bond, James Bond. These iconic words have been spoken by various actors over the decades. Now that Daniel Craig’s era as Bond has recently ended with No time to die it’s more than fitting to look back at the Bonds who have come and gone before us. For many fans of the franchise, Bond represents many things and so answers to the question of who is the best Bond vary widely.
Updated October 15, 2022: If you love 007, you’ll be happy to hear that we’ve updated this article with additional content and entries to reflect every James Bond actor.
We’ve decided to take on the ultimate mission and rank all the actors who have taken on the mantle of 007. There will no doubt be agreement and disagreement here, but for fans of the franchise, this conversation is one that seems to be constantly evolving, especially with interesting reports of potential future Bond actors constantly evolving. Here’s every Bond actor in the official franchise and how they score.
8/8 Barry Nelson
Let’s start with our small screen list. There’s an old classic American TV show called Climax!, and in 1954, the episode titled “Casino Royale” featured secret agent James Bond in an adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel – which was later adapted on two separate occasions (see below). But before that there was Barry Nelson play Jimmy Bond. Nelson sure looks good Climax!but it wasn’t until the big screen that Bond became a more fleshed out persona thanks to a variety of Hollywood A-listers.
7/8 David Niven
After Nelson’s turn as Bond, but before Daniel Craig took over in 2006 for one of the greatest James Bond films of all time, there was Casino royale as a parody film, starring David Niven as 007. The story is set after M’s death, when Sir James Bond is recalled from retirement. To stop the bad guys, Bond’s brilliant plan is to name every agent “James Bond” during his mission. The rest of the film is a muddled affair, but Niven is clearly committed to the soon-to-be iconic role.
6/8 Timothy Dalton
When it comes to the ranking of bonds, Timothy Dalton usually appears almost last. To be fair, Dalton’s view of 007 has been somewhat unfairly reviled; in fact, his dark and raw take on the character seems to be an early precursor to the Craig era. However, Dalton’s approach is devoid of much of the charm and meekness that Bond is known for, and he is remarkably stiff in certain scenes.
While Dalton has the physicality appropriate for the role, he generally lacks the appeal and humor that really make for a great Bond. However, his two entries The Living Daylights and Permission to kill have their fans and some consider him the most underrated bond. There is certainly an ’80s vibe in Dalton’s time, but also a violence and nihilism in his films that were notable for the franchise. It was genuinely refreshing after the crazy, grinning Roger Moore years that, while beautiful in their own way, slowly turned into a caricature. While Dalton’s run isn’t ultimately considered a fan favorite, it does hold its merits for some.
5/8 George Lazenby
The only actor to appear in only one Bond film, Australian model and stunt double George Lazenby had a one-off role in the still-talked-about fan favorite About Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Succeeding Sean Connery, who had refused to return at the time, Lazenby’s portrayal of Bond drew much criticism and pressure. Admittedly, Lazenby wasn’t a professional actor (and there are times when it shows), but there’s something beautifully low-key and vulnerable in his performance. given how About Her Majesty’s Secret Service explores a more vulnerable version of Bond, Lazenby’s understated approach manages to adapt the material for the most part.
While his acting doesn’t quite match the level of Connery or Craig (which is a real shame, because this is arguably the most emotional James Bond movie of all, at least until No time to die), Lazenby handles the required action sequences gracefully. Overall, Lazenby’s run as 007 has been rather limited and while he’s not the best performer to grace the role, his subtle take on the character fits the movie he’s in. About Her Majesty’s Secret Service still remains a fan favorite for many, and some even consider it the best in the franchise.
4/8 Roger Moore
For Bond fans in the mid-’70s to mid-’80s, Roger Moore was the ultimate Bond, starring in the most movies for every actor in the franchise. Moore’s run began in 1973 with Live and let die and ended in 1985 with A look at a murder, and his run was notable for its campy sense of humor, outlandish villains, and witty one-liners. The quality of Moore’s time was a bit uneven, and his tenure in the franchise arguably lasted two films too long.
However, his period also lays claim to some of the best James Bondmovies, like The spy who loved me and Just for your eyes. Moore also exudes a real charisma and smoothness in the role, and even in his worst movies, he seems to fully commit and go along for the ride. While Moore’s run has these duds to his credit (A look at a murder and octopussy haven’t gotten too old), it features some of the most vibrant and exciting adventures in the franchise at best. Plus, no one can make cheesy Bond one-liners better, and that’s a real feat.
3/8 Pierce Bronson
For a long period between the late ’80s and early ’90s, the Bond franchise had taken a bit of a hiatus. When it returned in 1995 with golden eye, Pierce Brosnan had taken over from 007 and ushered in a new era for the character. Brosnan’s take on the character combined all the elements fans loved, from Connery’s intensity and Dalton’s incredible looks to Moore’s cheeky humor, but also added an element that was truly his own and modern.
Pierce Brosnan’s performances also saw him demonstrate his dramatic range, especially in films such as Golden Eye and The world is not enough where his Bond reveals an unexpected depth. While some question the overall quality of the films he starred in, many fans and critics believe that Brosnan effectively represented the character with a smooth and edgy style all his own, helping to get Bond going again and franchise to usher in the modern movie era.
All in all, though not every entry in Brosnan’s run was equally good (here’s to look at you, Die another day), his take on the character remains definitive and continues to be an iconic gateway to the character for many. To date, the actor looks back on his tenure with great pleasure.
2/8 Daniel Craig
While many may argue about this, when it comes to the top title for Bond, Daniel Craig has taken over the lock for quite a few. Craig’s take on the character (originated in 2006) Casino royale) is the most deeply human and tragic yet, and his brooding nature was a change of pace for the franchise. Despite initial reluctance from critics and fans alike, Craig was soon embraced as he grew into 007’s deadpan charm, mellow nature and deadly intensity.
Craig showed more than his dramatic chops as the character in fan favorites skyfall and No time to die and has also shown to be most adept at the character’s action-oriented nature. Most importantly, Daniel Craig’s Bond feels the most layered and three-dimensional, and for this reason, his take on the character feels particularly resonating. Although his run as Bond recently came to an end, it’s safe to say that Craig’s mark on the character will be irrevocable, fondly remembered and regarded as a true achievement for the franchise. However, despite the innovation and evolution that brought Craig into the role, James Bond will always be synonymous with one other actor.
1/8 Sean Connery
There is almost nothing else to say about it Sean Connery‘s legendary run as 007. Connery is the origin of the character’s mainstream franchise in the ’60s, and his run includes many of its most iconic moments. Connery also helped establish the blueprint for the character with his gentle manner, gravitas and wry humor. Whether it was bickering with M, seducing the Bond Girl, or pulling off a deadly stunt, Connery made sure every aspect of Bond looked effortless.
His series features some of the franchise’s most influential films to date, such as goldfinger, From Russia with love, Dr. noand thunderball, and has informed much of pop culture. Connery’s impact on the role looms large even today, and his legacy has informed every aspect of the franchise ever since, often being voted the best Bond of them all. Even if Connery is dated, so is James Bond himself, a Cold War spy character whose womanizing, violent manners have gone out of fashion in most of pop culture. Even if dated, Connery is final.