Roger Moore recently passed away after putting up a short but brave fight with cancer. He was 89. But, like they say; great men depart, but their legacy continues. Moore was the replacement of Sean Connery and became the longest serving James Bond till date. His take on the famous 007 is considered to be one of the most elegant and suave of all.
However, not a lot of people know that the superstar has been a part of many other successful projects prior to becoming James Bond. Some characters which might not be as legendary as Bond, but nonetheless helped in shaping up his career and established him on the world map as a global icon.
As his legacy should continue, and because he is much more than just his impersonation of Bond; here is a list of some other feature films and TV series that he was a part of:
Ivanhoe (TV Series)
Ivanhoe was a TV series in 1958, loosely based on the novel of the same name. It was this project that marked Moore’s first shot at a television show. He played the role of a saintly medieval noble and battles the wicked Prince John when King Richard fails to return from a crusade. Ivanhoe was not a very successful show and lasted for only 39 episodes, but it definitely set the scene for Moore as people started seeing him as one the leading men in television.
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The Miracle (Feature Film)
Although Moore had appeared in a lot of movies before this 1959 film, it was only in this movie that he established himself as a film’s leading man. Although the movie bombed at the box office, Moore portrayal of his character received a warm response from the critics. This was just the beginning of many good things to come.
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Maverick (TV Series)
Now can we say about this 60s classic TV series that hasn’t already been said? One of the most beloved TV series of all time, Maverick played a huge role in catalyzing Moore’s authority as an actor. His inclusion in the show too was nothing short of a miracle. It was only after the leading man of the show quit it due to some legal issues; Moore made his comeback in the fourth season. What makes this role even more interesting is the fact that it was turned down initially by Sean Connery, who Moore would replace in the following decade as the next James Bond.
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The Saint (TV Series)
Before Roger Moore went on to play the most iconic character of his lifetime, he played a part in this long-running series, which critics believe groomed him to portray 007. This series is probably the reason that people started accepting him as true superstar and a solid actor. The interesting thing about The Saint is the fact that it was a very Bond-esque show and resembled the great 007 in more ways than one. The show’s protagonist, Simon Templar, which was portrayed by Moore, had eerie similarities with James Bond. The Saint began in 1962 and ran for a good 6 seasons before putting up Roger Moore on the map.
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The Persuaders (TV Series)
After having played a role in something as successful as a Maverick, this series that began in 1971 was nothing short of a disappointment. It lasted only one forgettable season. Although the show was welcomed by the people living in the United Kingdom, it failed to find a fan base in the US and other parts of the world. However, the reason that this series is here can be related to the fact that Moore made a massive $1 million for his role, which was a large sum for the 1970s and was a proof that he had cemented his aura as a TV star.
(Image Courtesy: Daily Mail)
Although these portrayals might not be as popular as Moore’s Bond, the truth remains that they shaped him up as an actor and established his name on the world scene. As the longest serving Bond said goodbye to all of us, this is a tribute to the legacy he leaves behind and he shall forever be alive in all the characters he portrayed.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Silver Scenes)
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