Roger Moore

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Birthday:

14 October 1927, Stockwell, London, England, UK

Birth Name:

Roger George Moore

Height:

185 cm

Roger Moore will perhaps always be remembered as the man who replaced Sean Connery in the James Bond series, arguably something he never lived down. Roger George Moore was born on October 14, 1927 in Stockwell, London, England, the son of Lillian (Pope) and George Alfred Moore, a policeman. He first wanted to be an artist, but got into films full time after becoming an extra in the late 1940s. Moore also served in the British military during the Second World War. He came to the United States in 1953. Suave, extremely handsome, and an excellent actor, he received a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His initial foray met with mixed success, with movies like Diane (1956) and Interrupted Melody (1955), as well as The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954).Moore went into television in the 1950s on series such as Ivanhoe (1958) and The Alaskans (1959), but probably received the most recognition from Maverick (1957), as cousin Beau. He received his big breakthrough, at least internationally, as The Saint (1962). The series made him a superstar and he became very successful thereafter. Moore ended his run as the Saint, and was one of the premier stars of the world, but he was not catching on in America. In an attempt to change this, he agreed to star with Tony Curtis on ITC's The Persuaders! (1971), but although hugely popular in Europe, it did not catch on in the United States and was canceled. Just prior to making the series, he starred in The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970), which proved there was far more to Moore than the light-hearted roles he had previously accepted.He was next offered and accepted the role of James Bond, and once audiences got used to the change of style from Connery's portrayal, they also accepted him. Live and Let Die (1973), his first Bond movie, grossed more outside of America than Diamonds Are Forever (1971); Connery's last outing as James Bond. He went on to star in another six Bond films, before bowing out after A View to a Kill (1985). He was age 57 at the time the film was made and was looking a little too old for Bond - it was possibly one film too many. In between times, there had been more success with appearances in films such as That Lucky Touch (1975), Shout at the Devil (1976), The Wild Geese (1978), Escape to Athena (1979) and North Sea Hijack (1980).Despite his fame from the Bond films and many others, the United States never completely took to him until he starred in The Cannonball Run (1981) alongside Burt Reynolds, a success there. After relinquishing his role as Bond, his work load tended to diminish a little, though he did star in the American box office flop Feuer, Eis & Dynamit (1990), as well as the comedy Bullseye! (1990), with Michael Caine. He did the overlooked comedy Bed & Breakfast (1991), as well as the television movie The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1994), and then the major Jean-Claude Van Damme flop The Quest (1996). Moore then took second rate roles such as Spice World (1997), and the American television series The Dream Team (1999). Although his film work may have slowed down, he is still very much in the public eye, be it appearing on television chat shows or hosting documentaries.Roger Moore was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire on December 31, 1998 in the New Years Honours for services to UNICEF, and was promoted to Knight Commander of the same order on June 14, 2003 in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the charities UNICEF and Kiwanis International. Show less «

(1998) Over the last year I've rather enjoyed making documentaries for a company called Associated Television, run by a man called David Mac...Show more »

(1998) Over the last year I've rather enjoyed making documentaries for a company called Associated Television, run by a man called David Mackenzie. And we shot a couple in Russia, one in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg... they are called "The KGB Files". Show less «

To me, the Bond situations are so ridiculous, so outrageous. I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy and yet, everybody knows he's a spy. E...Show more »

To me, the Bond situations are so ridiculous, so outrageous. I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy and yet, everybody knows he's a spy. Every bartender in the world offers him martinis that are shaken, not stirred. What kind of serious spy is recognized everywhere he goes? It's outrageous. So you have to treat the humor outrageously as well. My personality is entirely different than previous Bonds. I'm not that cold-blooded killer type. Which is why I play it mostly for laughs. Show less «

I must tell you the truth - I have not seen them, and for a very good reason. Knowing that I would get asked questions like that, I'm always...Show more »

I must tell you the truth - I have not seen them, and for a very good reason. Knowing that I would get asked questions like that, I'm always desperately honest. If I didn't like the performance, I don't know how I would answer. I do know Timothy, and he is a very, very pleasant chap and a good actor. - When asked for his opinion about the James Bond movies featuring his successor Timothy Dalton Show less «

[his explanation for his comical approach to James Bond] I don't believe in Bond as a hero. It's a load of nonsense. How can you be a spy wh...Show more »

[his explanation for his comical approach to James Bond] I don't believe in Bond as a hero. It's a load of nonsense. How can you be a spy when any bar you walk into, the bartender says, "Ah, Mr Bond. Shaken, not stirred?". Show less «

[on his son who owns the London restaurant "Hush"] You could say he has a "License to Grill".

Both Sean and I will be forgotten after everybody sees Pierce. After seeing Pierce Brosnan playing James Bond on the set of the film GoldenE...Show more »

Both Sean and I will be forgotten after everybody sees Pierce. After seeing Pierce Brosnan playing James Bond on the set of the film GoldenEye (1995) Show less «

My personality is entirely different than his. I can't play the cold-blooded killer that Sean can do so well, which is why I play it for lau...Show more »

My personality is entirely different than his. I can't play the cold-blooded killer that Sean can do so well, which is why I play it for laughs. - Comparing his portrayal of James Bond with Sean Connery's Show less «

Today I am completely opposed to small arms and what they can do to children. I played every role tongue-in-cheek because I don't really bel...Show more »

Today I am completely opposed to small arms and what they can do to children. I played every role tongue-in-cheek because I don't really believe in that sort of hero. I don't like guns. Show less «

I'm delighted to hear that Daniel Craig has been appointed the new 007. It's a very exciting time and I would like to wish everyone at Eon m...Show more »

I'm delighted to hear that Daniel Craig has been appointed the new 007. It's a very exciting time and I would like to wish everyone at Eon much success, and welcome Daniel to the family. Show less «

You're not a star till they can spell your name in Vladivostok.

A lot of actors didn't make their start until in their prime - I remember Buster Merryfield - who played Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Hors...Show more »

A lot of actors didn't make their start until in their prime - I remember Buster Merryfield - who played Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Horses.... (1981) - saying that it wasn't until he retired as a bank clerk that he got involved with amateur dramatics, and then acting on television. Show less «

A lot of my reading over the next few months will be the works of Hans Christian Andersen - I have been appointed an ambassador for the bice...Show more »

A lot of my reading over the next few months will be the works of Hans Christian Andersen - I have been appointed an ambassador for the bicentenary celebrations of his birth next year. Show less «

Bond was escapism, but not meant to be imitated in real life.

But if asked which of my co-stars had the biggest effect and impact on me, I say - without hesitation - Eleanor Parker.

I was pretty - so pretty that actresses didn't want to work with me.

My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised.

If I kept all my bad notices, I'd need two houses.

I've never received a nomination for an Academy Award - and that after I went to the trouble of learning two more facial expressions.

[on saving Elstree Studios]: Hertsmere Council extended it a lifeline when it needed it most, and invested heavily. Now that they are seekin...Show more »

[on saving Elstree Studios]: Hertsmere Council extended it a lifeline when it needed it most, and invested heavily. Now that they are seeking to pass on the ownership, I hope that an equally passionate and caring owner can be found; and help take the studio into one of the most exciting periods of film and new media production. Show less «

[Comparing his interpretation of "James Bond" to Sean Connery's] Sean's jokes come from left field and I let people know a joke was coming. ...Show more »

[Comparing his interpretation of "James Bond" to Sean Connery's] Sean's jokes come from left field and I let people know a joke was coming. I basically said "I'm have a good time doing this, and I hope you're having a good time watching me have a good time.". Show less «

[on For Your Eyes Only (1981)] I was starting to feel I was a bit long in the tooth even then.

Of course, I do my own stunts. And I also do my own lying.

I suppose I was just window-dressing at MGM. You might call me Taylor's dummy. I wore Walter Plunkett's costumes beautifully though. I was t...Show more »

I suppose I was just window-dressing at MGM. You might call me Taylor's dummy. I wore Walter Plunkett's costumes beautifully though. I was the last of the Englishmen, after Edmund Purdom and Stewart Granger, both of whom had been giving them trouble in Hollywood. I very quickly learned that I had to be highly humble and obsequious and grovel a lot. Show less «

[on finally deciding to leave the role of James Bond after seven 007 movies] I think it was the interminable farewell tour of the variety ar...Show more »

[on finally deciding to leave the role of James Bond after seven 007 movies] I think it was the interminable farewell tour of the variety artists, you know? You can't keep on saying that you're not doing any more and then doing another one. So I just had to say that was it. I had done enough. I mean, for the last three I was getting a little restless. But I had an absolute splendid time doing the Bond films. I played a lot of backgammon, managed to steal a lot of wardrobe, and got well paid. Nothing could beat it! (Interview with author David Giammarco, "For Your Eyes Only: Behind the Scenes of the James Bond Films") Show less «

[on A View to a Kill (1985)] I was horrified on the last Bond I did. Whole slews of sequences where Christopher Walken was machine-gunning h...Show more »

[on A View to a Kill (1985)] I was horrified on the last Bond I did. Whole slews of sequences where Christopher Walken was machine-gunning hundreds of people. I said "That wasn't Bond, those weren't Bond films." It stopped being what they were all about. You didn't dwell on the blood and the brains spewing all over the place. Show less «

Sadly, I had to retire from the Bond films. The girls were getting younger, or I was just getting too old.

I have no idea. I had never met Ian Fleming, but I remember when the search for Bond was going on. I really wasn't aware of Bond until then....Show more »

I have no idea. I had never met Ian Fleming, but I remember when the search for Bond was going on. I really wasn't aware of Bond until then. I was doing The Saint (1962) and The Daily Express was conducting a search for Bond. However, since I was involved with The Saint (1962) I would not have been available, although Cubby told me later that I had been on 'the short list.' (when asked if Ian Fleming had originally considered him for the role of James Bond) Show less «

It used to take them hours and hours in make-up to give me character. Now I've got the character, they take it all out.

I like Bond. But it's silly to take it seriously. It's just a great big comic strip.

[on A View to a Kill (1985)] I was only about four hundred years too old for the part.

People don't realize how physically demanding the role is. I'm still amazed how many people ask me to this day if I did my own stunts. I tel...Show more »

People don't realize how physically demanding the role is. I'm still amazed how many people ask me to this day if I did my own stunts. I tell them if I did or Sean did or Pierce did then we would have been physically dead by the end of the first reel of every film! Show less «

Sean and I never discussed our experiences... not even with the leading ladies! Actors don't really sit around discussing the parts they've ...Show more »

Sean and I never discussed our experiences... not even with the leading ladies! Actors don't really sit around discussing the parts they've played -- just in case someone says, "That was crap!". Show less «

I have seen Daniel Craig in a number of films. He is a thundering good actor. The movie Casino Royale (2006) showed me that he is one hell o...Show more »

I have seen Daniel Craig in a number of films. He is a thundering good actor. The movie Casino Royale (2006) showed me that he is one hell of an athlete. Show less «

I am disappointed by what is happening today in television. We seem to have gone into an age of cruelty where everything is put down. Even I...Show more »

I am disappointed by what is happening today in television. We seem to have gone into an age of cruelty where everything is put down. Even I notice dear Cilla Black has got a new format. Now they have 'ditch' - a poor girl comes up and if you don't like her face, get rid of her. I think it's absolutely terrible. It's appalling. It's humiliating. Show less «

I've not planned my funeral. I'm not the Queen. A procession through the streets of Stockwell would be nice, I suppose. But when I go, I'd j...Show more »

I've not planned my funeral. I'm not the Queen. A procession through the streets of Stockwell would be nice, I suppose. But when I go, I'd just like everyone to say: "He lived longer than anyone I knew.". Show less «

The wonderful thing about age is that your knees don't work as well, you can't run down steps quite as easily and obviously you can't lift h...Show more »

The wonderful thing about age is that your knees don't work as well, you can't run down steps quite as easily and obviously you can't lift heavy weights. But your mind doesn't feel any different. I read the obituary columns and I think "Oh goodness, he was only 93!". Show less «

As a child, I had mumps and the measles. Chickenpox. Tonsils out. I didn't learn the alphabet until I was 11. I was circumcised at eight. Mu...Show more »

As a child, I had mumps and the measles. Chickenpox. Tonsils out. I didn't learn the alphabet until I was 11. I was circumcised at eight. Much better than having it done later, like my old friend in the army, Captain Hornby of the Royal Artillery. Afterwards I said to Matron, "You can't call Hornby 'old cock' anymore!". Show less «

I'm the worst Bond, according to the Internet. Generally hated! I was too funny, too light. Didn't take it seriously enough. Well, I mean, t...Show more »

I'm the worst Bond, according to the Internet. Generally hated! I was too funny, too light. Didn't take it seriously enough. Well, I mean, this is a man who is supposed to be a spy. And yet he turns up in bars and hotels around the world, and everyone says, "Ah, Mr. Bond, we've been expecting you." Everybody knows who he is and what he wants to drink. It's the same with the Bond girls. All the new ones say, "Oh, I'm going to be different from the others", but before long it's always the same - "Oh, James!". Show less «

[on Quantum of Solace (2008)] I am happy to have done it, but I'm sad that it has turned so violent. That's keeping up with the times, it's ...Show more »

[on Quantum of Solace (2008)] I am happy to have done it, but I'm sad that it has turned so violent. That's keeping up with the times, it's what cinema-goers seem to want and it's proved by the box-office figures. Show less «

Of course, I was getting long in the tooth. I was 58 when I finished. My god, Gary Cooper was seemingly an old man when he was about 56 doin...Show more »

Of course, I was getting long in the tooth. I was 58 when I finished. My god, Gary Cooper was seemingly an old man when he was about 56 doing Love in the Afternoon (1957) with Audrey Hepburn. And I started to realize. When the leading ladies came in and they were younger than my daughter, I thought "Hmm, this is getting on a bit." And then... God, I could have had them as granddaughters. It becomes rather disgusting - dirty old man. Well, I still got paid, and had a lot of laughs. I didn't regret any of it. I note that occasionally when I look at the Internet and I've typed in a reference and then suddenly up comes my name again and then I see the blogs where people write that I was too light and I was too old. Show less «

I would love to be remembered as one of the greatest Lears or Hamlets. But, as that's not going to happen, I'm quite happy I did Bond.

[on his knighthood] I am so proud to be the recipient of this great honour. I accept this title on behalf of the many thousands of volunteer...Show more »

[on his knighthood] I am so proud to be the recipient of this great honour. I accept this title on behalf of the many thousands of volunteers and workers at Unicef who dedicate their lives to helping the millions of children in need around the world today. Show less «

Lew (Lew Grade) was quite simply a gem. When he was at the height of his powers his energy was enormous. He would get off a plane without an...Show more »

Lew (Lew Grade) was quite simply a gem. When he was at the height of his powers his energy was enormous. He would get off a plane without any jet lag and just go straight to work. His health regime consisted of never having butter and smoking cigars all day long. Show less «

I like to play things for humour. Particularly as I was playing a hero because I consider myself to be devoutly unheroic to the extent of be...Show more »

I like to play things for humour. Particularly as I was playing a hero because I consider myself to be devoutly unheroic to the extent of being a sheer coward. I think any heroism I have is the fact that I did things physically that I was absolutely petrified of doing. Show less «

I was as surprised as everyone else was to be cast as Bond, particularly since I was already forty-five at the time.

[on the death of his friend and The Persuaders! (1971) co-star Tony Curtis] He'll be remembered as a very good actor when people start refle...Show more »

[on the death of his friend and The Persuaders! (1971) co-star Tony Curtis] He'll be remembered as a very good actor when people start reflecting on the amount of work he did both in drama and comedy. He certainly was wonderful in Some Like It Hot (1959) and he was quite brilliant in The Boston Strangler (1968) and in the film that he did with Sidney Poitier, The Defiant Ones (1958). Show less «

[on why he took the role of James Bond] When I was a young actor at RADA, Noël Coward was in the audience one night. He said to me after th...Show more »

[on why he took the role of James Bond] When I was a young actor at RADA, Noël Coward was in the audience one night. He said to me after the play, "Young man, with your devastating good looks and your disastrous lack of talent, you should take any job ever offered you. In the event that you're offered two jobs simultaneously, take the one that offers the most money." Here I am. Show less «

[on leaving the role of James Bond] I left the role when I realized that my female co-stars had mothers who were younger than I was.

[on Quantum of Solace (2008)_] I didn't like the last Bond film, it was like a long, disjointed commercial.

Sean (Sean Connery) is a good actor, it's a pity I can't understand what he's saying.

I'm a Conservative. I always have been. Most young people that were brought up with parents who were in jobs like the police force are Conse...Show more »

I'm a Conservative. I always have been. Most young people that were brought up with parents who were in jobs like the police force are Conservative in their thinking. You don't have to be rich, wealthy, high income to be Conservative. I just think that Conservatism is the way to run a country. Show less «

I would have been very upset if we had had to take the Queen off our currency. They'd probably have to take her off the stamps and everythin...Show more »

I would have been very upset if we had had to take the Queen off our currency. They'd probably have to take her off the stamps and everything. I am British and I'm fiercely independent and I think we should be independent. Show less «

I jokingly said once that the reason the banks were in trouble, particularly the Royal Bank of Scotland, was that Sean Connery had drawn out...Show more »

I jokingly said once that the reason the banks were in trouble, particularly the Royal Bank of Scotland, was that Sean Connery had drawn out all his money in cash. Show less «

I come back to England often enough not to miss it, to see the changes, to find some of the changes good. I paid my taxes at the time that I...Show more »

I come back to England often enough not to miss it, to see the changes, to find some of the changes good. I paid my taxes at the time that I was earning a decent income, so I've already paid my due. Show less «

(Asked what would make him return to the United Kingdom) Being able to afford a house in the country. I would come back like a shot.

I seem to replace everyone.

[what it was like working with Grace Jones on A View to a Kill (1985)] I've always said if you've nothing nice to say about someone, then yo...Show more »

[what it was like working with Grace Jones on A View to a Kill (1985)] I've always said if you've nothing nice to say about someone, then you should say nothing. So I'll say nothing about Grace Jones. Show less «

[after witnessing the poverty in foreign countries] I can never leave the tap running while cleaning my teeth.

If I can use what celebrity I have to open doors for the betterment of children's lives, than my career in movies has produced an added bonu...Show more »

If I can use what celebrity I have to open doors for the betterment of children's lives, than my career in movies has produced an added bonus. I have now been working with UNICEF for 19 years and have yet to meet a hard-headed person in the organization. Show less «

Food has always been a passion of mine - see the waistline for proof.

I've often been asked what I might like my epitaph to be. Well that's easy. I've no intention of going anywhere so won't need one!

UNICEF is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.

[on being awarded Knighthood for his charity work] I am doubly proud because this is an acknowledgment of UNICEF, an organization I am honor...Show more »

[on being awarded Knighthood for his charity work] I am doubly proud because this is an acknowledgment of UNICEF, an organization I am honored to work for. Show less «

I loved Casino Royale (2006) and Daniel Craig. He is a wonderful actor, certainly the best actor to play Bond. I have never been guilty of m...Show more »

I loved Casino Royale (2006) and Daniel Craig. He is a wonderful actor, certainly the best actor to play Bond. I have never been guilty of method acting or even acting if you want to argue a point. Show less «

Bond is an enigmatic character. My only real clue to his personality was a line from one of the books, where he said that he didn't particul...Show more »

Bond is an enigmatic character. My only real clue to his personality was a line from one of the books, where he said that he didn't particularly enjoy killing people, but he took pride in doing it well. So that was how I played him. Show less «

[on George Lazenby] Well, Lazenby had a big disadvantage in that he hadn't been an actor before, but he was a model. He did look good, and t...Show more »

[on George Lazenby] Well, Lazenby had a big disadvantage in that he hadn't been an actor before, but he was a model. He did look good, and that is how he came into the role. Show less «

Of course, I do not regret the Bond days. I regret that sadly heroes in general are depicted with guns in their hands, and to tell the truth...Show more »

Of course, I do not regret the Bond days. I regret that sadly heroes in general are depicted with guns in their hands, and to tell the truth, I have always hated guns and what they represent. Show less «

(on David Cameron) I think he's doing absolutely wonderfully well, despite the opposition from many members of his own party. Traitors, I ca...Show more »

(on David Cameron) I think he's doing absolutely wonderfully well, despite the opposition from many members of his own party. Traitors, I call them. I mean any hardliner within the Conservative Party who speaks out against their leader. You should support your leader. Show less «

I do not have time to sit down and regret anything although sometimes I wish I had been able to see more of my parents while they were alive...Show more »

I do not have time to sit down and regret anything although sometimes I wish I had been able to see more of my parents while they were alive and have done more for them. Show less «

(on the Russian population of Monaco) I'm afraid we're overstuffed with Russians. All the restaurant menus are in Russian now.

(on Die Another Day (2002)) I thought it just went too far - and that's from me, the first Bond in space! Invisible cars and dodgy CGI foota...Show more »

(on Die Another Day (2002)) I thought it just went too far - and that's from me, the first Bond in space! Invisible cars and dodgy CGI footage? Please! They gave the public what they wanted, though maybe they too realised there was only so far they could push it before Bond became a caricature of himself, and the funeral directors were called in. Show less «

Of course I have great pride in being English. We were brought up with the idea that 'We are the best', which is not quite true. I'm proud t...Show more »

Of course I have great pride in being English. We were brought up with the idea that 'We are the best', which is not quite true. I'm proud to be British. I said English, but I meant British. Show less «

So I did four films with MGM with my face never moving. I went on to make the Saint TV series and no-one was telling me I couldn't do this o...Show more »

So I did four films with MGM with my face never moving. I went on to make the Saint TV series and no-one was telling me I couldn't do this or that. I've got three expressions - left eyebrow up, right eyebrow up, both eyebrows up together. They always say that I'm the one eyebrow actor, which is true. I don't do it so much these days. I find gravity weighs things down and it's much more difficult. Show less «

I wouldn't want to get into a fist fight with Sean. He's big.

[on Daniel Craig playing James Bond]I think we're very lucky to have him because he is quite extraordinary. I always say that Sean Connery l...Show more »

[on Daniel Craig playing James Bond]I think we're very lucky to have him because he is quite extraordinary. I always say that Sean Connery looked like a killer but Daniel Craig would finish it off. Show less «

[on seeing Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (2006)]I thought that he did more action in the first seven minutes than I did in seven movies!

[on Tanya Roberts] If you can't say anything good about someone, don't say anything at all... I won't say anything.

[on his battle with pneumonia] It took them quite a while to discover the right antibiotic. I had so many antibiotics pumped into me and was...Show more »

[on his battle with pneumonia] It took them quite a while to discover the right antibiotic. I had so many antibiotics pumped into me and was bed-bound, and it ended up I had to be taught to walk, literally. And also my hair started to fall out rapidly, which it has done ever since. Show less «