Legendary Bond Star Dies
Sir Roger Moore passed away yesterday in Switzerland at 89 years old, after a short bout with cancer. His children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian confirmed his passing by posting a letter on Twitter: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today.’
Moore was the longest serving actor to play the iconic secret agent James Bond, starring in seven films in the series.
The 007 actor was a man of many talents and much compassion. Despite his overwhelming success on tv and the silver screen, Moore always considered his passionate work for UNICEF as his greatest achievement. He started working for the organisation as a goodwill ambassador in 1991 after being introduced by actress, Audrey Hepburn.
In 1996, he attended the World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children with UNICEF and made the courageous decision to disclose that he had been molested as a child. Following the revelation, he began to use his fame to encourage young victims to not feel ashamed or guilty, especially about speaking up.
This and other work earned Moore the 2007 Dag Hammarskjold Inspiration Award, an award he described as worth ‘more than an Oscar’. That same year he published his autobiography, My Word Is My Bond, which recounted details of his work on the Bond films, his friendship with Hepburn, and his bout with prostate cancer, which he beat.
After three failed marriages with Doorn Van Steyn in 1953, Dorothy Squires in 1969, and Luisa Mattioli, the mother of his children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian, in 2000, Moore married a fourth time, in 2002, to Swedish socialite, Kristina Tholstrup.
Tributes have poured in from celebrities, fans, film critics, humanitarians and countless others.
Actress, Mia Farrow, tweeted: ‘Few are as kind & giving as was Roger Moore. Loving thoughts w his family & friends. He will be missed too by UNICEF.’
RIP Sir Roger, your memory lives on.
Image: Untitled photograph of Roger Moore as James Bond [online image] (1973) sourced on 23 May 2017 from http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-10-28/james-bond-actor-roger-moore-insists-there-can-never-be-a-female-007
