The Best James Bonds: Ranking the Actors who played the Iconic Hero

James Bond is one of the longest living and adored characters in cinematic history. With the first movie coming out in 1962, Skyfall marks the 50^th anniversary of the world class British spy. Daniel Craig marks the sixth actor to play Bond and although his casting was panned, his performance was widely praised. In honor of Skyfall  coming out this week, I have ranked my favorite James Bonds of all time from worst to best. 

#6 George Lazenby

With only one film as Bond under his belt, Lazenby is the least popular and well-known Bond. He won the role due to his performance in a screen-test fight scene. In his only film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, he had tensions with the director and Connery was eventually lured back to the role. 

#5 Timothy Dalton

Dalton was only cast as Bond only due to Pierce Brosnan’s lack of availability. Dalton did a great job in his first installment, The Living Daylights, which was both a critical and financial success. However, his follow up, License to Kill, was exceptionally lackluster and he rendered easily replaceable.

#4 Roger Moore

With 7 films under his belt, Moore is tied for the most Bond films of all time. A suave ladies Man, Moore is often remembered for his sexual exploits than his fighting style. He was a bit soft compared to some of his predecessors and successors, making him fourth in this list. 

 #3 Pierce Brosnan

Bronsnan averaged the most kills per film making him the most lethal Bond of them all. With four films under his belt, Brosnan was impeccably suave, sophisticated, charming and daring, establishing himself as an immediate fan favorite. The only blemish on his career was the poorly done Die Another Die, which lead the franchise to decide to go in a new route. 

#2 Daniel Craig

Although he is still new, Craig’s first two performances as bond were stellar and Skyfall could make him number one on this list. Craig is intense, ripped, and incredibly believable as the world class spy who manages to fight and survive every encounter he faces. By far the most believable fighter and spy, Craig was the first actor to be nominated for a BAFTA (the British equivalent to the Academy Awards) for playing bond. 

#1 Sean Connery

Having created the legend, the man is James Bond. Tall, dark, handsome, charming and suave, he created one of the most envied men in all of cinema history. Connery also had the broad build of a fighter, as he was an amateur bodybuilder who even competed in the Mr. Universe contest.  His portrayal received the blessing from Ian Fleming himself and is one of the reasons the legend of James Bond has lived on for 50 years.