Farewell dearest Roger. All our love, Andrew and Madeleine— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 23, 2017
A message shared on the actor’s official Twitter account read: “With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated.” James Bond actor dies in Switzerland aged 89Family say he had short battle with cancerStatement says: ‘We are all devastated’Moore portrayed 007 in seven Bond filmsHe is also remembered for role in The SaintFans and friends pay tribute to Roger MooreSir Roger: ‘I was never very confident with girls’Why Roger Moore was the greatest James BondSir Roger Moore – The Telegraph obituaryRoger Moore: his life and career in picturesFormer James Bond star Sir Roger Moore has died in Switzerland at the age of 89 after a short battle with cancer, his family has announced. “Today, I think we’re very lucky to have Daniel Craig because he is quite extraordinary. I always say that Sean looked like a killer – but Daniel Craig would finish it off. Despite having been criticised somewhat throughout his decades-long career for having a lack of depth, Sir Roger remained self-deprecating.He once said he could not act “in the Olivier sense”, although he described himself as a good technician. ‘Thank you Pops for being you’The statement continued: “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 love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.” “The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Starring in 1978 film The Wild GeeseCredit: Allstar/Cinetext/RANK “In that Roger taught me what a movie star really was and should be,” she added. “Through his lifelong work with Unicef he showed me the true meaning of being a humanitarian and giving back. He was my Bond.” Sir Roger on 007Sir Roger was the longest-serving actor to play the womanising MI6 agent, having portrayed 007 in seven films.He held the title for a total of 14 years, from 1972 – when he was officially confirmed as 007 – to 1986, when his successor Timothy Dalton was formally announced. With Christopher Lee in The Man With The Golden GunCredit: Everett Collection / Rex Feature Roger Moore in his role as James BondCredit:
My dearest uncle Roger has passed on. What a sad, sad day this is. Loved the bones of him. Generous, funny, beautiful and kind. #ROGERMOORE— Michael Ball OBE (@mrmichaelball) May 23, 2017 “Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people.”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.”The statement was signed by Sir Roger’s children, Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian. Sir Roger in Moonraker, 1979Credit: “From his announcement as Sean Connery’s replacement in August 1972 to his retirement in December 1985, he thrilled and charmed a whole new generation of Bond fans and redefined the series.”They said that in his seven films, “he made James Bond his own”. “Arguably the greatest purveyor of Cool Britannia before the term had been invented, he kept the British end up as his reign as 007 saw Bond through the 1977 Silver Jubilee and national resurgence in the 1980s.”He was the Bond not only of his generation but the Daniel Craig generation by keeping Ian Fleming’s gentleman spy alive when people thought his best days were over. “I think that I’ve got an even-money chance to make it,” he told reporters. “After all, I’ve been around a long time in this business. I did The Saint on television for seven years.”He would end up playing 007 for twice that long. “You were a big part of my life, from The Saint to James Bond… you were a magnificent James Bond and one that lead the way for me, the world will miss you and your unique sense of humour for years to come. My sincerest condolences to your family and children. RIP.”The British Film Institute wrote on Twitter: “We’re sad to hear of the loss of one of the giants of British film and TV, Sir Roger Moore.”The official Bafta Twitter account wrote that it was “saddened to learn” of Moore’s death.Pinewood Studios described Moore as a “force of nature”, adding that “his humour and spirit will be missed by all of us”. At the time, he said the citation “meant far more to me than if I had got it for acting … I was proud because I received it on behalf of Unicef as a whole and for all it has achieved over the years”.
Seymour starred with Sir Roger in 1973’s Live and Let Die, his first as the M16 agent. Along with a picture of the two of them together, the actress wrote on Instagram: “I am devastated to learn of Roger Moore’s passing.”The first leading role I ever had as a Bond girl was such a new and frightening world and Roger held my hand and guided me through every process.”She said he taught her “about work ethic and humility”, adding that he was “funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him”. Sir Roger MooreCredit: Last year during a question-and-answer session at London’s Southbank Centre, he admitted that, despite winning the coveted role of the martini-swirling spy, one part he wished he had landed was Lawrence of Arabia.He said: “I remember Bob Baker and I going to see Lawrence of Arabia and coming out both being very depressed and saying ‘We might as well give up the business’, because they had made the best movie that had ever been made.” “We are all sad at the passing of a great British icon. Nobody did Bond better.” “When I saw Casino Royale, I thought that Daniel Craig did more action in the first seven minutes than I did in seven movies.” Sir Roger on actingWhile arguably best known for his role as 007, Sir Roger will also be remembered for his work in TV’s The Saint in the 1960s.He once joked of his role as Simon Templar in the spy thriller series, which he also produced: “When I was doing The Saint on television I had two expressions; as Bond I’ve managed to work up to four.” “The capacity crowd cheered him on and off stage, shaking the very foundations of the building just a short distance from where he was born. 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 (@sirrogermoore) May 23, 2017 The debonair star, who added a distinct light-hearted touch to the 007 role, also admitted that, while he thought Sir Sean Connery had been the greatest Bond, fans were “lucky” to have the current star of the franchise, Daniel Craig.He said: “I think that Sean was obviously the great Bond.”He was obviously the right person, he brought the right personality to the performance, otherwise Bond would not have gone on past the first six that he did. He was a tremendous Bond. Along with Bond films including Moonraker, A View To A Kill and The Man With The Golden Gun, Sir Roger appeared in movies such as The Cannonball Run, Spice World, The Boat That Rocked and The Man Who Wouldn’t Die.Off screen, he was respected for his charity work, and in 1999 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2003.
Roger Moore and Barbara Bach in 1976Credit: CHRIS CAPSTICK / Rex Features
Moore was officially unveiled as James Bond at a press conference at the Dorchester Hotel in London on August 1 1972.
Maud Adams, Roger Moore, Britt EklandCredit: Moviestore Collection/REX
Sir Roger in the Ivanhoe TV series in 1958Credit: Everett/REX/Shutterstock So sad to her Sir Roger Moore has died,he was a lovely man. R.I.P— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) May 23, 2017
They 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. Sir Roger Moore with Prince Philip at the Duke of Edinburgh Award 60th Anniversary Diamonds are Forever Gala in Buckinghamshire last yearCredit:REX/Shutterstock ‘Nobody did it better’Tributes to Sir Roger have been led by The James Bond International Fan Club, which has said “nobody did Bond better”.A statement from the club read: “Sir Roger will always be remembered as the most enduring actor to play 007 and as a great ambassador for the franchise. Pierce Brosnan, who also portrayed Bond in four films, described Sir Roger as “magnificent” as he shared a photograph online of the pair together.In a post on Instagram, he wrote: “Dear Sir Roger Moore, It is indeed with a heavy heart that I hear the news of your passing this morning.
Sir Roger has written two other autobiographies and a history of his years playing 007. O’Mara told The Bookseller he had “never worked with a more professional author or one with a more positive attitude to life”. We’re saddened to learn that Sir Roger Moore has passed awayhttps://t.co/laW0ZbRig1 pic.twitter.com/UI6eDmcanQ— BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 23, 2017 His knighthood was given for his humanitarian work, his main focus for many of his final years. Australian actor Russell Crowe tweeted: “Roger Moore, loved him.” British star Joan Collins shared two nostalgic photos of herself with Sir Roger, whose early 70s series The Persuaders! she guest-starred in.She tweeted: “Devastated to hear about my good friend Sir Roger Moore. He was the kindest, warmest, wittiest gentle man. Love to Kristina and his children.”Former Bond girl Jane Seymour paid tribute as she fondly described the actor as “my Bond”. Sir Roger’s new book Sir Roger submitted a final volume of memoirs just two weeks ago, his publisher revealed following the announcement of his death.Michael O’Mara said the book would be a “typically amusing and self-deprecating” look at growing old, and “a suitable subject for a man in his 90th year”. It includes sketches by Sir Roger, who was also an artist. In total he spent 5,118 days as James Bond and starred in seven films, beginning with Live And Let Die in 1973 and ending with A View To A Kill in 1985.Current 007 actor Daniel Craig is the second longest-serving Bond, having so far spent 4,239 days playing the secret agent. Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily Front Page newsletter and new audio briefings.
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