James Bond actors in order

James Bond is the longest-running film franchise in the history of cinema. The franchise is based on a series of novels by Ian Fleming. The first novel by Ian Fleming was Casino Royale, published in 1953, where the James Bond character was first introduced. James Bond is a secret agent with the codename 007, working under MI6. Dr. No is the first film in the James Bond series, released in 1962, directed by Terence Young, and produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli. The Bond film franchise consists of 27 films in total, and 7 different actors have portrayed James Bond on screen since 1962.

Eon Productions holds the rights to all Ian Fleming James Bond novels, and they have produced the majority of the James Bond films, except for two. The Bond films, released between 1962 and 2021, have been fan favorites for decades, praised for their thrilling action, iconic characters, and memorable storytelling. Over the years, the film series has received many awards and nominations, including 6 Academy Awards, 1 Golden Globe Award, and 1 BAFTA, among others. The series has become one of the highest-grossing and most influential in film history.

James Bond Actors By Order

1. Sean Connery

Sean Connery was a Scottish actor, born on August 25, 1930, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was cast in Dr. No (1962) as the first James Bond. He played Bond’s character in seven films. He was in Dr. No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), and Diamond Are Forever (1971), all of these are Eon Productions. He also starred in Never Say Never Again (1983) as James Bond but this one was for a non-Eon Production. The American Film Institute chose James Bond portrayed by Sean Connery as the third greatest hero in cinema history in 2003.

2. David Niven

David Niven was a British actor born on 1 March 1910, in London, England. David Niven played the role of James Bond in Casino Royale (1967), directed by John Huston and Ken Hughes and produced by Charles K. Feldmen. It was a non-Eon production. David was also the choice of Ian Fleming for the James Bond role as David fit the role perfectly according to him. Casino Royale was not a typical James Bond film, it was more of a parody spy film. The movie was a spoof of the spy genre, and featured multiple actors playing variations of "James Bond," but Niven’s performance stood out for its charm and humor. The movie shows James Bond as an older and retired spy.

3. George Lazenby

George Robert Lazenby is an Australian actor born on 5 September 1939, in New South Wales, Australia. He played James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). The film was directed by Peter R. Hunt and it is the only Bond film he directed. George Lazenby was chosen by Eon Productions to play James Bond after Sean Connery decided to retire from the role. George played James Bond only once and announced during the filming of On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) that he would not play the role again. He showed Bond's emotional side, especially in the film’s romantic story and its sad ending, where Bond married Tracy (Diana Rigg) but loses her when she is killed. George Lazenby was also nominated for a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year for his portrayal of James Bond.

4. Roger Moore

Roger Moore was a British actor born on 14 October 1927 in London, England. He was the 3rd actor to play the role of James Bond in Eon Productions. Roger Moore played James Bond’s character in 7 films. He was in Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985). Roger Moore is the only actor who acted in 7 James Bond films made by Eon Productions. Roger Moore’s final appearance in A View to a Kill (1985) marked the end of an era. He was 58 years old when he made his final Bond film, making him the oldest actor to play the role.

5. Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton is a British actor born on 21 March 1946, in Denbighshire, Wales. He was the 4th actor to play James Bond in the Eon Productions Bond films. Timothy played the role of James Bond in two films - The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence To Kill (1989). Both of the films Timothy Dalton starred in were directed by John Glen. Timothy's portrayal of James Bond was more darker and serious, his focus was less on charm and humor. Although his films were not as commercially successful at the time, they have gained appreciation over the years for their authenticity and depth. His time as James Bond was short but he was appreciated for his performance as Bond.

6. Pierce Bonson

Pierce Brendan Bonson is an Irish actor and producer born on 16 May 1953 in County Louth, Ireland. He was the 5th actor to portray James Bond for Eon Productions. He was in four James Bond films - GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). Pierce Bonson signed a contract for only 3 films and one as optional, and he proceeded to do four films. He also wished to do one last film as James Bond but it didn’t happen and he left the franchise. His portrayal of Bond had a modern touch, featuring the latest gadgets, as he joined the franchise in the late 1990s. He was also praised for introducing James Bond to a new generation in a fresh way. Pierce Brosnan brought new life to the James Bond series mixing the charm and wit of Sean Connery with the class of Roger Moore. His films included both traditional spy stories and high-tech action, making his version of Bond popular and well-loved by fans.

7. Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig is a British actor born on 2 March 1968, in Cheshire, England. He was the 6th and the most recent actor to play the role of James Bond for Eon Productions. Daniel Craig became James Bond in 2006 with Casino Royale and played the role in four more films including Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021). His version of Bond was more serious, emotional, and realistic, showing a tougher and more sensitive side of the character. Craig’s debut in Casino Royale was a huge success and helped refresh the Bond franchise for a modern audience. Skyfall (2012) became the highest-grossing Bond film ever, earning over $1 billion at the box office and winning 2 Oscars. Craig was praised for his acting and received several award nominations, including a BAFTA nomination for Casino Royale. His final film, No Time to Die (2021), gave Bond an emotional ending, making Craig’s portrayal of Bond one of the most memorable and critically acclaimed in the series' history. After the release of No Time to Die (2021), Daniel has said goodbye to the James Bond franchise.