Roger Moore (1927-2017)
Hello movie bloggers, I regret to inform you that British film and television actor Roger Moore, known for being Simon Templar in the television show "The Saint" and his longest-serving portrayal of secret agent James Bond in the film series from 1973 to 1985, has passed away after bravely losing his battle with cancer at 89 years old. I have nothing against the late movie star except that he wasn't the best actor to play 007. His take was more British, less brutal, and more memorable than any interpretation conceived by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Moore began his acting career in 1945, landing an extra role in the film "Caesar and Cleopatra." Moore had his first televised appearance in 1949 and found work modelling for print advertisements. In 1954, he landed a seven-year contract with MGM and got third billing and supporting roles in "Interrupted Memory," "The King's Thief," and "Diane." The latter film flopped, and the studio released Moore two years later. A few years later, Moore starred in one-hour segments on numerous TV programs and in little-known movies. Moore's involvement with television grew as he featured in lead roles, including "Ivanhoe," "The Alaskans," and "Maverick." Moore starred as Simon Templar in the television spy-fi drama "The Saint," produced by Lew Grade. The show aired in 1962 in the UK and the US, with the latter earning widespread attention. Due to its success, Moore obtained international stardom in 1967. The series was in black and white until 1967, when it switched to colour, and ran for six seasons, comprising 118 episodes. In addition to his main acting, Roger Moore also directed several episodes. In 1971, Moore starred in another espionage thriller series opposite Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders." Unlike his previous fame in "The Saint," the series was a success only in the UK and Australia, not in the US, where it was pre-sold to ABC and failed.
Hello movie bloggers, I regret to inform you that British film and television actor Roger Moore, known for being Simon Templar in the television show "The Saint" and his longest-serving portrayal of secret agent James Bond in the film series from 1973 to 1985, has passed away after bravely losing his battle with cancer at 89 years old. I have nothing against the late movie star except that he wasn't the best actor to play 007. His take was more British, less brutal, and more memorable than any interpretation conceived by Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Moore began his acting career in 1945, landing an extra role in the film "Caesar and Cleopatra." Moore had his first televised appearance in 1949 and found work modelling for print advertisements. In 1954, he landed a seven-year contract with MGM and got third billing and supporting roles in "Interrupted Memory," "The King's Thief," and "Diane." The latter film flopped, and the studio released Moore two years later. A few years later, Moore starred in one-hour segments on numerous TV programs and in little-known movies. Moore's involvement with television grew as he featured in lead roles, including "Ivanhoe," "The Alaskans," and "Maverick." Moore starred as Simon Templar in the television spy-fi drama "The Saint," produced by Lew Grade. The show aired in 1962 in the UK and the US, with the latter earning widespread attention. Due to its success, Moore obtained international stardom in 1967. The series was in black and white until 1967, when it switched to colour, and ran for six seasons, comprising 118 episodes. In addition to his main acting, Roger Moore also directed several episodes. In 1971, Moore starred in another espionage thriller series opposite Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders." Unlike his previous fame in "The Saint," the series was a success only in the UK and Australia, not in the US, where it was pre-sold to ABC and failed.
In 1972, when producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli first approached the actor after Sean Connery retired from the role of 007, Roger accepted their offer to portray the titular character, starting with "Live and Let Die." After its release, he continued with the character in several films. He was 45 years old in "Live and Let Die" and 58 when he retired from that role in 1985, becoming the longest-running actor to portray James Bond. During his tenure as Bond, Moore had other movies in mind, such as "Gold," "The Wild Geese," "Escape from Athena," "North Sea Hijack," "The Sea Wolves," and "The Cannonball Run." He appeared as Inspector Clouseau on "The Curse of the Pink Panther" under the pseudonym. After retiring from being James Bond, Moore took a career hiatus for five years and would not continue to make film appearances until 1990 in several movies. He was seen in other movies, such as "The Quest" with Jean-Claude Van Damme and "Spice World," and was among the voice talents of "Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore."
Despite his celebrity status, Moore became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth knighted him as "Sir Roger Moore" for his "services to charity." In 2008, the French Government appointed him as Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
To Roger Moore's family and friends, we deeply miss him. We are grateful to have witnessed his work, including the James Bond films. May he ever be immortalised?
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