From Connery to Craig, All the Actors Who've Played James Bond

Following the news that Aaron Taylor-Johnson just might be the next 007, here's a look back at all the actors who have stepped into the iconic role

Over the course of more than 60 years, seven actors have had the opportunity to bring James Bond to life on screen.

And now, after Daniel Craig gave his last performance as 007 in No Time To Die, it appears there might be a new actor gearing up to step into that iconic pair of very nice shoes.

In March 2024, it was reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the role. Per the U.K. newspaper The Sun, the actor will sign the contract this week.

From Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan, see all the actors who have played James Bond.

Sean Connery

The late Sean Connery originated the big-screen role of 007 in 1962, with the franchise’s first film, Dr. No. He went on to star in the following four films — From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice — from 1963 through 1967, before taking a hiatus from the series.

Connery took a break from the spy for one installment, with George Lazenby stepping in for a single-movie stint as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969. But the Scottish-born actor — who died in 2020 — ended his hiatus for Diamonds Are Forever in 1971 and Never Say Never Again in 1983.

David Niven

James Bond author Ian Fleming initially wanted David Niven to play his famed spy. And though Connery won the first film role, Fleming eventually got to see Niven play the part in the 1967 adaptation of Casino Royale.

By contrast to his fellow Bonds, the late Niven was one of the older stars to become the spy. He was 56 when he starred in the film alongside Peter Sellers and Woody Allen.

George Lazenby

Though George Lazenby only made one appearance as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, his performance did earn him a nomination for new star of the year at 1970's Golden Globes.

While his time as Bond was short-lived, he took part in a 2017 Hulu documentary about the role that catapulted his career, called Becoming Bond. 

Roger Moore

Roger More stepped into the role of James Bond on seven separate occasions — a record held only by Connery himself. His first film was 1973's Live and Let Die before he took his final spin in 1985's A View to Kill.

When Moore died in 2017 at the age of 89, Pierce Brosnan — who would later take on the role of Bond — paid tribute to the actor, whom he called his “first real hero" in an essay for Variety

When describing Moore's performance as 007, Brosnan said he portrayed the character “with exceptional skill and comic timing laced with a stiletto vengeance.”

Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton played Bond in just two films: 1987's The Living Daylights and 1989's License to Kill. As it turns out, Dalton was supposed to star in three Bond films but due to a legal dispute between Eon Productions and MGM, his tenure was cut short, per The Week. "Because of the lawsuit, I was free of the contract," he told the outlet.

When it was time for production to start back up on what would have been his third film, he said the producer approached him and asked if he would want to be a part of it.

" 'Well, I've actually changed my mind a little bit. I think that I'd love to do one. Try and take the best of the two that I have done, and consolidate them into a third,' " he remembered telling the producer. "And he said, quite rightly, 'Look, Tim. You can't do one. There's no way, after a five-year gap between movies that you can come back and just do one. You'd have to plan on four or five.' And I thought, oh, no, that would be the rest of my life. Too much. Too long. So I respectfully declined."

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan began his tenure as Bond in 1995's Golden Eye and ended with 2002's Die Another Day. Though Brosnan was keen to do a fifth film, the actor explained that his departure was due to producers looking to refresh the franchise.

“There’s no regret. I do not let regret come into my world … It just leads to more misery and more regrets,” he told The Guardian in 2020.

“Bond is the gift that keeps giving and has allowed me to have a wonderful career," he added. "Once you’re branded as a Bond, it’s with you for ever, so you better make peace with it and you’d better understand that when you walk through those doors and pick up the mantle of playing James Bond."

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig suited up as the legendary spy for five films starting with 2006's Casino Royale.

Before his departure from the franchise, Craig opened up about his feelings on being a part of the decades-long legacy.

“This may be hard to believe,” Craig told The Sunday Times, “but I love the fact I’m Bond. We’re in rare air, making Bond movies. It is one of the most intense, fulfilling things I’ve ever done, but it takes a lot of energy and I’m getting old. I’m getting creaky.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

After Craig confirmed in 2019 that No Time To Die would be his last Bond film, fans began to wonder who would take over the iconic role. Though it took many years to become clear, in March 2024 it was reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson was formally offered the part.

The U.K. newspaper The Sun, said the actor will sign a contract this week, with a source telling the outlet that “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it.”

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