The Five Bond Actors Best To Worst

1.Sean Connery
2.Pierce Brosnan
3.Timothy Dalton
4.Roger Moore
5.George Lazenby

I liked em all but some just were better.
Still Lazneby deserved another chance.
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Comments

  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,421Quartermasters
    This is very hard as I am a fan of all of them.

    1. Sean Connery
    2. Pierce Brosnan
    3. Roger Moore
    4. Tim Dalton
    5. George Lazenby

    Please note that I would still rate Lazenby 8/10, but in comparison to the others I have to say that he is my least fave.
  • RogueAgentRogueAgent Speeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
    Not to burst your bubble but I do believe that there is a similiar thread for this already...not to mention countless derivations of it to boot. Welcome to the boards. :)
    Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"

    Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
    -Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
  • royalmileroyalmile Station CPosts: 115MI6 Agent
    Still, worth saying again: :)

    1) Connery
    2) Brosnan
    3) Moore
    4) Dalton
    5) Lazenby
  • NeedsaLeiterNeedsaLeiter Posts: 11MI6 Agent
    Argh...this is tough....

    1) Sean Connery 10/10
    2) Timothy Dalton 9/10
    2) Pierce Brosnan 9/10
    4) Roger Moore 7/10
    5) George Lazenby 6/10
  • AlexAlex The Eastern SeaboardPosts: 2,694MI6 Agent
    How about a little discussion? Lists are so boring...;)

    Use our Poll located to the right for ticking your favorite Bond.
  • bigzilchobigzilcho Toronto, ONPosts: 245MI6 Agent
    I quite agree, Alex. A list without any commentaries to back it up is as incomplete as George Lazenby's tenure as 007. In other words, not enough.
    And lets clear something up double-fast: there is no "worst" Bond. All five gentlemen have been quite wonderful...with varying degrees, of course.

    1) Sean Connery- The Man. The total package and more. Terence Young, when asked to account for the success of the series, replied:"Sean Connery , Sean Connery, Sean Connery." "Nuff said.

    2) Timothy Dalton- Daltonites of the world, unite! Dalton will be appreciated by future generations of Bond-fans as not only the most authentic Fleming Bond but the only actor of the five who had the guts to make his 007 slightly unlikeable. Mean, moody and magnificent.

    3) Roger Moore- Good ol' Roger. I must admit, as the years have passed , my appreciation for Roger has increased. Oh sure, the flaws are evident (a bit too flippant, the least tough of the five etc.), but Roger represents a dying breed of Bond leading man: effortlessly charming with a twinkle in the eye...and a healthy touch of ruthlessness. The Bond who looks like he's having the most fun, Roger's 007 is the Bond that future fans will regard with child-like delight, both of Moore and an era when spectacular entertainment meant just that. The only Bond who dared to not take the character seriously, Roger's light touch set a standard for pure fun that the series sometimes forgets.

    4) George Lazenby- As an old-time action fan, Lazenby's refusal to do more Bonds, is the single biggest action heartbreak of the series, for the simple reason that OHMSS should have been the first of a string of electrifying action films throughout the 70's. Kudos to first-timer George for a performance that even the more experienced Bonds would have found a challenge.

    5) Pierce Brosnan- Despite initial misgivings, I came to the realization that Brosnan was a terrific 007 in Goldeneye. The last three filns have been hit-and-miss affairs but Pierce is, as always, better than fine, and in TWINE gives a 007 performance thats as good as any in the series. Undermined by some shaky scripts,(Purvis and Wade, anyone?) Pierce is the Bond that has kept the flame alive. Its too bad his send-off had to be DAD.

    20 films...5 actors...the five faces of Bond...and this is just the end of the first volume of the Bond saga (with many volumes to come). Long live, 007!

    "That's a Smith and Wesson...and you've had your six."
  • VroomfondelVroomfondel Posts: 18MI6 Agent
    1) Sean Connery-The first Bond, he set the standard for Bonds to come. Not to mention he was just awesome as 007.

    2) Timothy Dalton-I've always felt that Dalton deserved more credit for his movies, especially License to Kill. The way he portrayed Bond was more realistic than the others and gave 007 a human element. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance as Bond.

    3) George Lazenby-Although I never like OHMSS aside from its theme song, I have to admit that it must have been tough for him to fill the shoes of Sir Sean. He never stuck around long enough for me to like his style, but I think that given the chance he would have made a great Bond.

    4) Roger Moore-He always seemed rather silly and foppish as Bond. I've started to enjoy some of his movies as I've watched them over the years, but he just can't compare to Sean and Tim.

    5) Pierce Brosnan-Pierce Brosnan is a good actor. The problem with his Bond films was that they suffered from too much action and too little plot. I think his best performance would be EoN (if it was made into a movie).
  • Back to basics BondBack to basics Bond Posts: 8MI6 Agent
    Sean Connery--the definitive Bond. Believable as a killer and also playboy. You believe that he knows his way around a casino.

    Timothy Dalton- a gritty edgier Bond. Would be held in higher regard if he had been able to make even a couple more films in the role

    Roger Moore- too light hearted in a couple of his films but still brought a lot to the role. Loses points for wearing the safari suit!

    George Lazenby-difficult to really judge due to just one appearance. Is he good because OHMSS is such a strong script or does he make a good script into a great 007 movie?

    Pierce Brosnan-still good in the role particularly after he matured more physically. Loses some points due to, in my opinion, his films being some of the weakest of the series.

    Daniel Craig--I'm very hopeful. I can see him challenging Dalton for #2 in my all-time list.
  • Agent SidewinderAgent Sidewinder Posts: 223MI6 Agent
    edited January 2006
    1) Roger Moore - was the perfect Bond for the 70s and 80s. Brought style and charisma in bucketloads to the role and could be deadly serious as well. Had the best speaking voice of all the Bonds. Surely a 007 for all seasons.

    2) Pierce Brosnan - I'm rating him second because I believe he's done a great job playing a cool, slick modern Bond in spite of the mediocre material he's often been given. Deserved another film.

    3) Sean Connery - a tough guy who could mix it with anyone, but ran out to enthusiasm too early. Maybe a bit overrated by fans due to "the original is the best" syndrome. Still a great Bond overall.

    4) George Lazenby - had the looks and physique, and pulled off OHMSS's heartbreaking final scene well. Competent but not spectacular in other parts. Closest to Fleming IMO. Needed another film.

    5) Timothy Dalton - I used to dismiss him as a Shakespeare wannabe who constantly resorted to muttering his lines in a bid to prove how dark! and intense! and Fleming! he was. Rewatching TLD made me realise that this was selling him short, although I wish Dalton had brought a little more spark to the role.
  • 00640064 Somewhere out west...Posts: 1,083MI6 Agent
    1.Sean Connery
    2.Pierce Brosnan
    3.Roger Moore
    4.George Lazenby
    5.Timothy Dalton
  • 00640064 Somewhere out west...Posts: 1,083MI6 Agent
    FROSTY wrote:
    1) Roger Moore
    2) Pierce Brosnan
    3) Sean Connery
    4) Timothy Dalton
    5) George Lazenby

    gap...

    6) Undercover Elephant
    7) Secret Squirrel

    very big gap...

    999) The Roswell Alien
    1000) Daniel Craig

    Ooooh, that far down already, and in some tough competition :)
  • KingdaddyJamesBondKingdaddyJamesBond Posts: 7MI6 Agent
    1) Sean Connery
    2) Roger Moore
    3) George Lazenby
    4) Timothy Dalton
    5) Pierce Brosnan
  • hitch450hitch450 Posts: 6MI6 Agent
    1)Sean Connery
    2)Roger Moore
    3)Timothy Dalton
    4)Pierce Brosnan
    5)George Lazenby
  • AcerimmerAcerimmer Posts: 19MI6 Agent
    1. Tim Dalton. He brought Ian Fleming's vision to the screen. A darker, moodier Bond who deserved more than two movies.

    2. George Lazenby. He got bad advice from people who told him Bond was dead, but he's good in OHMSS, which except for true Bond afficianados is the most underrated film in the series.

    3. Sean Connery. The original, and he'd rank higher if not for the fact he'd obviously gone through the motions with no enthusiasm for YOLT and DAF. He was actually better in NSNA than those two.

    3. Roger Moore. I don't care for TMWTGG, and I thought AVTAK was a movie too far, but Sir Roger had his moments, and FYEO and OP are two of the best entries in the series.

    3. Pierce Brosnan. As good as GE and TWINE were, we also had TND, which is a bit boring, and DAD, which is just plain awful.

    I rated Sean, Roger and Pierce equally, because of the true multi-film 007's, they all had good and bad films, and all of them contributed something to James Bond.

    I don't consider any one of the the soon to be six Bonds to be worst, especially the one nobody's even seen yet. As Barbara Billingsley said as the woman who speaks jive in "Airplane!": 'Cut me some slack Jack!' ;)
  • 00640064 Somewhere out west...Posts: 1,083MI6 Agent
    Here is my modified list:
    1.Pierce Brosnan
    2.Sean Connery
    3.Roger Moore
    4.Timothy Dalton
    5.George Lazenby
  • JennyFlexFanJennyFlexFan Posts: 1,497MI6 Agent
    My list:

    1. Pierce Brosnan
    2. Roger Moore
    2. Sean Connery
    3. George Lazenby
    4. Myself
    100. Timothy Dalton
  • baccaretbaccaret Posts: 61MI6 Agent
    Connery He is James Bond!!!
    Brosnam He is as suave as Connery,but not quite as
    physical as Sean.
    Dalton He is the most underated Bond.
    Moore He is good, butI think he stayed too long
    Lazenby The movie was great,but he is too stiff.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,427MI6 Agent
    1)Connery - partly because he was the first
    2)Dalton - dark and dangerous, Flemming style
    3)Brosnan - a natural, but too modelish.
    4)Lazenby - no actor, but OHMSS is still good
    5)Moore - made Bond a comedian, bad at action.
  • BottleRocketsBottleRockets Posts: 5MI6 Agent
    1. Roger Moore - most recognizable to me as Bond and his films were the first I saw.
    2. Sean Connery - a great actor, brings suave and sophistication to the role.
    3. Timothy Dalton - brought that dark nature to the role, but still had a sly sense of humor.
    4. Pierce Brosnan - liked his films, but he just seemed a stale representation of Bond.
    5. George Lazenby - one film just wasn't enough to tell, though OHMSS was a pretty good film.
  • micemice Posts: 3MI6 Agent
    Connery is always going to be first and best for me.

    Pierce is second. He did a great job of bringing the series up to date and he genuinely seemed to be having fun with the quips. I would not have minded another Bronson Bond film.

    Third is Moore. He played up the more refined side of Bond. He was the first man I ever saw play Bond and he did a great job of it too.

    Fourth is Lazenby. I like this movie, but Lazenby didn't really get to prove himself like the other Bond vets.

    Fifth is Dalton. I blame the writers for how passive and weak Dalton playes Bond. He's so great in Flash Gordon. Its just not a good fit to have him play Bond.

    I also think David Niven did a good job of playing Bond. And yes I think that movie counts.
  • starman007starman007 Posts: 13MI6 Agent
    Here's my list:

    1 Timothy Dalton made Bond beleivable and human. Damn that legal action which stoped tim makin a third film.

    2. Sean Connery could TDb have based his portrayal on SC.

    3. Pierce Brosnan brought a spark to the role reminded me of RM in his heyday as the saint.

    4. George Lazenby took bad advice but could have been a great Bond .

    5 Roger Moore a bit to camp and comedic imo the first three were enjoyable. Maybe should have left after Moonraker shoyld have definetly left after FYO and i'll never forgive him for making OP.
  • 00640064 Somewhere out west...Posts: 1,083MI6 Agent
    Is Lazenby anyone's favorite?
  • 00Goldeneye00Goldeneye Posts: 32MI6 Agent
    0064 wrote:
    Is Lazenby anyone's favorite?
    I've never seen OHMSS, so I do not know what kind of "Bond" he was.
  • Tee HeeTee Hee CBT Headquarters: Chicago, ILPosts: 917MI6 Agent
    0064 wrote:
    Is Lazenby anyone's favorite?

    The only person I have come across is our own asio although there must be others.
    "My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised..."

    -Roger Moore
  • Q_Branch84Q_Branch84 Posts: 8MI6 Agent
    1. Roger Moore - Charming, witty, deadly. You can easily tell that he enjoyed his time as Bond a lot. He never bad-mouthed the part and left on good terms. Also he played Bond until he was 58, something that none of the other actors who played Bond could do (did anyone else see how Connery look in NSNA?). His movies, while not the most serious hardcore spy films are still fun to watch and are a hallmark of the 70's and 80's. Who hasn't heard of The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, and Octopussy?

    2. Sean Connery - Sometimes people take "The Orignal is the Best" thing way to far. Yes he was a good Bond but after thunderball he just wanted the paycheck. He deffinatly gets bouns points due to the fact that without him we wouldn't have a Bond series. Goldfinger is where Connery truly shines as Bond.

    3. Pierce Brosnan - I've said it before and I'll say it again: Brosnan is a combination of Moore and Connery...except he's not Moore or Connery. He has the Charm and witt of Moore and the presence and ego of Connery, except it always seemed like something was missing from his Bond.

    4. Timothy Dalton - Oh, Timmy boy, what to do with you. He got shafted that's all there is to it. Dalton might have been the best Bond ever if only we got to see more of him. The odds were stacked against him when he inherited the PPK from Moore, everyone had their minds all set to hate him. He did good though, TLD is one of the best 007 films and LTK (while not for everyone) was pretty good. Dalton deffinatly deserved to do at least one more film, but the choice was his after all.

    5. George Lazenby - .........yeah...well, he just wasn't the right guy for the job. Connery was such a big name during the 60's and to replace that with a modle from a chocolate commerical really wasn't smart. Bond was Lazenby's 15 minutes of fame.


    The three main Bond actors right at the top where they should be, considering everyone knows who Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan are. Whenever Bond movies come up in conversation with my friends, the names George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton are replaced by "The Guy who only did one movie" and "The guy who was after Roger Moore".
  • Andy A 007Andy A 007 Posts: 199MI6 Agent
    1.Sean Connery
    2.Timothy Dalton
    3.George Lazenby
    4.Pierce Brosnan
    5.Roger Moore
  • ShadeShade Posts: 2MI6 Agent
    Interesting comments from all of you.
    As a life long Bond fan no one has hot it except Sean Connery. Not because he was first, but because his confidence was such a part of the original. The rest of my choices are all Connery, but Moore was fun and in For Your Eyes Only was actually very tough. I am thinking of the scene he kicked to henchman and his car off the mountain. Dalton was good, tough, athletic, and dark in character. Brosnan did a great job with his own style, especially in Die Another Day after he is released from the Chinese concentration camp looking in the mirror at himself in the hotel room. That brief scene spoke volumes. Also in Tomorrow Never Dies when he looks at Michelle Yeoh as they prepare to leave the next day for the 'stealth" ship. Brosnan gives Yeoh an appreciative look (he's lost two loves in his life Tracy Bond and Teri Hatcher's character) he does not want to lose this one. Yeoh's character is a woman he respects, admires, and feels can hold her own with him. Great scenes, Brosnan is such a great actor. Lazenby was a model with little or no acting experience who was very good in what is arguably one of the best written Bond films. As a Diana Rigg fan I have to say they chose well for Bond's wife, beauty, brains, ability, guts.
    This new Bond probably has to confidence factor and is probably fit for the role, but he is not what a good looking man if I can say so without sounding strange. Clive Owen would have been a MUCH better choice, more the looks , style, toughness all combined like a Connery, Dalton, or Brosnan.
  • 00640064 Somewhere out west...Posts: 1,083MI6 Agent
    Welcome to the site Shade. I agree with you about Brosnan. He definately has his way of doing things and that is what I really like about him.
  • BondlikeBondlike Posts: 26MI6 Agent
    IMO
    Connery
    Brosnan
    Moore
    Dalton
    Lazenby
  • Mister BiswasMister Biswas TokyoPosts: 78MI6 Agent
    1. Dalton: For his performance in TLD alone, he gets the top slot IMHO. His mannerisms, his edge, his toughness, it's all been talked about and lauded. I like the fact that Bond is a human being in Dalton's hands. He gives Bond a believability, a gravity, makes him kind of palpable.
    2. Moore: I don't know, but I might be the only person around here who thinks that Moore got better as he got older, with AVTAK being the best of his films. He made the Bond films fun for me. I was a kid during the Moore era, so he was the actor I most associate with. I remember when I was a kid and I saw Moonraker on TV for the first time. For the next year, I was playing James Bond with my friends. Thanks, Roger.
    3. Connery: It is hard for me to talk about my feelings about the Connery films. I feel like Connery conquered the Bond thing so early that starting with Thunderball, Connery had the "been-there-done-that" attitude on screen, and it really hurts him.
    4. Brosnan: I really hate the Brosnan films. Brosnan would be much better if he had better material to work with. Brosnan was never given the chance to make the Bond character his own, IMO. So, when I watch his films, I feel like he's just a rehash of the past Bonds, a kind of hybrid of all the best attributes of past Bond actors without adding anything of his own character to his performance.
    5. Lazenby: You kind of have to put Lazenby at 5 just because. Lazenby, the one-film only Bond. Lazenby, the man whose dubbed voice over is way too annoying to listen to. Lazenby, the troublemaker Bond. What makes putting Lazenby at 5 tough, however, is that his film is really the best film of the series. People have speculated about OHMSS had Connery agreed to be in it. I have always thought, however, what an AWESOME film OHMSS would have been had DALTON been in it. But, we are left with Lazenby. But, still, Lazenby beats Barry Norman.
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