All 7 James Bond Actors Ranked by How Many Movies They Were In

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Everyone’s wondering who will play James Bond next! While we know the team making the next movie – the writer, director, and producers – the new 007 remains a mystery. Who will wear the tuxedo, drive the famous Aston Martin, and charm those captivating women? Luckily, with 27 Bond films already made, fans can always revisit the classic adventures whenever they miss the iconic spy.

Over the years, seven actors have played James Bond in movies: Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. While each actor brings their own take on the role, they generally stay true to the character created by Ian Fleming in the original books – a sophisticated, pleasure-seeking man with a taste for style and fast cars. However, some of the more outdated aspects of Bond’s personality, like his heavy smoking and sexist attitudes, have been toned down over time.

Here is how many times each actor got to portray James Bond.

7
David Niven

1 Movie

Most people don’t realize David Niven played James Bond in the 1967 film, Casino Royale. As Jeremy Black explains in his book, The Politics of James Bond, Niven was actually Ian Fleming’s original choice for the role. However, Eon Productions ultimately preferred Sean Connery. The studio couldn’t create a straightforward adaptation of Casino Royale because producer Charles K. Feldman decided to make a comedic take on the story starring Niven, which came out in April 1967 – just before Sean Connery’s fifth Bond movie, You Only Live Twice.

The Coolest Englishman

David Niven was strikingly handsome and sophisticated, making him a natural fit for James Bond. Many believe he would have been a successful Bond if given the opportunity. His personal life was almost as exciting as the character; his ex-wife revealed he had numerous affairs with actresses, flight attendants, and waitresses, and even with Princess Margaret, which led to the Queen disliking him and refusing to bestow an honor upon him. Interestingly, Niven is the only actor to have been directly named in one of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels. In You Only Live Twice, the character Kissy Suzuki specifically states that Niven was the only man in Hollywood she liked and the only one who treated her with respect.

6
George Lazenby

1 Movie

Sean Connery played James Bond in the first five films, but then decided to stop, leaving producers searching for a replacement. A documentary, Inside On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, reveals that producer Albert R. Broccoli first encountered George Lazenby—who would become the next Bond—at a barbershop, though they didn’t speak much at the time. Later, Broccoli spotted Lazenby in a Big Fry commercial and thought he had the potential to play Bond, so he asked him to do a screen test. The rest, as they say, is history.

A Premature Exit

With beautiful descriptions of settings, sounds, and emotions – and without any silly jokes – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service carefully balances atmosphere with exciting action. It’s a favorite Bond film for directors like Steven Soderbergh and Christopher Nolan, and George Lazenby gives a fantastic performance. It’s surprising, then, that Lazenby didn’t want to play Bond again. His agent reportedly convinced him that the character would feel outdated. You can hear the full story from Lazenby himself in his documentary, Becoming Bond, where some of his experiences seem unbelievable, yet are all true.

5
Timothy Dalton

2 Movies

The documentary Inside The Living Daylights shows that Bond producers had been trying to get Timothy Dalton to play James Bond for years. He was originally considered to replace Sean Connery, but he thought he wasn’t old enough at the time. Later, after Roger Moore stepped down, Dalton was offered the role, but he asked the producers, the Broccolis, to wait until he finished another film. They decided to cast Pierce Brosnan instead. Unfortunately, news of Brosnan’s casting leaked, and the producers of his TV show, Remington Steele, wouldn’t release him. This led the Broccolis to return to Dalton, who ultimately starred in two Bond films.

A Darker, Realistic Bond

Timothy Dalton was fantastic as James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill, both now considered classics of the spy genre. He brought a grittier, more intense feel to the character, likely because he was a devoted fan of Ian Fleming’s novels and often studied them while filming. Many viewers were disappointed when he didn’t continue in the role, and it almost happened – a third film was in early development in 1990. However, legal disputes between MGM/UA and Eon Productions put those plans on hold for four years. By the time GoldenEye was being planned, Dalton had moved on to other projects, leading the producers to recast with Pierce Brosnan.

4
Pierce Brosnan

4 Movies

Pierce Brosnan’s path to becoming James Bond started when he met producer Albert R. Broccoli while his wife, Cassandra Harris, was filming a role in For Your Eyes Only. They formed a connection, and Broccoli eventually offered him the iconic role. Interestingly, Brosnan’s TV show, Remington Steele, had just been canceled by NBC, but the news of his potential Bond casting actually boosted its ratings, leading the network to keep him on the show. Later, when issues that had prevented a continuation of Timothy Dalton’s Bond films were resolved, Broccoli remembered Brosnan and gave him another chance.

A Polarizing but Decent Run

While Pierce Brosnan isn’t typically ranked among the top James Bond actors, it’s often not his performance that’s the issue. He frequently struggled with weak scripts. Only GoldenEye is generally considered a good Bond film from his era. The others were inconsistent, which ultimately led the producers to decide a fresh start was necessary after Die Another Day. Nevertheless, Brosnan remains the definitive Bond for many, and he’s demonstrated his acting talent in numerous other roles. Fans who enjoy his suave style can find similar performances in other films starring the British actor.

3
Daniel Craig

5 Movies

When Daniel Craig was first cast as James Bond, some fans were upset. They didn’t think a blonde actor could play the role, and some felt he wasn’t muscular enough. However, once photos of him filming the famous beach scene were published, public opinion began to shift. After the release of Casino Royale, most people agreed he was perfect for the part. His journey to becoming Bond started when he met producer Barbara Broccoli at a funeral for casting director Mary Selway, who had previously given him a role in Love Is the Devil. He was hesitant when offered the role, but many, including former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, encouraged him to accept it.

A Faultless, Modern Bond

Similar to Dalton, Daniel Craig’s serious and intense portrayal of Bond resonated with a lot of viewers. Some even compared him to Jason Bourne, especially after Skyfall, where his powerful performance as a vulnerable Bond truly stood out. His roles in films like Queer and Knives Out demonstrated his range as an actor. It remains a mystery why his earlier work didn’t receive more attention.

Craig was the first James Bond actor to openly discuss the difficulties of the role. He admitted it was a demanding and often frustrating experience, even considering quitting after filming Spectre before being persuaded to continue. He frequently talked about the physical toll of being Bond, pointing out that it often resulted in significant injuries.

2
Sean Connery

6 Movies

Sean Connery, much like his iconic James Bond character, benefited greatly from the support of women. Initially, producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli doubted Connery’s acting talent, but his wife, Dana Broccoli, strongly believed he was perfect for the role. Author Ian Fleming also had reservations, feeling Connery didn’t fit his vision of James Bond and dismissing him as looking more like a stuntman. However, Fleming’s girlfriend, Blanche Blackwell, convinced him that Connery possessed the necessary sex appeal. Ultimately, Fleming was so impressed with Connery’s portrayal that he retroactively gave the Bond character Scottish ancestry in his novels.

The Greatest of Them All?

Sean Connery was a remarkably talented actor, as evidenced by his numerous awards, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA. He had a knack for crafting characters that felt familiar and relatable, allowing the audience to share in both the humor and the sadness. Connery’s acting choices were always clear and deliberate, and his comedic timing served to increase, rather than lessen, the dramatic tension. The American Film Institute ranked his portrayal of James Bond as the third-greatest hero in film history, a success he owed in part to the guidance of director Terence Young, who directed the first two Bond films.

Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny, remembered how director Terence Young mentored Sean Connery. Young guided him on everything from posture and speech to table manners. After Dr. No came out, Connery was flooded with fan mail and quickly became a major sex symbol. However, Connery grew frustrated with being constantly identified as James Bond. As his friend Michael Caine explained, people would simply shout, ‘Look, there’s James Bond!’ whenever he was out in public, which bothered him a lot. Fortunately, Connery eventually reprised the role in Diamonds are Forever after George Lazenby decided not to return, and he also starred in Never Say Never Again, a Bond film made outside of the main Eon series.

1
Roger Moore

7 Movies

Before becoming James Bond, Roger Moore was already a successful and acclaimed actor, largely thanks to his role as Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint. The character shared many similarities with Bond, and Moore’s excellent performance proved he had the skills to play a charismatic secret agent. While producers had been trying to cast him as Bond for a while, Moore only agreed after his show, The Persuaders, was canceled. He wasn’t thrilled about having to change his appearance for the role, as he was asked to cut his hair and lose weight.

Goofy but Iconic

Roger Moore is a popular actor, but his James Bond isn’t everyone’s favorite. His portrayal is over-the-top and dramatic, yet undeniably stylish and unique. While critics haven’t always loved his films, they were huge successes at the time, and his clever lines are still memorable. Some viewers even prefer this lighter, more humorous take on Bond over the more serious versions.

After seven films as Bond, I always felt Sir Roger Moore made the right call stepping down. He explained it was simply because he was getting too old to convincingly play opposite much younger leading ladies – he joked they could have been his granddaughters! It just didn’t feel right to him anymore, and I respect that. Honestly, I’d love to see the next Bond actor have a longer run than Sir Roger did, but we’ll see what happens.

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2025-10-27 00:36