James Bond Actors – Complete List in Order from Connery to Craig

For six decades, the question of who plays James Bond has sparked conversation around the world. The role has been held by six official actors under the Eon Productions banner, with a handful of other performers taking on 007 in unofficial productions. This guide lays out every actor who has portrayed the character, the films they starred in, and what is known — and not yet known — about the future of the franchise.

The official James Bond film series began in 1962 with Dr. No and has continued uninterrupted for over 60 years. Each actor brought a distinct interpretation to the role, from Sean Connery’s cold charm to Daniel Craig’s emotional intensity. The search for the next Bond is now one of the most closely watched casting decisions in entertainment.

Understanding who has played Bond, in what order, and what lies ahead requires separating established fact from circulating rumor.

Who Are All the Official James Bond Actors?

Seven actors have played James Bond in feature-film productions, six of them in Eon films. The official list includes Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. David Niven also played Bond in the 1967 non-Eon film Casino Royale, and Barry Nelson portrayed an Americanized version in a 1954 television adaptation of Climax!.

Key Insights About the Bond Actors

• The official Bond actors span 60 years of cinema, from 1962 to 2021.
• Daniel Craig played Bond five times and was the only actor to complete a cohesive narrative arc across his tenure.
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Damson Idris are the most frequently cited names in speculation about the post-Craig era.
• Sean Connery remains the most famous and highest-grossing Bond, despite earning roughly $1.2 million adjusted for inflation for his work in the role.
• George Lazenby is the only actor to play the character in a single official Eon film before leaving the part.
• Roger Moore and Sean Connery both appeared in seven Bond films, the highest count in the series.
• Each of the six Eon-era Bonds has since left the role or passed away.

James Bond Actors Snapshot

For a deeper look at each performer, consult the James Bond Actors overview, which covers filmographies and biographical details in full.

What Is the Chronological Order of James Bond Actors?

The official Eon film series follows a strict chronological sequence determined by each actor’s debut film. Below is the film-by-film breakdown of every official release, grouped by the actor playing Bond.

Sean Connery Era (1962–1971)

Connery launched the series with Dr. No in 1962 and returned for From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). He also appeared in the non-Eon film Never Say Never Again (1983).

George Lazenby Interlude

Lazenby played Bond only once in the official series — On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) — making him the shortest-tenured actor in the role.

Roger Moore Era (1973–1985)

Moore took over with Live and Let Die (1973) and continued through The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985).

Timothy Dalton Era (1987–1989)

Dalton appeared in two films: The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). His portrayal marked a darker turn for the character.

Pierce Brosnan Era (1995–2002)

Brosnan revived the series with GoldenEye (1995), followed by Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002).

Daniel Craig Era (2006–2021)

Craig rebooted the franchise with Casino Royale (2006) and went on to star in Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021). His five-film run is the only one to follow a single character arc from beginning to end.

For a film-by-film reference, the James Bond Actors List provides a complete index of every movie and its leading man.

Who Is the Next James Bond Actor in 2026?

As of 2025, no actor has been officially cast as the next James Bond. Multiple media outlets have reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the leading candidate, but Eon Productions has not confirmed any name. The question of who will replace Daniel Craig remains unanswered in any official capacity.

The Reported Frontrunners

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, and Damson Idris are the names most frequently mentioned in trade reports and entertainment news. Taylor-Johnson in particular has been described as the frontrunner by several outlets. However, none of these actors have confirmed an offer or a formal audition process.

What the Producers Say

Barbara Broccoli, the producer at Eon Productions, stated in 2022 that the studio had not yet begun the search for the next Bond. That statement contrasts with the volume of media speculation that has emerged since. No official timeline for an announcement has been provided.

Which James Bond Actors Have Died?

Four performers who played Bond in either official or notable productions are deceased. Public records confirm their deaths, but the details are scattered across obituaries and databases.

Sean Connery died on October 31, 2020, at age 90. Roger Moore died on May 23, 2017, at age 89. George Lazenby died in 2025. David Niven, who played Bond in the 1967 unofficial Casino Royale, died in 1983. Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan are both retired and alive. The list above reflects the most widely reported information.

What Are the Key Milestones in Bond Film History?

The timeline below covers the most significant casting and release events across the official Eon series.

1. 1962: Dr. No released — Sean Connery debuts as James Bond.
2. 1969: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service — George Lazenby’s only Bond film.
3. 1973: Live and Let Die — Roger Moore takes over the role.
4. 1987: The Living Daylights — Timothy Dalton’s first Bond film.
5. 1995: GoldenEye — Pierce Brosnan becomes Bond after a legal delay.
6. 2006: Casino Royale — Daniel Craig’s gritty reboot of the series.
7. 2021: No Time to Die — Craig’s final film; Bond’s narrative arc concludes.
8. 2025+: Bond 26 in development — no actor officially announced.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Bond’s Future?

Why Does the James Bond Casting Cycle Matter?

The selection of a new Bond actor is both a cultural event and a commercial milestone. Each performer has redefined the character for their era — from Connery’s suave brutality to Daniel Craig’s emotional realism. The current search for Bond 26 reflects broader shifts in entertainment: the rise of streaming-era star power, conversations about diversity in casting, and the tension between maintaining franchise continuity and reinventing a decades-old property.

The choice of the next actor will likely signal the direction of the series for the next decade. Whether the franchise leans toward a younger, more action-oriented lead or a seasoned dramatic performer remains a matter of widespread speculation.

What Do the Official Sources Say About Casting?

Public statements from Eon Productions provide the most reliable information about the casting process. Media speculation, while often detailed, is not official and should be treated as such.

“We haven’t even started [looking for the next Bond] yet.”

— Barbara Broccoli, Eon Productions (2022)

“Seven actors in total have portrayed Bond in film.”

— Wikipedia, Portrayal of James Bond in film

“The next James Bond is on everyone’s lips. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill… are front of mind.”

— GQ UK (2025)

For authoritative background on the entire film series, refer to the Wikipedia: Portrayal of James Bond in film page, which documents every official and unofficial portrayal. Additional background is available via IMDb: Actors who have played James Bond and the Eon Productions official site.

What Is Next for James Bond?

The immediate future of the franchise depends on an official casting announcement, which is widely expected between 2025 and 2026. Production on Bond 26 will likely follow in 2026, with a theatrical release estimated for 2027 or 2028. The involvement of Amazon MGM, which acquired distribution rights, may also influence the franchise’s direction, including the possibility of spin-offs. Until Eon confirms a name, the identity of the next James Bond remains unknown.

Frequently Asked Questions