From Connery to Craig: James Bond through the ages
His name is Bond, James Bond. While the name hasn't changed, Daniel Craig's 007 has undergone a radical transformation. Here's a look back at the men who were on Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Immortalized in wax
From chauvinist to antihero: The movie version of 007 has been on Her Majesty's Service for almost 60 years. The creators have repeatedly reinvented the character, adapting Bond to the spirit of the times. In Berlin's Madame Tussauds wax museum, you can admire all six actors who have played Bond (from l-r): Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Pierce Brosnan.
The original James Bond: Sean Connery
For many, the Scotsman born in 1930 embodied the true spirit of James Bond. He played Agent 007 for the first time in 1962, hunting down Dr. No. Fun Fact: Author Ian Fleming, Bond's creator, initially found Connery too "coarse and peasant-like." That was until he saw him onscreen for the first time. Connery played the super-spy seven times, and helped make the series a worldwide success.
Bond: the womanizer
New viewers may find the initial Bonds a little behind time. Connery's Bond was a chauvinist who had several women fawning over him in every film. Resistance was often futile. Cary Fukunaga, director of the newest Bond film, pointed out in an interview with "The Hollywood Reporter" that some scenes were rape. "She says, 'No, no, no,' and he says, 'Yes, yes, yes.' That wouldn't work today."
The model Bond: George Lazenby
Sean Connery left big shoes to fill. Australian George Lazenby played 007 only once in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969). The former model however failed to convince producers and audiences. For "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), Sean Connery returned to Her Majesty's service for a record fee.
The humorous Bond: Roger Moore
Roger Moore, seen here (right) in "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974), was just as popular with Bond fans as Sean Connery. With his smug humor and casual elegance, Moore's secret agent was less brutal than his predecessor's. However, he was very much the ladies' man, with women pandering to Bond's advances in all the seven films he starred in.
The tough Bond: Timothy Dalton
Theater and film actor Timothy Dalton's Bond was much drier and humorless than his predecessors. Although "The Living Daylights" was a box office hit in 1987, "Licence to Kill" failed to match this success two years later. Thus the Welshman dropped out because of licensing disputes after only two films.
The slick Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan's Bond through the 1990s channeled the spirit of the 1950s. Always smartly dressed, smooth and handsome, he possessed neither Connery's raw masculinity, nor Moore's humor. Nevertheless, the Irishman was a hit with the public and played Agent 007 five times.
The vulnerable Bond: Daniel Craig
When Daniel Craig first stepped into the role of the double agent in 2006, he raised eyebrows: James Bond nursing a broken heart? Complete with flaws, doubts and real feelings? Craig ushered in a new era for 007, and his four outings as Bond have all been box office hits. Not surprisingly, fans are eagerly awaiting his fifth and final film, "No Time to Die."