By Travis Johnson
Veteran British actor Sir Roger Moore has passed away in Swizterland. His family issued a statement saying that the former James Bond had died after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 89.
With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated. pic.twitter.com/6dhiA6dnVg
— Sir Roger Moore (Legacy) (@sirrogermoore) May 23, 2017
Moore remains best known for his seven film stint as Ian Fleming’s 007, taking on the role of the super spy following Sean Connery’s iconic run and George Lazenby’s one film appearance. Moore played the role from 1973 to 1985, starting with Live and Let Die and finishing on A View to a Kill. Prior to that he was famous as Leslie Charteris’ debonair thief, Simon Templar, in the long-running TV series, The Saint, as well as his turns in Ivanhoe and The Persuaders.
Outside of Bond, Moore was a dependable presence in a number of action films, with his collaborations with Andre V. McLaglen, The Wild Geese, The Sea Wolves, and North Sea Hijack, being particularly worthwhile. He was not afraid to send himself up in the likes of Cannonball Run and even Spice World. Indeed, many of his later appearances played upon his Bond persona – check out his brief turn in the spy series Alias.
Outside of his film work, Moore was a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF from 1991 onwards.
The much-married Moore is survived by his fourth wife, Kristina Tholstrup, and three children.
