James Bond actor Roger Moore passes away

English actor Roger Moore, who played iconic character James Bond, has passed away at the age of 89 in Switzerland.

The much-loved English actor, who made his name on the small screen before taking on the role of 007, died earlier this week “after a short but brave battle with cancer,” Roger Moore’s children announced.

His acting career spanned eight decades, but he was best known for playing the third incarnation of James Bond as well as his roles in hit shows ‘The Saint’ and ‘The Persuaders’.

He also became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 1991 and devoted a lot of his time to humanitarian work.

Moore had initially turned down the role of James Bond due to scheduling conflicts with his television roles. However, when Sean Connery had stepped down from the role for good, Moore accepted the task and made his first Bond film in 1973, the well-received ‘Live and Let Die’.

He went on to star in another six films as 007 over a period of 12 years, making him the longest running actor in the role. He finally retired from the role in 1985 when he was 58.

“During my early acting years I was told that to succeed you needed personality, talent and luck in equal measure,” Moore said, adding that, “I contest that. For me it’s been 99% luck. It’s no good being talented and not being in the right place at the right time.”

In 2003, Moore was granted a knighthood for his charitable work. He is survived by his wife and three children.

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