Roger Moore, an English actor most notoriously known for his role as James Bond in seven films, has passed away in Switzerland at age 89 after a brief battle with cancer. The announcement was given by his family on Twitter, as seen below.
With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated. pic.twitter.com/6dhiA6dnVg
— Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) May 23, 2017
Moore was more than an actor, he was an icon that boosted the James Bond franchise to new heights. He was a cheerful soul whose presence lifted the spirits of those around him. Most impressively, Moore was in the most Bond films compared to any other actor who took up the mantle, including Sean Connery. His roles included those in 1973’s Live and Let Die, 1974’s The Man With the Golden Gun, 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, 1979’s Moonraker, 1981’s For Your Eyes Only, 1983’s Octopussy, and 1985’s A View to a Kill. The latter film was the last time he used his humorous charm to shed a different light on the 007 character.
Moore began his James Bond career after he was asked to join Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1972. One year later, Moore was given his first part as James Bond in the 1973 film, Live and Let Die. He had always been involved, in some way or another, with British intelligence. In 1945, he was called up for national service. After basic training, though, he was asked to join the Intelligence Corps.
Roger Moore didn’t just act in the seven different James Bond films, but he also stretched his talent to the small screen and other big screen projects. He starred in the show Ivanhoe, a short series based on the book of the same name by Walter Scott, from 1958-59. Other small screen roles include that of Silky Harris in The Alaskans from 1959-60 and Beauregarde Maverick in Maverick from 1960-61 (he replaced James Garner as the lead role). His natural ability to humor and charm the people around him was something he was known for throughout his life. These qualities even helped him win over unwelcoming cast and crew of Maverick. His most famous small screen role was that of Simon Templar in The Saint from 1962-69, an 118 episode stint of brilliance.
The cheerful qualities Roger Moore possessed didn’t just stick with him throughout his acting career, but also with how he lived his life. In 1991, Moore became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, advocating primarily for children’s causes. Because of his work with UNICEF, Moore was honored by the British government with the title Commander of the British Empire. Clearly, he was a man that lived his life to the fullest. It’s important to remember the celebrities that did more for the world than just act out on-screen; it’s important to remember that their true colors sometimes remain to be seen. For Roger Moore, it was clear how much he cared for the world around him.
