Skip to content
Search
Search
 

50 Years of Bond. James Bond.

The evolution of the spy with a license to kill

by Laura Boswell, AARP

  • The Sexiest Bond
    Harry Myers / Rex USA

    Sean Connery

    En español | At 6 feet 2, Sean Connery filled out his tux quite nicely as the first Bond in Dr. No in 1962. But he began his career on a smaller scale, in the 1959 Disney leprechaun movie Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Connery played Bond in six more films.

    1 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    Everett Collection

    Ursula Andress in 'Dr. No,' 1962

    Before Raquel, before Farrah, it was Ursula whose image graced the walls of teen boys. The Swiss miss loved her leading men, including James Dean and Marlon Brando. Her iconic white bikini from Dr. No sold in a 2001 auction for nearly $60,000.

    2 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    Courtesy Everett Collection

    George Lazenby, 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service,' 1969

    Unknown Australian actor/model George Lazenby had a big kilt to fill after Connery retired from the Bond role. Lazenby's reviews from On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) were mixed, but he has since become a beloved guest at 007 events.

    3 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    Courtesy Everett Collection

    George Lazenby and Diana Rigg, 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service,' 1969

    George Lazenby's 007 role in On Her Majesty's Secret Service was his first and last, as was a new twist for the notorious fictional bachelor: Bond Boy meets — and marries — Bond Girl, the Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg).

    4 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    United Artists/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

    Roger Moore, 'Octopussy,' 1983

    Roger Moore played Bond the longest, in seven consecutive films from 1973 to 1985. He was the oldest Bond as well (45-58). Moore became a UNICEF ambassador after witnessing India's poverty while shooting Octopussy.

    5 of 12
  • A middle aged caucasian couple look at a map outdoors with text that reads keep life fun and your calendar full.

    AARP Offer

    Sign up for the AARP Lifestyle Newsletter to find out about new movies, great games and travel ideas each month. By joining AARP today, you can also save on movie tickets, restaurants, airfare, hotels and more and have even more fun!

    6 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Grace Jones, 'View to a Kill,' 1985

    Grace Jones was no regular Bond Girl. The Jamaican-born model/singer played May Day, an assassin with incredible strength. She treats Bond better than this fellow but still meets her own tragic end.

    7 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    United Artists/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

    Timothy Dalton, 'Licence to Kill,' 1989

    The fourth Bond (The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill), Timothy Dalton, would later play an American literary icon: Rhett Butler in 1994's Scarlett, a TV miniseries sequel to Gone With the Wind.

    8 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Pierce Brosnan, 'Goldeneye,' 1995

    After a Scot, an Australian and two Brits, producers decided on an Irishman for the fifth Bond — Pierce Brosnan. He had been approached before but was booked shooting Remington Steele.

    9 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Halle Berry, 'Die Another Day,' 2002

    Though her stunning looks usually land Halle Berry good-girl roles, Jinx Johnson definitely showed the Oscar winner's tougher side. This bikini shot was a nod to Ursula Andress' beach scene 40 years before in Dr. No.

    10 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    Jay Maidment/Sony Pictures/Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    Daniel Craig, 'Casino Royale,' 2006

    Another homage to Ursula Andress? Fans couldn't keep their eyes off his abs and embraced the brooding first blond Bond. In 007's most royal mission, he escorted Queen Elizabeth II to the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremonies.

    11 of 12
  • The Sexiest Bond
    Mary Evans/Getty Images

    Dame Judi Dench, 'Casino Royale,' 2006

    The most fearsome Bond Girl of all? Dame Judi Dench as M, head of Her Majesty's Secret Service. At times cold, yet quietly caring, she serves both as demanding leader and maternal compass for Bond.

    12 of 12