Real reason Roger Moore quit 'disgusting' James Bond role

It’s been four years since actor Daniel Craig walked away from the iconic character of James Bond, admitting that after 15 years he felt “empty” and “emotionally exhausted”. Since his exit, rumours have swirled over who will take up the legendary mantle, but no one has been confirmed. After all, it would be a daunting prospect for anyone to consider – Bond’s shiny shoes are a huge legacy to fill.

To date, there have been seven actors to don the impeccable suits, cast in 27 films over a staggering 62 years. With names such as Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, and George Lazenby, it’s no wonder that it might be considered an intimidating prospect.

Actor Roger Moore, who passed away in 2017, aged 87, admitted that he felt there was no “downside” to playing the part. He told the Guardian in 2014: “People often call me 'Mr Bond' when we’re out and I don’t mind a bit. Why would I?” However, even Roger got fed up with playing the lothario with a penchant for innuendos and puns, confessing there was a “disgusting” reason he had to retire.

The star earned himself an army of fans in the role of the dashing British spy, filming an impressive seven films over 12 years and becoming the oldest actor to play the part.

Forever known as the man who replaced Sean Connery in the James Bond series, Roger was 57 when he hung up his golden gun and tuxedo, and he revealed his age did play a part in his decision to end things with the franchise.

Discussing the reasoning, he said: "It wasn't because of the physical stuff as I could still play tennis for two hours a day and do a one-hour workout every morning. Physically I was okay but facially I started looking... well, the leading ladies were young enough to be my grand-daughter and it becomes disgusting."

In a review for his final Bond film, A View to a Kill in 1985, his co-star Tanya Roberts was 30, and critics couldn’t help but zero in on his age. The Washington Post wrote: "Moore isn't just long in the tooth – he's got tusks, and what looks like an eye job has given him the pie-eyed blankness of a zombie. He's not believable anymore in the action sequences, even less so in the romantic scenes".

He touched on the predicament in an interview with The Mirror just before he died in 2016, admitting that he felt he looked too old to be "hanging around women in their early twenties without it appearing creepy".

Roger’s films earned over $1 billion for the Broccoli dynasty, who owned the copyrights to the franchise before it was sold to Amazon and MGM Studios in 2025. He last appeared as the iconic character for London's 2012 Olympics bid, alongside Samantha Bond, who played Miss Moneypenny in Pierce Brosnan’s era.