Meet Roger Moore - The Third 007

Sir Roger Moore KBE (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire) is an English actor who was born on 14 October, 1927 in Stockwell, London. He is 88 years at the moment.

At age 18, shortly after World War II ended, Roger Moore was conscripted for national service. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps as a second lieutenant on 21 September, 1946. He eventually became a captain.

His acting career started since 1945 till date. He has worked as a model and taken up roles in minor films and TV dramas before handling more substantial roles in TV series like Ivanhoe, Alaskans, Maverick, The Saint where he portrayed as Simon Templar and The Persuaders starring Brett Sinclair as Roger Moore and Tony Curtis as Danny Wilde. You probably must have watched this series back then in the 80's on Lagos State Television (LTV). Remember?

Roger Moore

In 1973, Moore became the successor to Sean Connery's portrayal of James Bond. His first James Bond movie was Live and Let Die. Just like Connery, he also acted seven Bond movies. The other six movies include: The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981 - My favourite), Octupussy (1983) and A View to a Kill (1985). All the Bond films he portrayed were Eon productions unlike Connery whose last Bond movie Never Say Never Again was a Non-Eon production. Moore was equally successful like his predecessor.

Moore is the oldest actor to have played James Bond and also the longest serving. His first Bond movie act was at age 45 and he retired from same role at 58. His total years on the role spans a solid 12 years.

Moore is the oldest actor to have played James Bond and also the longest serving. His first Bond movie act was at the age of 45 and he retired from same role at 58. His total years on the role spans a solid 12 years.

Roger Moore in 'For Your Eyes Only'

Moore was very different from the version being originally created by Ian Fleming. He was known for his sense of humour and witty one liners, quite cunning but also a skilled detective. For him, it did not make sense that a Bond, who is supposed to be a spy, will be known to everyone that he is a spy, hence the need for him to add humour. He was voted best bond in 2004 in an Academy Awards poll.

He is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and has demonstrated against the production of foie gas. He has been on tax exile from his homeland since 1970s.

His first marriage was at the age of 19 to ice skater and Doorn Van Steyn (born Lucy Woodard) who was six years his senior. However, due to tensions over money and lack of her belief in Moore's acting abilities, the relationship was strained and eventually led to the breakup. The second marriage was similar to the first. He married Dorothy Squires who was 13 years his senior. It is noted that age difference and his infatuation with the actress Dorothy Provine contributed to the end of marriage.

Moore had a third marriage with Luisa Mattioli from which he had three children; two sons and a daughter - Deborah (Actress), Geoffrey (Actor) and Christian (Film producer). He is currently married to his fourth wife Kristina Tholstrup.

On one occasion his head was smashed with a guitar by his wife Dorothy Squies. He has also been beaten by some of his other wives on a number of occasions.

Moore's follows the celebrity elites to grace the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is the 2,350th one.

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