From Connery to Craig, All the Actors Who've Played James Bond

Mar. 15, 2025

Sean Connery, Daniel Craig and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.Photo:Bob Penn/Sygma via Getty; Jay Maidment/Eon/Danjaq/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

Bob Penn/Sygma via Getty; Jay Maidment/Eon/Danjaq/Sony/Kobal/Shutterstock; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

Over the course of more than 60 years, seven actors have had the opportunity to bringJames Bondto life on screen.And now, afterDaniel Craiggave his last performance as 007 inNo Time To Die, it appears there might be a new actor gearing up to step into that iconic pair of very nice shoes.In March 2024, it was reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the role. Per the U.K. newspaperThe Sun, the actorwill sign the contract this week.FromSean ConnerytoPierce Brosnan, see all the actors who have played James Bond.

Over the course of more than 60 years, seven actors have had the opportunity to bringJames Bondto life on screen.

And now, afterDaniel Craiggave his last performance as 007 inNo Time To Die, it appears there might be a new actor gearing up to step into that iconic pair of very nice shoes.

In March 2024, it was reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the role. Per the U.K. newspaperThe Sun, the actorwill sign the contract this week.

FromSean ConnerytoPierce Brosnan, see all the actors who have played James Bond.

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Sean Connery

Sean Connery as James Bond.Courtesy Everett Collection

Courtesy Everett Collection

The lateSean Conneryoriginated the big-screen role of 007 in 1962, with the franchise’s first film,Dr. No. He went on to star in the following four films —From Russia with Love,Goldfinger,ThunderballandYou Only Live Twice— from 1963 through 1967, before taking a hiatus from the series.

02of 08David NivenDavid Niven as James Bond.Silver Screen Collection/GettyJames BondauthorIan Fleminginitially wanted David Niven to play his famed spy. And though Connery won the first film role, Fleming eventually got to see Niven play the part in the 1967 adaptation ofCasino Royale.By contrast to his fellow Bonds, the late Niven was one of the older stars to become the spy. He was 56 when he starred in the film alongsidePeter SellersandWoody Allen.

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David Niven

David Niven as James Bond.Silver Screen Collection/Getty

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

James BondauthorIan Fleminginitially wanted David Niven to play his famed spy. And though Connery won the first film role, Fleming eventually got to see Niven play the part in the 1967 adaptation ofCasino Royale.

By contrast to his fellow Bonds, the late Niven was one of the older stars to become the spy. He was 56 when he starred in the film alongsidePeter SellersandWoody Allen.

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While his time as Bond was short-lived, he took part in a 2017Huludocumentary about the role that catapulted his career, calledBecoming Bond.

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Roger Moore

Roger Moore as James Bond.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

When Moore died in 2017 at the age of 89,Pierce Brosnan— who would later take on the role of Bond —paid tribute to the actor, whom he called his “first real hero" in anessay forVariety

When describing Moore’s performance as 007, Brosnan said he portrayed the character “with exceptional skill and comic timing laced with a stiletto vengeance.”

05of 08Timothy DaltonTimothy Dalton as James Bond.United Artists/courtesy Everett CollectionTimothy Dalton played Bond in just two films: 1987’sThe Living Daylightsand 1989’sLicense to Kill.As it turns out, Dalton was supposed to star in three Bond films but due to a legal dispute between Eon Productions and MGM, his tenure was cut short, perThe Week. “Because of the lawsuit, I was free of the contract,“he told the outlet.When it was time for production to start back up on what would have been his third film, he said the producer approached him and asked if he would want to be a part of it.” ‘Well, I’ve actually changed my mind a little bit. I think that I’d love to doone. Try and take the best of the two that Ihavedone, and consolidate them into a third,’ " he remembered telling the producer. “And he said, quite rightly, ‘Look, Tim. You can’t do one. There’s no way, after a five-year gap between movies that you can come back and just do one. You’d have to plan on four or five.’ And I thought,oh, no, that would be the rest of my life. Too much. Too long.So I respectfully declined.”

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Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton as James Bond.United Artists/courtesy Everett Collection

United Artists/courtesy Everett Collection

Timothy Dalton played Bond in just two films: 1987’sThe Living Daylightsand 1989’sLicense to Kill.As it turns out, Dalton was supposed to star in three Bond films but due to a legal dispute between Eon Productions and MGM, his tenure was cut short, perThe Week. “Because of the lawsuit, I was free of the contract,“he told the outlet.

When it was time for production to start back up on what would have been his third film, he said the producer approached him and asked if he would want to be a part of it.

" ‘Well, I’ve actually changed my mind a little bit. I think that I’d love to doone. Try and take the best of the two that Ihavedone, and consolidate them into a third,’ " he remembered telling the producer. “And he said, quite rightly, ‘Look, Tim. You can’t do one. There’s no way, after a five-year gap between movies that you can come back and just do one. You’d have to plan on four or five.’ And I thought,oh, no, that would be the rest of my life. Too much. Too long.So I respectfully declined.”

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Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnanbegan his tenure as Bond in 1995’sGolden Eyeand ended with 2002’sDie Another Day.Though Brosnan was keen to do a fifth film, the actor explained that his departure was due to producers looking to refresh the franchise.

“There’s no regret. I do not let regret come into my world … It just leads to more misery and more regrets,” hetoldThe Guardianin 2020.

“Bond is the gift that keeps givingand has allowed me to have a wonderful career,” he added. “Once you’re branded as a Bond, it’s with you for ever, so you better make peace with it and you’d better understand that when you walk through those doors and pick up the mantle of playing James Bond.”

07of 08Daniel CraigDaniel Craig as James Bond.Francois Duhamel/Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett CollectionDaniel Craigsuited up as the legendary spy for five films starting with 2006’sCasino Royale.Before his departure from the franchise, Craig opened up abouthis feelings on being a part of the decades-long legacy.“This may be hard to believe,” Craig toldThe Sunday Times, “but I love the fact I’m Bond. We’re in rare air, making Bond movies. It is one of the most intense, fulfilling things I’ve ever done, but it takes a lot of energy and I’m getting old. I’m getting creaky.”

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Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig as James Bond.Francois Duhamel/Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Francois Duhamel/Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Daniel Craigsuited up as the legendary spy for five films starting with 2006’sCasino Royale.

Before his departure from the franchise, Craig opened up abouthis feelings on being a part of the decades-long legacy.

“This may be hard to believe,” Craig toldThe Sunday Times, “but I love the fact I’m Bond. We’re in rare air, making Bond movies. It is one of the most intense, fulfilling things I’ve ever done, but it takes a lot of energy and I’m getting old. I’m getting creaky.”

08of 08Aaron Taylor-JohnsonAaron Taylor-Johnson.Aldara Zarraoa/GettyAfter Craig confirmed in 2019 thatNo Time To Diewould be his last Bond film, fans began to wonder who would take over the iconic role. Though it took many years to become clear, in March 2024 it was reported thatAaron Taylor-Johnsonwas formally offered the part.The U.K. newspaperThe Sun, said the actorwill sign a contract this week, with a source telling the outlet that “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it.”

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Aaron Taylor-Johnson.Aldara Zarraoa/Getty

Aldara Zarraoa/Getty

After Craig confirmed in 2019 thatNo Time To Diewould be his last Bond film, fans began to wonder who would take over the iconic role. Though it took many years to become clear, in March 2024 it was reported thatAaron Taylor-Johnsonwas formally offered the part.

The U.K. newspaperThe Sun, said the actorwill sign a contract this week, with a source telling the outlet that “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it.”

source: people.com