The buzz for the Oscars 2016 is just getting started (Will a blockbuster make the cut? Will Leonardo DiCaprio finally break his Curse?). Let’s set the mood by focusing on one of the all-time great characters in cinema and popular literature: Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
Which actor gets your vote for “Best James Bond of All Time”?
Sean Connery
Starting with Dr. No in 1962, Connery established James Bond’s character in the public imagination. He played Bond in seven films overall.
David Niven
Niven was Ian Fleming’s first choice to play Bond. Niven played an aging Bond in Casino Royale (after Sean Connery turned down the role).
George Lazenby
George Lazenby received mixed reviews for his one performance as James Bond. The actor seemed to have second thoughts about the character as well. He quit the role before the release of the film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. 
Roger Moore
Roger Moore, played Bond as a somewhat comedic, debonair gentleman. Starting with Live and Let Die in 1973, Moore played Bond in seven films.
Timothy Dalton
As played by actor Timothy Dalton, the character of James Bond took on ruthless and dark characteristics. His version never caught fire with moviegoers, however. He played Bond in two films.
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan’s Bond recaptured the elegance and wit of the Moore era. He played Bond in four films.
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig is the current incarnation of James Bond; his is widely considered to be one of the most authentic portrayals of Ian Fleming’s characters–emphasizing strength over suaveness. 
Your favorite Bond?
Which incarnation of Bond is your all-time favorite? Let us know in the Comments!
Well really my vote doesn’t count. I’ve only seen one Bond film. I grew up watching 70’s and 80’s TV, so I was familiar with Pierce Brosnan, which is why I went to see him as Bond. But I never latched on to the legend of James Bond.
Sean Connery and Daniel Craig are my personal favorites.
I’m currently watching FLEMING: THE MAN WHO WOULD BE BOND on Netflix. Once I’m finished, I may add Dominic Cooper, the actor playing Ian Fleming, to my list of favorite “Bonds.”
I’m about to click my Netflix app to watch that one, Sheryl! Sounds fantastic!
If I may, I believe each actor reflected the culture “at large” in his portrayal of Bond (James Bond…), more than as a “fleshing out” Fleming’s character (even if the movie versions didn’t always come close to following the plots – especially the Moore series of films).
Connery and the “coolness” of the 60’s…
Moore and the “disco-hedonist-ness” of the 70’s…
Blah-blah-blah… 🙂
That said, though, I believe Craig has added more depth, if not darkness, to 007… though most of his incarnations are not from original Fleming works, which, IMHO, is where the coloring and backstory originate… (and I’m a Connery fan, too…)
I’ve grown up with Bond and always loved him. I’ve even read many of the books. I’ve found something to love in every incarnation, but always held the warmest spot for Sean Connery as James Bond (even though I like a lot of the Rodger Moore era movies better – maybe it was the cars – I have an equal sweet spot for those). Until Daniel Craig. For me Daniel Craig’s version is the definitive Bond. He is definitely the most action-oriented and actually engaged Bond. His screen presence, action bend, and even they way they dressed him were like a blending of old and new – like they crossed Steve McQueen in with Bond and gave us Wow.
Bond is not just a ladies man, he’s a man’s man now. I also think his run has shown Bond more as a person than a caricature, more of why he is who he is and the fallout from that as well. I was sad to hear that Craig would rather slice his own wrists than do another Bond movie. He made Bond vital, virile, and vulnerable in excellent proportions.
Of course many names are and have been bandied around for next or new Bonds. Now that we’ve had a more vibrant, actiony, youthful Bond, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to go back to a more affable “too slick”, easy going, “gentle”manly version again. I keep hearing from everyone they’d like Huge Jackman or Idris Elba (they’re getting a little in the “older” window like Craig at this point) both would be fine. However, I think if I had to cast someone for my next Bond book/movie now, because Craig was off the table, my preference at this moment would be Michael Fassbender – who played Magneto in the newer X-men movies (& as the current Steve Jobs).
This is an interesting discussion – because I think many of us do “cast” our story characters. In Bond, you can see how casting and story can make very different characters and stories. It’s all about the choices. Also fun, because Just like Ian Flemming – we put our cast of characters and stories out there and the director and audience (our readers), put in the final touches and personalize each to their own unique flavor and version.
It’s hard not to pick Sean Connery, since he was the first, but I am a Roger Moore fan!
Sean Connery. Sean Connery. Pierce Brosnan (but my outlook is probably colored by all those Remington Steele episodes). I was reading the original Bond books when the first movies came out, and for me, that’s Bond. The “newer” ones with nothing but car chases and impossible action scenes are a turnoff.
Daniel Craig is my favorite, yet who does not like Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan?
When the Bond movies first emerged, I think audience expectations were different. We seem to prefer grittier heroes, and Daniel Craig fits that role well.
My favorite James Bond movie so far, including the newly released, Specter, is Skyfall.
Sean Connery beats all, in my opinion. Secondly, I enjoyed Roger Moore’s humorous take on the character. I think it’s time for a new actor again.
I was always a Connery fan until I saw Skyfall. I was fully prepared to not like it at all but I loved it. Maybe I loved the movie more than its star because it was the first Bond movie that didn’t treat Bond as a cartoon or caricature. The backstory they gave Craig’s Bond was fascinating and humanizing. Plus, you gotta love a story that has the guts to kill off a beloved character.
So, my vote goes to Connery but mostly because I am a child of the 60s. My fave Connery role remains the aging Robin Hood opposite the luminous Audrey Hepburn in “Robin and Marion.”
You missed one. The best Bond was the first one–Barry Nelson (bet you didn’t know that, did you? Look it up).
I knew some sharp-eyed Ian Fleming/Bond fan would catch anything I overlooked! Here’s a link to a mention of Nelson, and a couple of others! http://www.007james.com/articles/who_played_james_bond.php
Thanks, Jim!
The Blond Bond — Daniel Craig!
There is still only ONE Bond–Sean Connery. But Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig get my second-place vote. Timmy Dalton? It is to laugh. That prissy little dive that he does into the water on the WaveKrest? Unh-unh.
Daniel Craig, and for me it’s not even close. With Daniel Craig you get the whole package, a fully developed three dimensional character that you know has a backstory, his own emotions and motivations, and a bit of glib humor (but without the over the top campiness of Roger Moore). I’m sure part of this is because DC is a much better actor than those that have played him before. IMO the opening scene in Casino Royale (the black and white assassination) sets the tone for the Daniel Craig/James Bond character: serious, brooding, willing to do what he has to, etc. He also exudes sex, but without being overt and obnoxious, and that’s hard to pull off. These last few films have been a quantitative leap forward. Assuming Roger Moore was decades younger he would just not fit in to the current Bond world.
Sean Connery has always creeped me out. Maybe it’s the “sexiest man” thing, when he’s old enough to be my grandfather, or his previous statements that it’s ok to slap a woman with an open hand, but I just recoil from him. When I was a little kid Roger Moore was JB, so I grew up with that as my standard. I enjoyed it/him when I was a kid, but I cringe when I watch those movies now. Funny how one’s perspective changes over time.
I must do some sort of writer’s penance for using the word “quantitative” instead of “qualitative”. Yikes.
I agree, Cat–Craig is my fave, although going in, I thought I was going to have a problem with a blond Bond! There’s more to Bond than dark hair and a martini, I quickly learned.
Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig in that order
Easy… Daniel Craig:)
WOW. Lots of diversity and strong opinions on this (not that that’s surprising). Always entertaining to hear a variety of takes.
I should be fair to the guys next week by asking “Who was the Best Bond Girl?” Stay tuned!
I think Lazenby could have been the 2d best Bond, after Connery, if he hadn’t melted down. OHMSS is a really good Bond film.
I’ve seen them all. Used to go with my dad, now I go with my husband. Roger Moore and Daniel Craig tie for opposite reasons. Moore for his suave sophistication, Craig for his edgy. Did you see Spectre? The plot twists, the cinematography, the allusions to previous movies. So well done.