James Bond stars have paid tribute to one of Britain’s best-loved actors after his death last week.
Roger Moore, the fourth actor to take up the iconic role of the secret-service agent, was revered by fans, remembered perhaps most fondly for his comedic take on the role. Appearing in seven from films from 1973 to 1985, he was also the longest serving Bond, and the first to sadly pass away, aged 89.
Pierce Brosnan, who later took on the role himself, wrote an emotive tribute to his predecessor in Variety. He stated that Moore had been a real inspiration to him as a child, and that he was the one actor he’d asked for an autograph.
‘Little did I know my time would come to someday enter onto the stage as 007.’
When he did take on the role himself, Brosnan’s admiration for the actor had not diminished. Drawing on a memory of the pair meeting on set, he added ‘’Roger came down to set one day on “GoldenEye” and wished me well. I was still in awe of the man.’
His portrayal of the world-famous character has touched many, and he’s notably remembered for his one-liners and light-hearted divergence from Sean Connery’s depiction of the role.
It is perhaps fitting, therefore, that when asked about how he’d spend his final 24 hours, he claimed he’d make a martini.
“If I was told I had 24 hours to live, I would have a dry martini – made with Tanqueray gin and three olives on the side,” he told the Telegraph in 2013.
Others who paid tribute to the late actor included former Bond girls Madeline Smith and Caroline Munri who also recalled fond memories of working alongside Moore on set. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Madeline mentioned his relaxed demeanour and stated rather than mourning his passing “he would want us to rejoice.”
Caroline also echoed this sentiment, expressing her fondness of Moore as an actor as well as an individual. “He had a way of putting the cast and the crew at ease,” she stated.
As well as his successful acting career, Moore also spent much of his time being a goodwill ambassador for Unicef and was well respected for his charity work. His family stated that he considered this to be his ‘greatest achievement’.
Moore passed away aged 89 on the 23 May 2017, following a ‘short but brave battle with cancer’.
He leaves behind his fourth wife and three children from his third marriage. His family has stated that a private funeral will be held in Monaco, in line with Moore’s wishes.
