By Whitney Scott Bain
It with deep, sad regret to report that Sir Roger Moore who made an indelible impression on us as Simon Templar of the Saint series and James Bond has left us at the age of 89 due to complications of cancer.
Born in Stockwell, London on October 24, 2017 he was the son of a policeman. Sir Roger originally wanted to be an artist, but focused on acting when he became and extra. After serving in the British army during World War II,
After the war, Sir Roger studied acting on the stage where he garnered much success. His 6’1”, striking, good looks and charming personality, led him to get a contract working for Metro Goldwyn Mayer in 1953.
While in Hollywood, he was hired at Warner Brothers to play Cousin Beau in the “Maverick” television series joining the other actors that portrayed the Maverick brothers, Jim Kelly, James Garner and Robert Colbert.
In the 1962, he was selected to play Simon Templar for the “Saint” series that catapulted him into an international star.
1971 teamed him up with Tony Curtis in the adventure series, “The Persuaders.”
During that period, producer Cubby Broccoli was impressed with his work and he was chosen to play the iconic hero, James Bond in seven films beginning with “Live and Let Die” and finish with “A View to A Kill” which he was 57 at the time.
Other notable appearances include, “Ivanhoe,” “The Man Who Wouldn’t Die,” “Shout At the Devil,” “Street People” with Stacy Keach, the “Wild Geese,” the “Third Man” television series, “Sherlock Holmes In New York” alongside John Huston as the evil Professor Moriarity, “Cannonball Run,” “Ffolkes,” and comedy “Bullseye” with friend, Michael Caine.
In a classic “Saint” episode, a woman who thinks he’s a secret agent asks him, “You’re not really James Bond are you?” Sir Roger looks up and the animated halo appears over his head. It’s a memorable scene.
A gentleman in real life as he was on screen, we will never see the likes of his charm, wit and class ever again. Sir Roger will always be remembered by all of us.
Writer Whitney Scott Bain was fortunate to meet Sir Roger Moore at the “Moonraker” screening years ago. “He was a true gentleman.”
