James Bond | Books, Movies, Actors, & Facts | Britannica (2024)

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Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

  • James Bond - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Also known as: Agent 007

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Top Questions

Who is James Bond?

James Bond is a British literary and film character. He is often depicted as a peerless spy, notorious womanizer, and masculine icon. He is also designated as agent 007 (always articulated as “double-oh-seven”) in the British Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6.

Who is James Bond based on?

There is no single historical figure the character James Bond is based on. Many have speculated that Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, likely drew inspiration from more than one secret agent he learned of from his experience working with British naval intelligence. Potential real-life inspirations for Bond included World War II secret agent F.F.E. Yeo-Thomas and Serbian double agent Dusko Popov.

When was James Bond created?

English novelist Ian Fleming first introduced the James Bond character in his 1953 thriller Casino Royale.

What does James Bond drink?

The most well-known drink James Bond requests is a vodka martini, with the specific direction that it be “shaken, not stirred.”

What actor portrayed James Bond in the most franchise films during the 20th century?

Roger Moore starred as James Bond in the most films produced by the “official” Bond franchise, Eon Productions Limited: seven. Sean Connery followed closely behind, having played the role in six Eon-produced Bond films. (Two Bond films from the 20th century were not produced by Eon and thus are often excluded from consideration.)

News

Former British soldier who broke out of prison is convicted of spying for Iran Nov. 28, 2024, 8:26 AM ET (AP)

Making 'Queer' required openness. Daniel Craig was ready Nov. 26, 2024, 10:15 AM ET (AP)

Hollywood stars gather for honorary Oscars event celebrating Quincy Jones, Bond producers, more Nov. 18, 2024, 2:21 PM ET (AP)

On the eve of Oscars honor, James Bond producers reflect on legacy and future of 007 Nov. 13, 2024, 7:49 PM ET (AP)

Nov. 12, 2024, 10:32 AM ET (AP)

James Bond, British literary and film character, a peerless spy, notorious womanizer, and masculine icon.

James Bond, designated Agent 007 (always articulated as “double-oh-seven”) in the British Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, was the creation of British novelist Ian Fleming, who introduced the character in his 1953 thriller Casino Royale. Bond was first conceived as a Cold War-era operative. Trained in intelligence and special forces, the superspy always used the latest gadgets, thwarted Soviet agents, brought international gangsters to justice, and inevitably bedded a beautiful woman. An enthusiastic gambler, he was nearly as loyal to his signature vodka martini as he was to the British crown and his Scottish roots. Although Bond radiated charisma and style, he was also intensely solitary and virtually friendless, despite his many trysts.

Fleming featured Bond in another 12 novels and additional short-story collections over the next 10 years. In 1962 the 007 novel Dr. No (1958) was adapted for film. Produced by Albert (“Cubby”) Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, it initiated one of the most successful movie franchises in history. After Fleming’s death, other writers continued producing new novels and original film stories in the series.

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Bond was portrayed by several screen actors, including Sean Connery in the 1960s, Roger Moore in the ’70s and ’80s, and Pierce Brosnan in the ’90s, and Bond remained effectively ageless throughout those decades. However, as Daniel Craig took up the role with a new adaptation of Casino Royale (2006), the character’s history was formally restarted, establishing him definitively as a post-Cold War hero born in 1968. Beginning in the 1990s films, in response to changing social attitudes, Bond’s chauvinism was softened. The Broccoli family continues to hold the production rights on all Bond movie adaptations.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by René Ostberg.

James Bond | Books, Movies, Actors, & Facts | Britannica (2024)
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