James Bond Star Roger Moore Has Died at Age 89

Rest in peace, Roger Moore.

The English actor — best known for portraying James Bond in seven James Bond films — sadly died at age 89 on Tuesday, May 23 after battling cancer.

Roger’s three adult children confirmed the unfortunate news via Twitter early Tuesday morning. “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer,” the statement began.

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“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone,” the message continued. “We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows, and his passionate work for UNICEF which he considered to be his greatest achievement.”

Roger as James Bond in 1980.

Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people,” the statement concluded. “Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father’s wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco.”

Roger is survived by his fourth wife, Kristina “Kiki” Tholstrup, and three kids Deborah Moore, 53, Geoffrey Robert Moore, 50, and Christian Moore, 44.

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The actor’s death comes nearly one year after Roger lost his stepdaughter, Christina Knudsen, to cancer at age 47 in July 2016. At the time, Roger said he was “heartbroken” over Christina’s death. “We were all with her, surrounding her with love, at the end,” he wrote at the time.

Roger with his wife, Kiki, in 2014.

In the early 1970s, Roger took over the coveted Agent 007 role from Sean Connery and made his first appearance as James Bond in the 1973 film Live and Let Die.

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He is now known as the longest-serving Bond to date. He later starred in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985).

Roger’s final film was the 2011 comedy-drama, A Princess for Christmas. Our thoughts are with the actor’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Check out the gallery to see all the stars who’ve played James Bond!

Sean Connery: 1962–67, 1971 and 1983

Sean, 86, was the first actor to portray Agent 007 in the original 1962 James Bond film, Dr. No. The movie's producers originally thought the 6'2" star was too muscular to play the elegant British spy, but thankfully they reconsidered!

Sean went on to play Bond in four additional films — From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice — before temporarily retiring from the role.

David Niven: 1967

In the mid 1960s, American producer Charles K. Feldman cast David — who sadly passed away in 1983 at age 73 — as James Bond in Casino Royale, after both Sean Connery and Peter Sellers turned down the role.

In Royale, the 56-year-old played a retired 007 who returns to special agent work to fight the mysterious Dr. Noah and SMERSH.

George Lazenby: 1969

For On Her Majesty's Secret Service producers chose Australian model George, 77, to play Bond!

The 1969 installment of the hit franchise was the star's first and last portrayal of the spy because his manager believed the James Bond films would lose their popularity and advised George not to sign a multi-movie contract.

Roger Moore: 1973–85

After Sean Connery's return to the coveted role for 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, Roger signed on to play Bond in seven movies. He currently holds the record for playing James Bond the most times in the official EON series!

Roger sadly passed away at age 89 in May 2017 after a short battle with cancer.

Timothy Dalton: 1986–94

Timothy, a Welsh stage and screen actor, was up next to play Bond in The Living Daylights and License to Kill.

The 71-year-old star's take on James Bond was highly regarded among the franchise's loyal fans, especially since his characterization of Agent 007 stuck very close to Ian Fleming's novels.

Daniel Craig: 2005–Present

After a four-year hiatus, the Bond films returned to the big screen starring Daniel, 49, for the 2006 installment, Casino Royale — the first movie to use author Ian Fleming's original title since 1987's The Living Daylights.

Quantum of Solace, became the highest grossing Bond movie to date with its release in 2008, but the blockbuster, Skyfall, broke that record in 2012, which marked the 50th anniversary of the franchise.

Daniel's fourth Bond film, Spectre, hit theaters in 2015. No official word yet if he'll continue with the franchise for more movies!