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Pierce Brosnan pays tribute to 'magnificent' Roger Moore

Updated / Wednesday, 24 May 2017 07:09
Pierce Brosnan said of the late Roger Moore: "You were a magnificent James Bond and one that led the way for me"
Pierce Brosnan said of the late Roger Moore: "You were a magnificent James Bond and one that led the way for me"

Tributes have been pouring in for acting great Roger Moore who passed away on Tuesday, with fellow 007 Pierce Brosnan describing him as "a magnificent James Bond".

The screen legend died in Switzerland at the age of 89 after a "short but brave" battle with cancer.

In a touching tribute on Instagram, Irish actor Brosnan wrote: "Dear Sir Roger Moore, It is indeed with a heavy heart that I hear the news of your passing this morning.

"You were a big part of my life, from The Saint to James Bond... you were a magnificent James Bond and one that led 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."

In a statement to US trade publication The Hollywood Reporter, Bond great Sean Connery said: "I was very sad to hear of Roger's passing. We had an unusually long relationship by Hollywood standards that was filled with jokes and laughter. I will miss him."

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they were "heartbroken" at the news of Moore's passing.

"On the screen, he reinvented the role of James Bond with tremendous skill, charisma and humour," they said in a statement. 

"In real life, he was a genuine hero working as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for many years, dedicating his life to alleviating the suffering of children all over the world. 

"He was a loyal and beloved friend and his legacy shall live on through his films and the millions of lives he touched."

The James Bond International Fan Club said that "nobody did Bond better" than Moore.

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.

"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."

The fan club 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. We are all sad at the passing of a great British icon. Nobody did Bond better."

Russell Crowe was among the first stars to take to Twitter over the news, saying: "Roger Moore, loved him."

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."

Jane Seymour, who starred opposite Moore in his first Bond outing Live and Let Die, said he had taught her "about work ethic and humility". 

"He was so funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him and in that Roger taught me what a movie star really was and should be," Seymour continued. 

"Through his lifelong work with UNICEF he showed me the true meaning of being a humanitarian and giving back. He was my Bond."

Britt Ekland, Moore's co-star in 007 classic The Man with the Golden Gun, said he was "the epitome of Bond".

Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston posted a photo of him with the "generous and kind" Moore taken six months ago when they had a "great chat about acting and life".

Duran Duran, who sang the Bond theme for the Moore-starring A View to a Kill, simply said, "RIP Roger" alongside an image of the movie soundtrack.

Piers Morgan described the late star as a "wonderful actor and lovely man" with Pinewood Studios labelling him a "force of nature", adding that "his humour and spirit will be missed by all of us".

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