Bond, James Bond. These iconic words have been spoken by several actors throughout the decades. With Daniel Craig's era as Bond having recently ended with No Time To Die, it's more than fitting to look back at the Bonds who have come and gone before us. For many fans of the franchise, Bond represents many things and, therefore, answers to the question of who is the best Bond vary greatly.

Updated October 15th, 2022: If you love 007, you'll be happy to know we've updated this article with additional content and entries to reflect every James Bond actor.

We've decided to take on the ultimate mission and rank each of the actors who have taken on the mantle of 007. There's bound to be agreement and disagreement here, but for fans of the franchise, this conversation is one that seems ever-evolving, especially with interesting reports on potential future Bond actors developing constantly. Here is every Bond actor in the official franchise, and how they rank.

8 Barry Nelson

Barry Nelson as James Bond in Climax! (1954)
CBS

Let's start off our list with the small screen. There's an old, classic American TV show called Climax!, and in 1954, the episode titled "Casino Royale" featured secret agent James Bond in an adaptation of the Ian Fleming novel — which was later adapted on two different occasions (see below). But before that, there was Barry Nelson playing Jimmy Bond. Nelson certainly looks the part in Climax!, but it wasn't until the big screen that Bond became a more fleshed-out persona thanks to a variety of Hollywood A-listers.

7 David Niven

David Niven in Casino Royale (1967)
Columbia Pictures

After Nelson's turn as Bond, but before Daniel Craig took over in 2006 for one of the best James Bond movies of all time, there was Casino Royale as a parody film, starring David Niven as 007. The story takes place after the death of M, when Sir James Bond is called back out of retirement. To stop the bad guys, Bond's brilliant plan is to name every agent "James Bond" during his mission. The rest of the film is a muddled affair, but Niven is clearly dedicated to the soon-to-be iconic role.

6 Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton James Bond Eon United Artists
United Artists

When it comes to Bond rankings, Timothy Dalton usually appears close to last. To be fair, Dalton's take on 007 has been somewhat unjustly maligned; in fact, his dark and rough-edged take on the character appears to be an early precursor for the Craig era. However, Dalton's approach is devoid of much of the charm and suaveness Bond is known for, and he's notably stiff in certain scenes.

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While Dalton does have the physicality suited for the role, he overall lacks the magnetism and wit that truly makes for a great Bond. However, his two entries The Living Daylights and License To Kill do have their fans and some consider him the most underrated Bond. There is certainly an '80s vibe to Dalton's era, but also a violence and nihilism to his films that was striking for the franchise. It was honestly refreshing after the goofy, grinning Roger Moore years which, while wonderful in their own way, slowly turned into a caricature. While Dalton's run ultimately isn't considered many fan's favorite, for some it does contain its merits.

5 George Lazenby

George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
United Artists

The only actor who's only appeared in one Bond film, Australian model and stunt double George Lazenby had a one-off role in the still-discussed fan-favorite On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Taking over for Sean Connery who, at the time, had declined to return, Lazenby's portrayal of Bond was met with much criticism and pressure. Admittedly, Lazenby was not a professional actor (and there are moments where it shows), but there's something nicely low-key and vulnerable to his performance. Given how On Her Majesty's Secret Service explores a more vulnerable version of Bond, Lazenby's understated approach manages to suit the material for the most part.

While his acting chops don't quite measure up to the levels of Connery or Craig (which is a real shame, because this might be the most emotional James Bond movie of them all, at least up until No Time to Die), Lazenby does handle the required action sequences gracefully. Overall, Lazenby's run as 007 was rather limited and though he's not the best performer to grace the role, his subtle take on the character befits the film he's in. On Her Majesty's Secret Service still remains a fan favorite for many, and some have even considered it to be the best of the franchise.

4 Roger Moore

Roger Moore as James Bond
MGM

For Bond fans in the mid-'70s to mid-'80s, Roger Moore was the quintessential Bond, and has starred in the most films for any actor in the franchise. Moore's run began in the 1973 with Live and Let Die and ended in 1985 with A View To a Kill, and his run was notable for its campy sense of humor, outlandish villains, and witty one-liners. The quality of Moore's time was a bit uneven and his tenure in the franchise went on for arguably two movies too long.

However, his period also lays claim to some of the best James Bond films, such as The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only. Moore also exudes a true charisma and smoothness to the role, and even in his worst films he seems to fully commit and go along for the ride. While Moore's run does have these duds to its name (A View To a Kill and Octopussy haven't aged too well), at its best it contains some of the most vibrant and exciting adventures in the franchise. Also, nobody can do cheesy Bond one-liners better, and that's a true achievement right there.

3 Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan James Bond GoldenEye 1995 Eon
MGM / UA

For a long period of time between the late '80s and early '90s, the Bond franchise had taken a bit of a hiatus. When it returned in 1995 with GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan had taken over the helm of 007 and ushered in a new era for the character. Brosnan's take on the character combined all the elements fans loved, from Connery's intensity and Dalton's incredible looks to Moore's cheeky humor, but also added an element that was truly his own and modern.

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Pierce Brosnan's performances also saw him showcase his dramatic range, especially in films such as GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough, where his Bond reveals some unexpected depth. While some question the overall quality of the films he was in, many fans and critics assess that Brosnan represented the character effectively with a smooth and edgy style all his own, and helped kickstart Bond again and usher the franchise into film's modern era.

All in all, while not every entry in Brosnan's run was made equally (here's looking at you, Die Another Day), his take on the character remains definitive, and for many still remains an iconic gateway to the character. To date, the actor looks back fondly on his tenure.

2 Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig as James Bond with Aston Martin DB5
Sony Pictures

While many may debate this, when it comes to the top title for Bond, Daniel Craig has taken over the slot for quite a few. Craig's take on the character (which originated in 2006's Casino Royale) is the most deeply human and tragic yet, and his brooding nature was a change of pace for the franchise. Despite initial reluctance from critics and fans, Craig was soon embraced as he grew into 007's deadpan charm, suave nature, and lethal intensity.

Craig more than showcased his dramatic chops as the character in fan-favorites Skyfall and No Time to Die, and has also shown to be the most adept at the action-oriented nature of the character, as well. Most importantly, Daniel Craig's Bond feels the most layered and three-dimensional, and for this reason his take on the character feels especially resonant. While his run as Bond just recently came to a close, It's safe to say that Craig's mark on the character will be irrevocable, remembered fondly, and considered a genuine achievement for the franchise. However, despite the innovation and evolution that Craig brought to the role, James Bond will always be synonymous with one other actor.

1 Sean Connery

Connery Bond From Russia With Love 1963
United Artists

There's almost nothing else that can be said about Sean Connery's legendary run as 007. Connery originated the character's mainstream franchise in the '60s, and his run features many of its most iconic moments. Connery also helped establish the blueprint for the character with his suave manner, gravitas, and wry humor. Whether it was bickering with M, seducing the Bond Girl, or engaging in a death-defying stunt, Connery made every aspect of being Bond look effortless.

His run contains some of the franchise's most influential films to date such as Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, and Thunderball, and has informed much of pop culture. Connery's impact on the role looms large even today and his legacy has informed each aspect of the franchise since, often being voted the best Bond of them all. Even if Connery may be dated, so is James Bond himself, a spy character rooted in the Cold War whose womanizing, violent ways may have gone out of fashion in most of pop culture. Even if he is dated, Connery is definitive.