How Many Actors Played James Bond 007
As of the most recent public data, a total of seven actors have played James Bond 007 in the official Eon Productions film series, with one additional actor appearing in a non-Eon Casino Royale adaptation. The core Eon franchise spans over six decades and multiple reboots of the character. Each actor inherited the role with a distinct interpretation while maintaining the core elements of Ian Fleming's creation. The franchise remains one of the longest-running and highest-grossing film series in cinema history. For a detailed overview of the franchise and its financial performance, see the official Eon Productions overview and Forbes analysis of the James Bond box office legacy James Bond box office legacy.
The seven official Eon actors are Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, and the upcoming actor confirmed for the next installment. The non-Eon Casino Royale from 1967 featured David Niven in a comedic take, but that production is not part of the official Eon continuity. The current count of seven official actors is based on the films produced and distributed by Eon Productions and its partners. The franchise has been led by producers Albert R. Broccoli, his daughter Barbara Broccoli, and Michael G. Wilson. The next Bond film is in development with a new actor attached, which will mark the eighth official Eon Bond when released.
Official James Bond Actors and Film Timeline
Sean Connery originated the role in Dr. No in 1962 and returned for six Eon films, setting the benchmark for the character. George Lazenby played Bond once in On Her Majesty's Secret Service in 1969 before Connery reclaimed the role for Diamonds Are Forever and other films. Roger Moore followed with seven films from 1973 to 1985, making him the longest-serving Bond actor in terms of number of installments. Timothy Dalton then took over for two films in the late 1980s and early 1990s, aiming for a grittier interpretation of the source material.
Pierce Brosnan starred in four films from 1995 to 2002, bringing a modern action style to the franchise. Daniel Craig rebooted the series with Casino Royale in 2006 and played Bond in five films through 2021, becoming the highest-grossing Bond actor at the global box office. The next Bond film is currently in pre-production with a new actor confirmed by MGM and Amazon MGM Studios, continuing the Eon production model. The franchise has been distributed by United Artists and its successors, with Amazon completing its acquisition of MGM and the Bond library in 2022. For more details on the corporate ownership and production structure, see the Amazon MGM Studios press release and SEC filing summary on the MGM acquisition Amazon MGM acquisition filing.
Key Franchise Figures and Production Companies
The Broccoli family, through Eon Productions, has controlled the James Bond film series since its inception. Albert R. Broccoli co-founded the production company with Harry Saltzman, and after Saltzman's departure, the Broccoli family maintained creative and financial control. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson now oversee production, with the films financed through a mix of studio funding and international pre-sales. The corporate structure has