadgets, and camp. His Bond battled in outer space, sprinted across crocodiles, and was always prepared with a one-liner. Moore’s style wasn’t for all people—some fans believe the films lost their bite during his tenure—but they’re fun to watch nevertheless. He made Bond enjoyable and light, though the stories didn’t always stand up.
Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton provided Bond with a serious, more realistic tone. He lost the camp and introduced a darker, moodier tone to the character. His Bond was closer to the book one, tough, cold, and jaded by the work. His two films, The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill, were not blockbusters when they came out, but they paved the way for versions that would come after. In retrospect, Dalton was a man before his time.
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan was the epitome of Bond—suave, fashionable, and agile with a smile. He provided the franchise with a new kick with GoldenEye, which brought Bond back in the ’90s. However, the rest of his movies did not do as well. Die Another Day, for example, relied too much on glitzy tech such as invisible cars and had a poor script. Nevertheless, Brosnan injected definite charm into the character, and a lot of fans still think of him fondly as Bond.
Sean Connery
Sean Connery set the standard for all the Bonds to follow. Cool, self-assured, and lethal, his Bond gave spy movies a smooth, modern style. He starred in such classics as Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger. Elements have not aged well, but his impact is undeniable. Connery did not just play Bond—he created Bond for an age.
Daniel Craig
When they cast Daniel Craig, nobody was sure if he was the right guy. But in his first scene in Casino Royale, it was clear—this Bond wasn’t like the others. Craig brought raw emotion, physicality, and real pain to the part. His movies, especially Skyfall, raised the franchise to new heights. His Bond was a human being, not a suave spy.
Craig worked the role full circle, ending with No Time to Die, and redirected what 007 might be. The Bond film franchise is evolving continuously, and a new actor will be stepping into the role soon. But whoever steps up next, these are the actors who have defined the legacy of James Bond—and returned fans for more.