Legendary actor Sir Roger Moore of James Bond fame passed away today in Switzerland after a brief battle with cancer. He was 89. The announcement was made by the family today on the actor’s official Twitter account. Moore is best known for playing fictional spy James Bond in seven films.
The announcement was made by Moore's family today on the actor’s official Twitter account.
The twitter post reads, “With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated.”
The statement shared on social media was signed by Sir Roger's children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian.
"The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone," read the statement.
The family said that they will hold a private funeral in Monaco, where the actor lived. They said that Moore considered his work for UNICEF as his "greatest achievement".
"The affection our father felt whenever he walked onto a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year... in accordance with our father's wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco."
Moore was known for his shows The Saint and The Persuaders. He played the role of a spy in seven Bond films. Moore is survived by his better half Kristina Tholstrup and three children.
Roger Moore top performances as James Bond
With seven Bond films, Moore played the role more often than any of the other Bonds such as Sean Connery and Daniel Craig. He acted in films such as "Live and Let Die", "The Spy Who Loved Me", "Moonraker", "A View to a Kill" among others.
Born in Stockwell, south London, Moore studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). Moore had studied painting before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
He played a few small roles in theater and films before his mandatory army duty, then moved to Hollywood in the 1950s. He appeared opposite Elizabeth Taylor in 1954′s “The Last Time I Saw Paris” and with Eleanor Parker in “Interrupted Melody” the following year.
In 1970, he became managing director for European production for Faberge’s Brut Productions. With the company, he co-starred with Tony Curtis in “The Persuaders!” for British television and was involved in producing “A Touch of Class,” which won a best-actress Oscar for Glenda Jackson.
Three years later, he made his first Bond film, “Live and Let Die.”
He became a contender for the role of 007 after Scottish actor Connery announced in 1966 that he would no longer be appearing as Bond.
He would make six more, “The Man With the Golden Gun,” ″The Spy Who Loved Me,” ″Octopussy,” ″Moonraker,” ″For Your Eyes Only and “A View to a Kill” over the next 12 years. And while the Bond of the Ian Fleming novels that the films were based on was generally described as being in his 30s, Moore would stay with the role until he was 57.
Besides his outings as Bond, Moore had an extensive and productive career as an actor in cinema and television.
He was remembered warmly by fans of the popular U.S. 1950s-60s TV series “Maverick” as Beauregarde Maverick, the English cousin of the Wild West’s Maverick brothers, Bret and Bart. He also starred in the 1959 U.S. series “The Alaskans.”
His other prominent performance were in films such as "Bullseye!", "Bed & Breakfast", "Curse of the Pink Panther" and "The Quest".
On small screen, Moore was popular for doing "Ivanhoe", "The Saint" and "The Persuaders".
Moore penned two books about his time as Bond as well as two autobiographies, including "My Word is My Bond: The Autobiography", which was peppered with anecdotes about his encounters with other stars and his memories of his time in Hollywood.
An active philanthropist, he became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 1991.
Tribute pour in for Sir Moore
Celebrities across the globe expressed their grief over Moore's demise.
"Roger Moore , loved him," Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe tweeted.
Kris Jenner posted, "The ultimate James Bond... so sad to hear that Roger Moore has passed away. Thoughts and prayers are with his family..."
Actress Mia Farrow wrote, "Few are as kind and giving as was Roger Moore. Loving thoughts with his family and friends.
He will be missed too by UNICEF."
Bollywood actors Rishi Kapoor and Boman Irani also mourned Moore's demise.
"RIP. Name is James... Roger Moore... Bond," Kapoor wrote alongside Moore's picture.
Irani shared, "A sad day became sadder. #JamesBond cannot bleed let alone die. You will remain in our hearts forever. Sir #RogerMoore."
