Roger Moore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Roger Moore KBE
Moore in 1973
Born	Roger George Moore (1927-10-14)14 October 1927 Stockwell, London, England
Died	23 May 2017(2017-05-23) (aged 89) Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Burial place	Monaco Cemetery
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1945–2017
Known for	James Bond in seven feature films from 1973 to 1985 The Saint from 1962 to 1969
Spouse(s)	Doorn van Steyn ​ ​ (m. 1946; div. 1953)​ Dorothy Squires ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1968)​ Luisa Mattioli ​ ​ (m. 1969; div. 2000)​ Kristina Tholstrup ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	3, including Deborah
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Sir Roger George Moore (14 October 1927 – 23 May 2017) was a famous English actor. He is best known for playing the British secret agent James Bond in seven movies. He held this role from 1973 to 1985. This is the most times any actor has played Bond in the main film series.

Before James Bond, Moore starred as Simon Templar in the popular TV series The Saint (1962–1969). He also appeared in American TV shows like Maverick and The Persuaders!. Even after leaving Bond, he continued acting until 2017.

Beyond acting, Roger Moore was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1991. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for his charity work. In 2007, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Roger Moore's Early Life and Start in Acting

Roger Moore was born in Stockwell, London, on 14 October 1927. He was the only child of George Alfred Moore, a policeman, and Lillian "Lily" Pope. During World War II, he was sent away from London for safety. He went to schools in Devon and Cornwall.

Moore first worked at an animation studio but was fired. His father helped him get a job as an extra in the 1945 film Caesar and Cleopatra. This led to him studying acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). There, he learned the relaxed style he became known for.

At 18, after World War II, Moore joined the army. He became a captain and helped entertain soldiers in Germany.

Roger Moore's Career Beginnings (1945–1956)

Moore's first professional acting job was in Perfect Strangers (1945). He had small, uncredited parts in several other films. In 1949, he made his first TV appearance in a live show called The Governess.

In the early 1950s, Moore also worked as a model. He appeared in ads for clothes and toothpaste. This earned him the nickname "The Big Knit." He then moved to the United States to work in television.

In 1954, Moore signed a contract with MGM. He appeared in films like The Last Time I Saw Paris with Elizabeth Taylor. He also played a supporting role in The King's Thief and Diane. After two years, his contract with MGM ended.

Becoming a TV Star (1958–1972)

Playing Ivanhoe (1958–1959)

Moore's first big success was playing Ivanhoe in the TV series Ivanhoe. This show was based on a famous novel set in the 12th century. It was filmed in England and aimed at younger viewers. Moore did some of his own stunts, even breaking ribs once! He later joked about wearing the heavy armor.

Working with Warner Bros. (1959–1961)

After Ivanhoe, Moore signed with Warner Bros.. He appeared in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He then took the lead role in the Western TV series The Alaskans (1959–1960). Moore found this show very difficult to film because of the hot weather and heavy costumes.

Joining Maverick (1960–1961)

Moore then joined the popular Western series Maverick. He played Beau Maverick, an English cousin to the main characters. He appeared in 14 episodes. Moore later said he left the show because the scripts weren't as good as before.

The Saint TV Series (1962–1969)

Roger Moore (left) with Earl Green in The Saint

Moore became a household name playing Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint. This show was based on novels by Leslie Charteris. It was very popular in the UK and overseas. By 1967, Moore was an international star. The series helped him develop his smooth, witty style, which he later used for James Bond.

The Saint ran for six seasons and 118 episodes. Moore also directed nine of the later episodes. Some episodes were even turned into movies.

After The Saint and The Persuaders! (1969–1972)

After The Saint, Moore made two films: Crossplot (1969) and The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970). He said The Man Who Haunted Himself was one of the few times he was allowed to truly act.

Moore in 1971

Then, Moore starred with Tony Curtis in the TV show The Persuaders!. He was paid a huge amount of money, making him the highest-paid TV actor in the world at the time. The show was about two millionaire playboys on adventures in Europe. While it wasn't a huge hit in the US, it was very successful in other countries like Germany and Australia.

Becoming James Bond (1973–1985)

Moore in 1973

Roger Moore had been considered for James Bond before. But his commitment to The Saint and The Persuaders! kept him busy. After Sean Connery left the role, Moore was finally offered the part in 1972. He had to cut his hair and lose weight for the role, which he wasn't thrilled about.

First Bond Films (1973–1977)

Moore's first James Bond film was Live and Let Die (1973). It was a big success. He then made Gold (1974) and his second Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). This film featured Christopher Lee as the main villain.

He also made other action films like Street People (1976) and Shout at the Devil (1976).

Later Bond Films (1977–1985)

Moore returned for his third Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). This film was a huge hit and introduced the villain Jaws. He then starred in The Wild Geese (1978) and Escape to Athena (1979).

Roger Moore in 1979

His fourth Bond film was Moonraker (1979). He also made North Sea Hijack (1980) and the World War Two adventure The Sea Wolves (1980). Moore appeared in two comedies, Sunday Lovers (1980) and the hit film The Cannonball Run (1981).

Moore returned for his fifth Bond film, For Your Eyes Only (1981). He initially wanted to leave the role after this, but was convinced to come back for Octopussy (1983). In the same year, another Bond film, Never Say Never Again, starring Sean Connery, was released. This was called the "Battle of the Bonds."

Moore's final Bond film was A View to a Kill (1985). He was 58 when he retired from the role, making him the oldest actor to play Bond. He played the character for over 12 years in seven films.

Roger Moore's James Bond was known for his charm, humor, and witty lines. He often used gadgets and tricks to get out of trouble. Moore himself said, "My personality is different from previous Bonds. I'm not that cold-blooded-killer type. Which is why I play it mostly for laughs."

Life After James Bond (1986–2017)

Moore in 2012

After leaving Bond, Moore took a break from acting for five years. In the 1990s, he appeared in films like Bed & Breakfast (1992) and The Quest (1996). In 1997, he played "The Chief" in Spice World. He also had a small role in the 2002 film Boat Trip.

Moore was known for his distinctive raised eyebrow. The puppet show Spitting Image often made fun of this, showing his puppet only raising an eyebrow to show emotion. Moore found this funny and joked that he "only had three expressions as Bond: right eyebrow raised, left eyebrow raised, and eyebrows crossed when grabbed by Jaws."

He had a voice cameo in The Saint (1997) film. In 2010, he voiced a cat named Lazenby in Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, which had many Bond references. His last on-screen appearance was in 2017, in a remake of The Saint.

In 2015, Moore was named one of GQ's best-dressed British men. He also read a fairy tale for a children's app to help UNICEF.

Roger Moore's Humanitarian Work

Roger Moore was inspired by his friend Audrey Hepburn's work for UNICEF. In August 1991, he became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He used his fame to help children around the world. In 2004, he voiced Father Christmas in a UNICEF cartoon called The Fly Who Loved Me.

Roger Moore's Personal Life

Moore was married four times. His first marriage was to Doorn Van Steyn in 1946. They divorced in 1953.

In 1952, he met singer Dorothy Squires, who was 12 years older. They married in New York in 1953. Their marriage was difficult, and they moved back to the UK in 1961. Squires had several miscarriages during their marriage.

Moore at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival with wife Luisa Mattioli

In 1961, Moore left Squires for Italian actress Luisa Mattioli. Squires did not accept this and took legal action. Moore and Mattioli lived together for many years before Squires finally granted a divorce in 1969. Moore and Mattioli married in April 1969.

Moore had three children with Luisa Mattioli: Deborah, Geoffrey, and Christian. Deborah is an actress, and Geoffrey is also an actor and businessman. Christian is a film producer.

Moore and Mattioli separated in 1993. He then developed feelings for Kristina "Kiki" Tholstrup, a friend of Mattioli's. Moore later said his prostate cancer diagnosis in 1993 made him rethink his life. Mattioli did not grant Moore a divorce until 2000. Moore married Kristina Tholstrup in 2002. He described his marriage to Kristina as "tranquil" and without arguments. Kristina had a daughter, Christina Knudsen, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2016.

Roger Moore's Views and Later Life

Moore considered himself a conservative in politics. He supported the Conservative Party in the UK. However, he felt his work with UNICEF meant he shouldn't be too involved in politics.

He also supported Britain keeping its own currency, the pound sterling, instead of joining the Euro. He believed Britain should remain independent. Moore was a member of a trade union for entertainment workers until his death.

Moore became a tax exile in 1978, meaning he lived outside the UK to pay less tax. He lived in places like Monte Carlo, Tuscany, and Crans-Montana, Switzerland. He explained that high taxes in the UK at the time made it hard to save money if he didn't work.

Illness and Death

Roger Moore had several illnesses as a child. As an adult, he suffered from kidney stones. In 1993, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received successful treatment. In 2003, he collapsed on stage and had a pacemaker fitted for a slow heartbeat. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013.

The grave of Roger Moore in Monaco Cemetery

Roger Moore passed away in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on 23 May 2017. He died from cancers of the lung and liver. Many other James Bond actors paid tribute to him. He is buried in Monaco Cemetery.

Awards and Legacy

Roger Moore received many honors for his charity work and acting.

• In 1999, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
• In 2003, he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his charitable services, especially for UNICEF. He said this award meant more to him than any acting award.
• On 11 October 2007, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is fittingly located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard.
• In 2008, the French government made him a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
• In 2012, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire for his contributions to film and TV.

After his death, the Roger Moore Stage was opened at Pinewood Studios in 2017 to celebrate his life.

Awards for Charity Work

• 2012: UNICEF's UK Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2007: Dag Hammarskjöld Inspiration Award (UNICEF)
• 2004: UNICEF's Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award
• 2003: German Federal Cross of Merit for his UNICEF work
• 2003: Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
• 1999: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Lifetime Achievement Awards

• 2008: Commander of the French National Order of Arts and Letters
• 2007: Hollywood Walk of Fame
• 2004: TELEKAMERA (Lifetime Achievement Award, Poland)
• 2002: Monte Carlo TV Festival (Lifetime Achievement Award)
• 2001: Lifetime achievement award (Filmfestival, Jamaica)
• 1997: Palm Springs film festival, USA, Lifetime Achievement Award
• 1995: TELE GATTO (Italian TV; Lifetime Achievement Award)
• 1991: GOLDEN CAMERA (German TV; lifetime achievement award)
• 1990: BAMBI (Lifetime Achievement Award from the German magazine BUNTE)

Awards for Acting

• 1981: OTTO (Most popular Film Star; from German Magazine BRAVO)
• 1980: Golden Globe Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
• 1980: Saturn Award (Most Popular International Performer)
• 1973: BAMBI (shared with Tony Curtis for "The Persuaders")
• 1973: BEST ACTOR IN TV, award from the French magazine TELE-7-JOURS, shared with Tony Curtis for "The Persuaders"
• 1967: ONDAS-AWARD (Spanish TV for "The Saint")
• 1967: OTTO (Most popular TV-star for "The Saint")

Roger Moore's Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Books by Roger Moore

• Roger Moore as James Bond: Roger Moore's Own Account of Filming Live and Let Die (1973)
• My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography (2008)
• Bond on Bond: The Ultimate Book on 50 Years of Bond Movies (2012)
• Last Man Standing: Tales from Tinseltown (2014)
• À bientôt … (2017)

Images for kids

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  Moore, around 1960

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  Moore in The Alaskans

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  Moore as Beau Maverick

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  Moore and Kathleen Crowley in Maverick

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  Moore in 1973

See also

In Spanish: Roger Moore para niños