Ranking the 7 James Bond Actors by Who Best Delivers the Famous Line, “Bond, James Bond”

Sauve and sophisticated. Resourceful and refined. Brave and bold. From the early days of James Bond — defined by sultry grins, unbesmirched tailored suits, and a cigarette hanging just so from the lips — to the later interpretations, which feature a little more ruthless hand-to-hand combat and fiery explosions, James Bond remains one of film’s most frequented and celebrated characters. Over the years, many actors have stepped into the spy’s suit and ties, and many have taken a swing at the famous line, “Bond, James Bond,” so who delivered the line with the most conviction? Who carries all the charm and confidence, all the seduction and sobriety without wavering into the cheesy?

7. George Lazenby

Lazenby portrayed Bond in only one film — On Her Majesty’s Secret Service — reportedly leaving the franchise behind when he expected that hippie culture would permeate society and bury Bond’s ideologies under free love and flower-adorned pants. When he picks up the telephone and announces his name in the film, it’s uttered with a somewhat detached nonchalance that leaves much to be desired. While it’s one thing to downplay the line to avoid veering into melodramatics, it’s another to fail to imbue the line with the flair made a necessity by Sean Connery. When he utters the elongated version, “My name’s Bond, James Bond” on the beach, while on top of a bikini-clad woman, it comes across as silly in its forced flirtation. The side-smile feels cutesy and almost childlike as opposed to debonair and refined.

6. David Niven

Niven was an “elderly Bond,” as he took on the character when he was a 56-year-old gent. Thus, he reflects a different disposition and follows a less womanizing narrative trajectory — eschewing the trails of beautiful women customarily left in 007’s wake in favor of a man who eats royal jelly and plays Claude Debussy on the piano. However, before jumping into his interpretation, it’s important to note that this film is a parody and thus Niven’s take is imbued with a spoofy and sardonic tone.

In 1967’s Casino Royale, the likes of Woody Allen, Peter Sellers, and Ursula Andress all take on the James Bond mantle, but Niven is meant to be seen as the book-accurate, prototypical Bond. His delivery of the line is intentionally over the top and played for laughs, yet he nonetheless retains that expected air of sophistication inherent to the character. He both subverts the character’s well-known somber intentionally while adhering to his worldliness and poise, which is no easy balance to strike. 

5. Timothy Dalton

Dalton portrayed Bond in two movies — The Living Daylights (1987) and License to Kill (1989) — and brought a more intense, gritty, visceral toughness to the role. He epitomized the action hero title that has come to define the character in later generations. With a fierce gaze and a rugged jawline, his Bond was at once intimidating and intriguing. While lounging with the phone in one hand, he utters his name with a calm and commanding presence; there’s even an ever-so-slight tired breathiness to it suggesting the exhausting nature of the mission he has been on. His nonchalance is indicative of his no-nonsense attitude. It was a no-frills version of the line that complemented his overall interpretation perfectly, but we did miss the saucy charm just a smidge. 007’s name, in Dalton’s hands, was a statement of purpose not a coy announcement of boudoir finesse.

4. Pierce Brosnan

Appearing in four James Bond films, including the beloved GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan remains one of the most memorable Bonds — despite the controversy surrounding the overwrought action sequences and quippy dialogue inherent to his 007 installments. Brosnan had the suave and charismatic nature akin to Moore, yet he also wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, so we got the best of both worlds when it came to the debonair and the destructive. He was an action hero who could also work a room. He was romantic and witty. Just as passionate as he was undaunted. His “Bond, James Bond” delivery was seductive and confident. A devil-may-care attitude poured from his lips when introducing himself, yet he did not sacrifice any solemnity despite his slightly overwrought charm.

3. Roger Moore

Roger Moore is one of the most prolific James Bonds, as he portrayed the character in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985. Roger Moore’s Bond was charming and sophisticated. He walked with his hands behind his back and boasted a slow and steady gait indicative of his high-class persona. He didn’t get his hands dirty as much as the other Bonds, preferring to charm his way out of dodge. A distinctive eyebrow raise became the mark of his interpretation — relaying a touch of humor and playfulness. When introducing himself to women, his “Bond, James Bond” always carried an of air of flirtation. He leaves just enough time between the start and end of the utterance to allow the beauties to swim in the waters of his piercing blue eyes. A smirk crawls across his face —and despite what some critics have deemed too tongue-in-cheek — it works for the dapper dresser. When talking with men, the enunciation is more stern and focused. Now it’s about business. Before, it was business plus the bedroom.

2. Daniel Craig

A blonde-haired Bond! It just won’t work.  Despite unfounded, early casting criticisms, Craig brought James Bond into the 21st century with full-fledged physicality, minimal silly spy gadgetry, and political consciousness. He was vulnerable and a bit more emotionally complex than his womanizing predecessors. Yet, he was still brooding and rugged, retaining the qualities inherent to traditional notions of machismo. The way he delivers the line is commanding and stoic. It’s measured and minimalistic, straying from the dramatics of a suave introduction that would not fit the time or the film’s tone. There’s a sense of restraint at times, indicative of the character’s reserved and contemplative nature. That being said, it still feels true to the decades-old Bond lore; it’s still endearing and confident without being seductive. He pays homage to the character’s origins while creating a Bond with more modern sensibilities. 

1. Sean Connery

At the end of the day, no one does it better than Connery. Connery starred in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. He was the first Bond, and will always be the actor subsequent performers will strive to live up to. Connery’s Bond was a charismatic smooth talker whose confidence was irresistible. The way he delivered “Bond, James Bond” as a cigarette dangled gently from his lips boasted a seductive flair and charm.

He portrayed an alluring laissez-faire calmness that communicated assuredness, not apathy. With those luscious eyebrows and brushed-back dark hair, he commanded a room. All eyes were on him the second he began to speak with a deep intonation and perfectly paced delivery. He lingers on certain words to add a little drama and panache. Yet, the stylization never feels campy; it’s simply compelling.