He is best known for having played Ian Fleming's fictional British secret agent James Bond in seven feature films from 1973 to 1985.
Moore took over the role of Bond from Sean Connery in 1972, made his first appearance as 007 in Live and Let Die (1973), and went on to portray the spy in six more films until his retirement from the role in 1985.
Lew Grade cast Moore as Simon Templar in a new adaptation of The Saint, based on the novels by Leslie Charteris. The television series was made in the UK and its success there (and in other countries) made Moore a household name.
By early 1967, he had achieved international stardom. The series also established his suave, quipping style which he carried forward to James Bond. Moore went on to direct several episodes of the later series, which moved into colour in 1967.
