'James Bond' actor Sir Roger Moore dies age 89
Actor Sir Roger Moore, best known for playing British secret agent James Bond, has died at the age of 89.
News of Moore’s death was shared by his “devastated” children via the actor’s Twitter account on Tuesday.
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
Described as an actor, UNICEF ambassador and author, Moore passed away in Switzerland “after a short but brave battle with cancer.”
“Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people,” the statement read, before adding that a private funeral will be held in Monaco “in accordance with our father’s wishes”.
We are heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Goodwill Ambassador and friend Sir Roger Moore. All our thoughts are with Sir Roger's family pic.twitter.com/SXVuSvEpPt
— Unicef UK (@UNICEF_uk) May 23, 2017
“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.”
Moore is the first Bond of the film franchise to pass away. He played the secret agent in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985.
“The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in november 2016 on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.”
Moore was knighted in 2003 for his charity work, at the time he said the honor “meant far more to me than if I had got it for acting.”
RIP Roger Moore: the longest-serving (and the best) of all the big screen Bonds. pic.twitter.com/WTA1vfzGJW
— Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) May 23, 2017
Born in London on October 14, 1927, Moore is survived by his fourth wife Kristina Tholstrup and his three children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian.
Fans and peers alike took to Twitter to share their condolences and fond memories of the actor, as well as the impact his iconic role played in their lives.
I am devastated today at loosing one of my oldest and closest friends ROGER MOORE, my world will never be the same again.
— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) May 23, 2017
RIP Sir Roger Moore. My first Bond and one of the first actors that I loved as a kid. And a lovely, funny, warm person to boot. Farewell.
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) May 23, 2017
My dearest uncle Roger has passed on. What a sad, sad day this is. Loved the bones of him. Generous, funny, beautiful and kind. #ROGERMOORE
— Michael Ball OBE (@mrmichaelball) May 23, 2017
We’re sad to hear of the loss of one of the giants of British film & TV, Sir Roger Moore: https://t.co/45tLJIeUxHpic.twitter.com/91WNWVbXKE
— BFI (@BFI) May 23, 2017
Farewell dearest Roger. All our love, Andrew and Madeleine
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 23, 2017
Roger Moore , loved him
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 23, 2017
Saddened @sirrogermoore passed today. Had a great chat about acting & life 6 mo. ago. Generous and kind. RIP Mr. Bond pic.twitter.com/kVd92inLNr
— Bryan Cranston (@BryanCranston) May 23, 2017
He was the Bond I grew up watching, and had style to spare. The only man in the world who could pull off that safari suit. RIP.
— Chris Hewitt (@ChrisHewitt) May 23, 2017
RIP Sir Roger Moore.
— Jack Howard (@JackHoward) May 23, 2017
As James Bond you helped shape my childhood. Thank you for that.
My thoughts are with his family.
The suavest and most debonair James Bond of them all.
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) May 23, 2017
Always keeping the British end up.
RIP Sir Roger Moore. pic.twitter.com/fEd7aIpjtJ
His name was Bond. The best there was. #RIPRogerMoorepic.twitter.com/1u5u24Nlhy
— Allari Naresh (@allarinaresh) May 23, 2017
