Bond wouldn’t be what he is without Roger Moore. And it is today the birthday of the owner of the most famous eyebrows in Bond history. The actor was born on October 14, 1927 and died on May 23, 2017.
He was born in Great Britain and for many he was the embodiment of Britishness. He started his career by accident. His policeman father was investigating the break-in at Brian Desmond Hurst’s home. He introduced his son to the director, who hired him on Caesar and Cleopatra (1945).
The raised eyebrow was Roger Moore’s trademark. He was joking that
… he had only three facial expressions as Bond: right eyebrow raised, left eyebrow raised and eyebrow drawn when caught by Smiley.
Indeed, the role of Agent 007, played seven times, secured him star status and eternal fame. He was a witty Bond, cracking jokes, he had grace and style. Earlier, in the 1960s, he also played Simon Templar in the memorable series Święty . After Bond, he had a 5-year break. It was probably difficult to go to the ordinary world and ordinary movies after all these explosions, unusual gadgets and the most beautiful women. He has gone on to star in a number of films, but none have surpassed Bond and Templar in popularity.
His favorite film, which he starred in, was The Man Who Persecuted Himself, based on the novel Strange Case of Mr. Pelham. It is a variation of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it tells the story of a man who, after an accident, finds out that his role has been taken over by a double.
It was a movie that I could really act in and not just flash my teeth white, nonchalant and heroic.
He was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, was awarded the Order of the British Empire, was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire for outstanding services to the British film and television industry. He was friends with the crowned heads of Europe.
His personal life was quite turbulent. During his long life he had four wives. Divorces did not go smoothly, there were lawsuits, long separations, accusatory books and multi-million dollar settlements. He finally found peace with Kristina “Kiki” Tholstrup.