Sir Roger Moore - one of the most famous James Bonds - dies
"You can either grow old gracefully or begrudgingly. I chose both."
— Sir Roger Moore
The dapper British actor who is best known as the longest-serving James Bond died on Tuesday (May 23) in Switzerland after a brief battle with cancer. He was 89.
Moore was the third actor to officially play Bond and was seen the lead role in seven 007 films.
His family members, in an official statement, revealed that the actor — who was seen in leading roles in television productions such as The Saint, The Persuaders and has served as Unicef's goodwill ambassador in 1991 — "will have a private funeral in Monaco in accordance with his wishes".
With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated. pic.twitter.com/6dhiA6dnVg
— Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) May 23, 2017
Raised in London, and son of a policeman, Moore once quipped that the image he portrayed both on and off the screen was a "carefully nurtured cover for his shyness and timidity". He also said he was terrified of playing the sex scenes which were a key part of the Bond movies.
Tributes poured in on Twitter from celebs, friends and millions of his admirers.
The ultimate James Bond... so sad to hear that Roger Moore has passed away. Thoughts and prayers are with his family...???????????? pic.twitter.com/2iU7pl78uG
— Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) May 23, 2017
Saddened to hear Sir Roger Moore has passed away. James Bond should never die.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 23, 2017
Few are as kind & giving as was Roger Moore. Loving thoughts w his family & friends. He will be missed too by UNICEF pic.twitter.com/fYAEUqAaaw
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) May 23, 2017
#RIP Roger pic.twitter.com/eh9EKIxu0G
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) May 23, 2017
Roger Moore , loved him
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 23, 2017
Waking up to the terrible news that Sir Roger Moore is no longer with us. A big part of my childhood just died. pic.twitter.com/JT2GtrZ1W8
— Axelle Carolyn (@AxelleCarolyn) May 23, 2017
We all had a first Bond. And maybe "Moonraker" wasn't the best of them, but it was a maiden voyage, and so Roger Moore was it, always. #RIP
— Josh Elliott (@JoshElliott32) May 23, 2017
Loved both The Saint and The Persuaders too. What a life he had. #RogerMoore
— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) May 23, 2017
The first movie my dad ever took me to was "The Spy Who Loved Me." It made Roger Moore my… https://t.co/OwvI1Y79iX
— Eric Dean Seaton (@EricDeanSeaton) May 23, 2017
Godspeed Sir Roger Moore, aka Seymour Goldfarb from the greatest film ever made, The Cannonball Run. pic.twitter.com/XMrwszPm2i
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) May 23, 2017
Farewell dearest Roger. All our love, Andrew and Madeleine
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 23, 2017
"Wow! If your fly weren't open, you'd look just like Roger Moore!" #RIPRogerMoore pic.twitter.com/nwJVmfxgSn
— The Simpsons (@Simpsons_tweets) May 23, 2017
Oh no. As if today wasn't already sad enough. RIP Sir Roger Moore, 89.A wonderful actor & lovely man. pic.twitter.com/MHi2A6jvTQ
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 23, 2017
RIP. Name is James....Roger Moore ....Bond. pic.twitter.com/0GLD7m8WUY
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 23, 2017