Ranking Every Single James Bond Actor
#7: David Niven
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If the name doesn’t ring any bells, that’s okay. He played the famous Double-O agent only once, and well, while the movie's title may sound familiar, the tone and style are as far from a Bond movie as you can imagine. 1967’s “Casino Royale” was a spy parody, and thus, featured a portrayal of our favorite secret agent that isn’t quite as memorable as the others. Still, if you watch the movie with your expectations altered, Niven’s performance is respectable, and even though the film as a whole is more of a satire and shouldn’t be considered canon, you have to respect Niven giving it his all.
#6: George Lazenby
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While not as memorable or iconic as other portrayals, he did have to follow up Sean Connery, whom we’d watched on the silver screen five times prior. In his first and only appearance as Bond, Australian actor George Lazenby brought on an intriguing take to the character, hitting many surprising emotional beats that made us connect to the character more than ever. While it may have been jarring at the time, it can now be looked back on with great admiration. Lazenby was young, inexperienced, and lied to get the part, and he still did a great job. We only wish he did more.
#5: Timothy Dalton
We can almost guarantee that if there wasn’t that stark contrast between his films and the more light-hearted Roger Moore performances and movies, and he had a couple more movies under his belt, Dalton would be remembered as one of the greats. Dark, moody, and gritty, his two bond movies could be comparable to the current ones being released. His films definitely do not feel like they came out in the 80s, but we can look back on them now with fondness and appreciation for the vision both director John Glenn and star Dalton had.
#4: Pierce Brosnan
You can’t deny it, GoldenEye is one of the better films in the entire franchise, and a lot is owed to Brosnan’s commitment to the character. He enters with a bang, drawing inspiration from previous bond styles, combining humor, intensity, and grit, but knowing when and where to use them, making for a more believable and realistic performance. His ability to act casual and keep his cool under high-intensity situations oozes enough charm and charisma that we can’t look away, and we eagerly await the next scene he’s in.
#3: Roger Moore
Movies like “Octopussy” and “Moonraker” may seem cheesy by today’s standards, but they were prime viewing for the late 70s, early 80s. While Connery’s performance was grounded more in reality, Roger Moore fit right in with the progression of the digital age. He had no choice but to reel the realism and grit down to fit in with the absurd plots and heavy use of special effects. Moore stands out from the rest. His portrayal and films are unlike the others, and together, they managed to draw in whole new audiences.
#2: Daniel Craig
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Visceral, intense, intimidating, and scary, Craig’s bond is the last one you’d want to be in a room with if you were on his kill list. Despite people having low expectations for his version of Bond, he’s now considered one of the best, and “Casino Royale” is probably many fans’ favorite Bond film of all time. Craig is as true to Ian Fleming’s character in the books as you can get. He gets the job done, no matter what, and for the most part, does so with a clear conscience. In the odd times he does show vulnerability, we know it will transform into something fierce soon after.
#1: Sean Connery
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Sir Sean Connery, rest in peace. You were the first Bond, and no one can compare. Connery was perfect in the role, emitting such gravitas and style, you’d often get goosebumps when he dominated a scene with both wit and charm, and when he took down his foes. His one-liners were perfect for the era too. The way his bond speaks and moves proves that he doesn’t require validation from anyone and that he knows he’s the coolest in the room. His introduction as Bond in “Dr. No” is one of the most iconic moments in the entire series.
