'James Bond': Where Are They Now?
Since Sean Connery slipped into the tux of James Bond in 1962's 'Dr. No.' the suave secret agent -- as adept at bedding women as he is at defeating evildoers -- has enjoyed one of the most popular, lucrative and prolific movie franchises in history. There are villains so iconic (Dr. No, Blofeld, Jaws) and Bond babes of such exquisite beauty (Honey Ryder, Octopussy, Solitaire) that they are, quite literally, unforgettable.
Moviefone checks in with the men who have played Bond, the women who have loved (and lusted for) him and the villains whose diabolical plans he's so cleverly foiled to see what they're up to today. So sit back, grab your beverage of choice (martini, anyone?), and prepare to be both shaken AND stirred. -- By Tom DiChiara
Getty Images | Everett Collection (3)
Sean Connery
Then: In 1962, the relatively unknown Scot got his big break by originating the part (on the big screen) of the smooth-talking, lady-killing, shaken-not-stirred-martini-loving superspy in 'Dr. No.' Considered by most diehard aficionados to be the definitive Bond, Connery played the role in seven films, including 1983's 'Never Say Never Again' -- a remake of 1963's 'Thunderball' that isn't counted amongst the "official" 007 canon.
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Sean Connery
Now: After a long and storied career in which he played Indiana Jones' father, romanced a younger Catherine Zeta-Jones ('Entrapment') and won an Oscar ('The Untouchables'), Sir Sean (he was knighted in 2000) retired from acting after 2003's 'The League of Extraordinary Gentleman' turned out to be anything but. Despite rumors that he would appear in the new 'Indiana Jones,' Connery opted to remain retired and publish an autobiography, 'Being a Scot.' He can be found in his Scottish castle with wife Micheline Roquebrune, sipping -- we suspect -- martinis (shaken, not stirred, natch).
Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic
George Lazenby
Then: He took over the Bond reins for just one film, 1969's 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service,' before handing them back to Sean Connery for '71's, 'Diamonds Are Forever.' He had previously acted only in TV commercials -- he was the highest paid male model in Europe at the time -- but landed the role thanks to his arrogance, good looks and martial arts expertise (he studied under Bruce Lee). Though he received a Golden Globe nod and was offered a seven-picture deal by Bond producers, Lazenby declined to reprise the role, feeling that 007's popularity would wane in the hippie culture of the '70s. Good call.
Larry Ellis, Hulton Archive / Getty Images
George Lazenby
Now: He never landed as plum a role as Bond again, but Lazenby continued to act throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s -- most notably in a trio of martial arts films in which he was slated to appear opposite Bruce Lee before Lee's untimely death. Lazenby semi-retired from acting in 1993 and fully retired in 2003. He occupies his time golfing, racing cars and playing tennis. In 2003, he married former tennis champ Pam Shriver, and they had three children together. Shriver filed for divorce in August 2008, citing "irreconcilable differences."
Valerie Macon, Getty Images
Roger Moore
Then: Moore had already achieved fame as the star of TV's 'The Saint' before he succeeded Connery as Bond in seven films, commencing with 1973's 'Live and Let Die' and culminating with 1985's 'A View to a Kill.' His 12-year run as 007 is the longest to date, and also made him the oldest actor to play the spy (he was 58 when he turned in his tux). He is known for a more lighthearted playboy take on Bond and credited with mastering the spy's signature double entendre, off-the-cufflinks quips.
Getty Images
Roger Moore
Now: Though he still acts occasionally -- and often ill-advisedly (a tacky role in '97's Spice Girls movie 'Spice World' AND a turn as a flamboyantly gay cross-dresser in the '02 Cuba Gooding Jr. turd 'Boat Trip' -- c'mon!), he devotes most of his time to charity work these days. A dedicated UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 1991, the four-times-married actor was granted knighthood in 2003 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2007. In 2008, he published his memoirs, entitled 'My Word Is My Bond.'
Dominique Charriau, WireImage
Timothy Dalton
Then: With Roger Moore retiring, the classically trained theater actor was the first choice for 1987's 'The Living Daylights,' but had to turn down the part due to other commitments. The producers' next choice, Sam Neill, didn't screen-test well, and Pierce Brosnan had to back out due to his obligations to the TV show 'Remington Steele.' By this time, Dalton's schedule had freed up, and he stepped into Bond's dapper duds for 'Daylights,' and its '89 follow-up 'License to Kill.' While the latter film underperformed at the U.S. box office, the former was a hit, raking in more dough than rivals 'Die Hard' and 'Lethal Weapon.' Though Dalton wasn't a wildly popular choice for 007, diehard fans welcomed his darker, grittier take on the role.
Everett Collection
Timothy Dalton
Now: Still working steadily in theater, TV and film, Dalton parodied James Bond in the 2003 flick 'Looney Toons: Back in Action.' That same year he appeared as Lord Asriel in the London stage version of 'His Dark Materials,' coincidentally the same role played by current 007 Daniel Craig in the 2007 movie 'The Golden Compass.' Most recently, he appeared in the '07 Brit comedy 'Hot Fuzz.' He lives in Los Angeles and has never been married.
Jon Furniss, WireImage
Pierce Brosnan
Then: Having been forced to back out of the role in 1987, the Irish-born Brosnan finally got his shot at Bond-dom in 1995's 'GoldenEye,' after legal disputes compelled the franchise to take a six-year hiatus. The flick was an overwhelming success, with Brosnan hailed as the best 007 since Sean Connery and the film commended as a modernization of the franchise. Brosnan went on to appear in three more 007 films, ending his run with 2002's 'Die Another Day,' opposite a bikini-clad Halle Berry and a sword-wielding Madonna.
Getty Images
Reader Comments (34)
TIM at 8:14PM on Nov 10th 2008
AOL researchers are so stupid....Jimmy Dean died last ear and AOL had an arcile about him.....U guys need to get your act together....MORONS!
Brad at 8:25PM on Nov 10th 2008
WOW!!! Jessica Simpson posing nude here:
http://www.celebcvid.com/video.php?v=Jessica_Simpson_nude
bluejayjassie at 8:30PM on Nov 10th 2008
Jimmy Dean isn't dead. And they're the morons? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
James at 8:38PM on Nov 10th 2008
TIM, Jimmy Dean is alive in well and living in outside of Richmond, Virginia. You must be thinking about Jerry Reed how passed a few months back.
C.Michelle at 8:59PM on Nov 10th 2008
So Barbara Bach married Ringo Starr Huh? I had forgotten that.No wonder Ringo is doing so well. I bet she chews on his butt every day to keep him in line a bit because noone else can sure tell him anything,what a rude guy. He is just another example of how music lovers brains turn to mush and they ignor a persons bad traits just to buy their music,tisk tisk. Good Luck to you always Barbara(whom I like), You still need it :)
Marian Alderson at 9:08PM on Nov 10th 2008
Jimmy Dean is alive and well; living east of Richmond, Virginia in a magificent home overlooking the James Rivier.
Marian
Richmond, Virginian
Mark Elliott at 2:34AM on Nov 11th 2008
Its so sad that Herve never knew about the Internet. Think of how many more plans he would have been able to lure to the Islands with Orbitz. :)
Bill at 9:47PM on Nov 10th 2008
Tim wrote; AOL researchers are so stupid....Jimmy Dean died last ear and AOL had an arcile about him.....U guys need to get your act together....MORONS!
TIM at 8:14PM on Nov 10th 2008
Not nearly as stupid as you Tim. Jimmy Dean is alive and kicking and living in Virginea. In May of this year he gave a million to his hometown college. The largest gift ever to that institutuin. He still gets royalties from the Jimmy Dean sausage brand but it is now owned by Sarah Lee Foods. Get your act together Tim.
JB at 9:59PM on Nov 10th 2008
You guys who have commented AFTER "TIM" are absolutely right. Jimmy Dean is still very much alive. He resides in Varina, a town outside of Richmond, VA in the east end of Henrico County. His home is on the James River, and I actually don't live too far away from him.
urs at 10:27PM on Nov 10th 2008
a sad day when bo flips the bird to hil and john now his devilcrats will do it to us they should throw themselvs in dumpster
urs at 10:28PM on Nov 10th 2008
aad day with bo flips the bird at hil and john. devilcrats will do it to us.
jaz167 at 10:29PM on Nov 10th 2008
Which James Dean are you guys talking about? Because I believe they're saying she dated the popular actor James Dean from the 50's and he is dead, and has been dead for years. He died in 1955 from a car accident at age 24. Look him up
boohoo at 10:47PM on Nov 10th 2008
Jimmy Dean is alive and well, Actor James Dean died in the 50's in an accident with his new porche. Someone is getting the two of them confused.
paul milinkevich at 12:02AM on Nov 11th 2008
No morons, James Dean died many years ago at age 23, I believe. Jimmy Dean singer and king of sausage is alive....
Darius Fontaine at 11:09PM on Nov 10th 2008
They are talking about the Jimmy Dean that played Willard White in the Bond Movie "Diamonds Are Forever", Say did Willard ever grant the Govenor of Nevada a personal appearance?
Arpboy at 11:34PM on Nov 10th 2008
Um - Guys, you got it mixed up. JIMMY Dean is a current country boy. JAMES Dean was a "rebel" image guy who died in in a high-speed car wreck in the 50's, driving his Porsche Spyder.
Slow down on the "Moron" labels.
Cyndy at 11:43PM on Nov 10th 2008
how can someone call people mormons and spell article, arcile????
Jayd0811 at 12:02AM on Nov 11th 2008
James Dean, Rebel With Out A Cause, Dead, 1955, Jimmy Dean, Alive, Grand Ole Oparys, Big Bad John,
oprah at 1:00AM on Nov 11th 2008
:O !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jimmy Dean???????????? Dumb a*ses JAMES DEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He died in the 50's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anna Anthony at 1:47AM on Nov 11th 2008
James Dean is who they are talking about. He was an actor in the 50's. Did East of Eden and Giant. He was killed in a car accident. Driving to fast in a sports car