Few film characters are as iconic as James Bond.
For more than 60 years, 007 has survived changing trends, changing audiences, changing villains and increasingly unrealistic gadgets to remain one of Britain’s biggest cinematic exports.
Fast cars.
Sharp suits.
Ridiculous stunts.
Classic one-liners.
And somehow always finding time to order a drink properly during international chaos.
But every generation has its Bond.
Some fans prefer the suave sophistication.
Others love the darker, more serious versions.
And some simply believe the best Bond is whichever one they grew up watching on ITV during Christmas holidays.
So here’s a look back at the actors who’ve officially portrayed Bond on the big screen.
Cue the theme music.
Sean Connery
The Original Bond
For many fans, this is still the definitive 007.
Sean Connery introduced Bond to cinema audiences in 1962 with Dr. No and instantly defined the character:
confident
dangerous
charming
effortlessly cool
Connery’s Bond had swagger unlike anybody else.
From Goldfinger to Thunderball, he established the formula the franchise would build on for decades.
And yes, he also set impossibly high expectations for tuxedos forever.
George Lazenby
The One-Film Bond
Possibly the most underrated Bond.
George Lazenby only appeared once as 007 in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but many fans now regard it as one of the best films in the series.
His Bond felt more emotional and vulnerable than previous versions, especially in the film’s surprisingly moving ending.
Still, being “the Bond who only did one film” remains one of cinema’s strangest pub quiz answers.
Roger Moore
The Smooth Bond
Roger Moore’s Bond was lighter, funnier and packed with raised eyebrows and unforgettable one-liners.
He starred in seven Bond films, including:
Live and Let Die
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
Moore fully embraced the more outrageous side of Bond.
This was the era of:
space lasers
absurd gadgets
and villains with increasingly dramatic plans
And honestly? It was great fun.
Timothy Dalton
The Serious Bond
Long before Daniel Craig, Timothy Dalton brought a darker edge to Bond.
His version felt colder, tougher and more grounded.
Films like The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill pushed Bond into more serious territory.
At the time, some audiences weren’t sure about the change.
Looking back now, Dalton was arguably ahead of his time.
Pierce Brosnan
The 90s Bond
For many Gen X viewers, Pierce Brosnan was their Bond.
Debonair, stylish and perfectly balanced between charm and action, Brosnan helped relaunch the franchise for the post-Cold War era.
GoldenEye became a massive success and introduced Bond to a whole new generation.
Plus the Nintendo 64 game alone probably cemented his place in pop culture history forever.
Daniel Craig
The Gritty Bond
When Daniel Craig was announced, some people complained he was too different.
Then Casino Royale arrived and changed everything.
Craig’s Bond was physical, emotional and genuinely bruised by what he experienced.
The films became darker and more grounded, with bigger emotional stakes and spectacular action scenes.
By the time No Time to Die ended his run, Craig had completely reinvented the character for modern audiences.
What Makes A Great Bond?
Every Bond actor brought something different:
Connery had effortless cool
Moore had humour
Dalton had intensity
Brosnan had charm
Craig had realism
And that’s why the debate never really ends.
Because Bond changes with every generation.
Some people want sophistication.
Some want action.
Some want gadgets and ridiculous villains living inside volcanoes.
Others just want the Aston Martin.
The Bond Formula Still Works
Despite changing audiences and decades of cinema trends, Bond films still deliver the things people love:
huge action sequences
unforgettable music
iconic villains
incredible locations
and that unmistakable British style
Few franchises survive this long while remaining part of popular culture.
Yet somehow Bond always returns.
Usually with a better watch than the rest of us.
Best Bond Actor?
So now comes the impossible question…
Who was the best James Bond?
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