Born in London in 1927, Roger Moore was originally a male model, before moving into acting in the 1950's. His first big role was the lead, Simon Templar, in the TV series The Saint, which ran from 1962 - 1970. The series was a big success, but nearing the end of it's run Roger Moore became bored with the role and looked to move on.
After appearing in 2 movies, and 2 years working on The Persuaders! alongside Tony Curtis, Roger Moore took over the role of James Bond from Sean Connery, in 1973's Live And Let Die. The movie was a direct move away from the franchise's tried and true method, with Roger Moore taking James Bond into Harlem, and (heaven forbid) making love to an African American woman, Rosie Carver (who, strangely enough, was cut from the film in many States of the USA during the film's original release).
The next Bond film, The Man With The Golden Gun, was released in 1974 to less than favourable reviews. The film's location, however (Phang Nga Bay, Phuket, Thailand) remains a popular tourist attraction, and is still regarded as "James Bond Island".
On 7th July, 1977, Roger Moore starred in his third Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, which many (including myself) regard as his best. Curt Jergens played the villainous Karl Stromberg, and the lovely Barbara Bach played Anya Amasova, also known as KGB Agent XXX.
2 years later, Roger Moore took James Bond to new heights (literally) in Moonraker. The movie was a box office hit, but many critics (still to this day) felt that taking Bond into Outer Space was one step too far. Therefore the 1981 release, For Your Eyes Only, was a deliberate step back for the franchise, which allowed Roger Moore to play a more ruthless 007.
Roger Moore again played 007 in 1983's Octopussy, having beaten US Actor James Brolin for the role. The film has a terrific pre-title sequence, with 007 flying an Acro-Jet, and the film remains popular in India, where it was set and filmed.
At the age of 57, Roger Moore appeared as 007 for the seventh (and final) time in 1985's A View To A Kill, which featured Christopher Walken as the villainous Max Zorin, and former Charlie's Angel Tanya Roberts as geologist Stacey Sutton.
After his work as James Bond, Roger Moore took a step back from acting and focussed on his humanitarian work for Unicef. He has (however) appeared in numerous movies, such as The Quest (alongside Jean Claude Van Damme), Spice World, and Boat Trip, and cameoed in numerous tv shows, such as Alias.
Roger Moore also released an autobiography, My Word Is My Bond, in 2008, and appeared in Melbourne as part of his worldwide tour. I was lucky enough to attend his Melbourne visit, and have a signed copy of his book to remember the occassion.
Now onto the autograph! In the early 2000's I wrote a fan letter to Roger Moore in the UK, and was lucky enough to receive this inscribed photo in the mail soon after. Roger Moore is now contracted with an agency, and the profits for his autograph now go directly to Unicef.
Until next time!
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