Everyone has a favorite. Whether it’s the rugged charm of a 1960s Scotsman or the gritty, bruised-knuckle realism of the modern era, the question of who all played James Bond usually sparks a heated debate at the nearest pub. It’s not just about an actor taking a job. It’s about a cultural baton being passed through the decades.
Bond isn't just a character; he’s a mirror. He reflects what we think "cool" looks like at any given moment in history. When you look at the lineage, you see more than just a list of names. You see the evolution of masculinity, gadgetry, and global politics.
The Original Blueprint: Sean Connery
Sean Connery wasn't even Ian Fleming’s first choice. Fleming reportedly thought Connery was a "grown-up stuntman" who lacked the refinement of a naval commander. He wanted someone like Cary Grant. But once Dr. No hit screens in 1962, the world disagreed. Connery brought a panther-like grace to the role. He was dangerous. You actually believed he could kill a man with his bare hands and then immediately enjoy a high-end soufflé.
Connery’s run defined the tropes we now take for granted. The Aston Martin DB5, the Walther PPK, and that dry, cynical delivery. He played the role in six official Eon Productions films: Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, and Diamonds Are Forever.
There’s a weird footnote here, though. In 1983, he came back for Never Say Never Again. It’s not "official" because it wasn't produced by Eon, but it counts in the hearts of fans. It’s basically a remake of Thunderball featuring an older, slightly more tired Bond. Honestly, seeing a silver-haired Connery still outclassing everyone was kind of a vibe.
The Forgotten Pioneer: George Lazenby
If you’re talking about who all played James Bond, you can't skip the "one-hit wonder." George Lazenby was an Australian model with almost zero acting experience when he landed On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).
People hated him at the time. He wasn't Connery. But time has been incredibly kind to his legacy. Lazenby’s Bond was vulnerable. He fell in love. He actually got married. The film’s ending—where his bride, Tracy, is murdered—is arguably the most emotional moment in the entire franchise until the Daniel Craig era. Lazenby walked away from the role after just one movie, allegedly on the advice of his agent who thought the 007 brand was dying out. Talk about a bad career move.
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The Eyebrow and the Wit: Roger Moore
Then came the 70s. Things got weird. Roger Moore took over in Live and Let Die (1973) and stayed in the tux longer than anyone else, starring in seven films.
Moore’s Bond was less of a killer and more of a seasoned diplomat who happened to carry a gun. He leaned heavily into the camp. Think space battles in Moonraker and safaris in Octopussy. Moore knew the concept was ridiculous, and he played it with a wink. He was the "fun" Bond. While some purists find his era too lighthearted, he’s the reason the franchise survived the disco era and the rise of the blockbuster. He made Bond accessible to families.
The Shakespearean Assassin: Timothy Dalton
By the mid-80s, the producers realized the jokes were getting a bit stale. They needed a reset. Enter Timothy Dalton.
Dalton was a classically trained actor who actually read the Fleming novels. He wanted to bring back the "blunt instrument." In The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989), we got a Bond who was angry, vengeful, and seemingly suffered from PTSD. He was decades ahead of his time.
Audiences in 1989 weren't quite ready for a Bond who bled this much. Licence to Kill was dark—it featured a man being fed to a shark and another exploding in a decompression chamber. Because of legal battles between studios, Dalton never got a third film, which is a genuine shame. He laid the groundwork for the gritty realism we see today.
The Blockbuster Era: Pierce Brosnan
After a six-year hiatus, the world wondered if Bond was even relevant anymore. The Cold War was over. What does a spy do when the Iron Curtain falls?
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Pierce Brosnan was the answer. He was the perfect hybrid. He had Connery’s coolness, Moore’s looks, and a dash of Dalton’s intensity. GoldenEye (1995) was a massive hit. It proved that 007 could survive in a world of CGI and hacking. Brosnan’s era was defined by "The Big Action Movie" aesthetic. Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough were solid, though things went off the rails with Die Another Day. An invisible car? A villain who changes his DNA? It was Moore-era camp without the charm.
The Rebirth: Daniel Craig
In 2006, everything changed. When Daniel Craig was announced, the internet (which was still relatively young) hated it. "Bond is not blonde," they said. "He’s too short," they complained.
Then Casino Royale happened.
Craig stripped away the gadgets and the puns. He gave us a Bond who looked like he actually hurt after a fight. For the first time, we had a continuous narrative arc spanning five films: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die.
Craig’s Bond was a broken man trying to find a reason to do a dirty job. He gave the character a soul. His era ended with a definitive "full stop" that left fans wondering where the hell the franchise goes from here.
The Technicality: David Niven and the "Others"
If you want to be a real trivia nerd when discussing who all played James Bond, you have to mention the 1967 version of Casino Royale. It’s a satirical mess, but it stars David Niven as "Sir James Bond."
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There was also a 1954 television adaptation of Casino Royale where an American actor named Barry Nelson played "Jimmy Bond." He was a "Card Sense" American agent. It’s barely recognizable as the character we know, but historically, he was technically the first to play him on screen.
Why the Casting Matters for the Future
The search for the next Bond is always a circus. Names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Idris Elba are constantly tossed around by tabloids. But history shows us that the producers (the Broccoli family) rarely pick the person everyone expects. They look for someone who can inhabit the role for a decade.
The next actor won't just be playing a spy. They'll be carrying the weight of sixty years of cinema.
Actionable Insights for the Bond Fan
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of these actors and their impact, here are a few ways to experience the legacy properly:
- Watch the "Transition" Films: To see how the character evolves, watch Diamonds Are Forever followed immediately by Live and Let Die. The tonal shift is jarring but fascinating.
- Read the Source Material: If you want to see who "got it right," read Moonraker (the book). You'll realize Timothy Dalton was actually the closest to the literary version of the character.
- Check Out the Documentaries: Being James Bond (available on various streaming platforms) gives an incredible look at Daniel Craig's journey and the physical toll the role took on him.
- Visit the Exhibits: If you’re ever in London, the London Film Museum often hosts "Bond in Motion," featuring the actual vehicles used by these actors. Seeing the DB5 in person makes you realize how small and cramped those "glamorous" cars actually were.
The mantle of 007 is the most scrutinized role in Hollywood. Each actor who stepped into those Brioni suits brought something unique. Connery gave us the icon, Lazenby gave us the heart, Moore gave us the spectacle, Dalton gave us the edge, Brosnan gave us the polish, and Craig gave us the humanity. Whoever is next has some incredibly large shoes—and very expensive shoes—to fill.