By our correspondent
Switzerland:If you watched movies during the 80s and 90s then you know that hi-tech, sophisticated English spy movie actor called Sir Roger Moore, also popularly known as James Bond.
Unfortunately, sad news from his family is that the man has breathed his last today, after celebrating 89 years on earth.
Sir Roger Moore died following “a short but brave battle with cancer. He played the famous spy in seven Bond films including ‘Live and Let Die’ and ‘A View to a Kill’”. James Bond’s family confirmed the news on Twitter.
The statement, from his children, read: “Thank you Pops for being you, and being so very special to so many people.”
“With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated,” they said in a Twitter post.
The actor took the character of James Bond in a more humorous direction than his predecessor Sean Connery. Sir Roger is survived by his three children and wife Kristina Tholstrup. Sir Roger’s Bond was calm and suave – a smooth operator who could seemingly get himself out of a tricky situation with ease.
The veteran star, who died in Switzerland, will have a private funeral in Monaco in accordance with his wishes, his children said. “The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone,” read the statement from Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian. “Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina, his wife at this difficult time.”
The statement added: “We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF which he considered to be his greatest achievement. Along with his famous Bond role, Moore was also known for TV series The Persuaders and The Saint. Sir Roger was also well known for his humanitarian work – he was introduced to Unicef by the late Audrey Hepburn and was appointed as a goodwill ambassador in 1991.
Tributes paid
Russell Crowe led the tributes to the actor on Twitter, writing simply: “Roger Moore, loved him.”
Michael Caine said: “I am truly sad and think I will be in tears if I talk about him. “Roger was the perfect gentlemen, adored by all his friends.”
Michael Ball said: “My dearest uncle Roger has passed on. What a sad, sad day this is.
In a statement, fellow Unicef ambassador and actor Ewan McGregor said: “Thank you, Roger, for having championed so tirelessly the rights of all children for the last 26 years.
“You’ve shown that we all have the power to make a change to the lives of the most vulnerable children.” Frank Gardner, the BBC’s security correspondent, recalled how he and Sir Roger had become good friends in recent years. “He even watched me ski past his chalet in Crans-Montana [Switzerland] while sipping a drink on his balcony,” he said.
Moore’s Bond movies:
Live and Let Die (1973)
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Moonraker (1979)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Octopussy (1983)
A View to a Kill (1985)
