Roger Moore – Biography, Cause of Death, Movies & Net Worth

Sir Roger Moore, the British actor who brought a distinctive charm and wry humour to the role of James Bond across seven films, died on 23 May 2017 at the age of 89. He passed away at his home in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, after what his family described as a short but brave battle with cancer. Multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia and CNN, confirmed the cause as lung and liver cancer, though some speculation has pointed to other forms of the disease.

Moore’s career spanned more than six decades, beginning in the late 1940s as a film extra before he rose to global fame as the iconic secret agent. Beyond his screen work, he devoted much of his later life to humanitarian causes, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1991 until his death. His legacy remains defined by his lighthearted take on 007 and his unwavering commitment to charitable work.

What was Roger Moore’s cause of death?

• Roger Moore portrayed James Bond in seven films between 1973 and 1985 – more than any other actor in the official franchise.
• He was married four times, most notably to Italian actress Luisa Mattioli for 27 years, with whom he had three children.
• Moore died at age 89 after a short battle with cancer, having served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over 25 years.
• Despite initial criticism for his lighter interpretation of Bond, his portrayal is now regarded as iconic and influential.
• He was knighted in 2003 for his charitable services, becoming Sir Roger Moore, KBE.
• His career began in the late 1940s as an extra and included major TV roles in The Saint and The Persuaders!.
• Moore’s net worth at death has been estimated at around $60 million, though the exact figure has not been publicly confirmed.

Most authoritative sources, including Wikipedia, CNN, and IMDb, confirm that Moore died from lung and liver cancer. However, his family’s initial statement only specified “cancer” without further detail. Some sources, including the French Wikipedia and certain news reports, have suggested prostate cancer, leading to ongoing uncertainty. The lung and liver cancer diagnosis was later confirmed by his medical team and family.

How many James Bond movies did Roger Moore star in?

Roger Moore starred in seven official James Bond films for EON Productions, making him the longest-serving actor in the role. His tenure ran from 1973 to 1985, and he brought a noticeably lighter, more humorous tone to the character compared to the grittier portrayals of Sean Connery and others. This shift in style divided audiences at first but has since become a defining element of the franchise’s history.

The seven Bond films in order

1. Live and Let Die (1973)
2. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
3. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
4. Moonraker (1979)
5. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
6. Octopussy (1983)
7. A View to a Kill (1985)

Beyond Bond, Moore’s filmography includes notable roles in The Wild Geese (1978), Sharky’s Machine (1981), and The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970). He also gained early television fame as Simon Templar in The Saint (1962–1969) and starred alongside Tony Curtis in The Persuaders! (1971–1972). His career spanned more than sixty years, beginning in the late 1940s as a film extra. For comparison with another legendary British actor, read the biography of Michael Caine – Biography, Age, Net Worth and Retirement.

Who was Roger Moore’s spouse?

Roger Moore was married four times. His first marriage, to Doorn van Steyn in 1953, was annulled shortly afterward. Later that same year he married Welsh singer Dorothy Squires; that union lasted until 1968. In 1969 he married Italian actress Luisa Mattioli, with whom he had three children: Deborah, Geoffrey, and Christian. They separated in 1996. In 2002 he married Danish-born Kristina “Kiki” Tholstrup, who remained his wife until his death.

Moore’s personal life was marked by both stability and turbulence. His marriage to Dorothy Squires was particularly contentious, and his relationship with Luisa Mattioli spanned more than two decades before ending in divorce. Despite these complexities, Moore remained close to his children and maintained a public image of warmth and professionalism.

What is Roger Moore’s net worth?

Roger Moore’s net worth at the time of his death has been estimated at approximately $60 million, according to sources such as StoryDistrict. However, the exact figure has not been publicly confirmed, and estimates vary across different publications. Some sources place the number closer to $40 million. This uncertainty is common for estates where full financial details are not disclosed.

Moore stood 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, a detail consistently reported across multiple credible sources. Born on 14 October 1927 in Stockwell, London, he lived much of his later life in Switzerland, where he died. His residence in Crans-Montana was his home for many years.

Timeline of key events in Roger Moore’s life

1. 1927 – Born in Stockwell, London, on 14 October.
2. 1945 – Conscripted into the British Army.
3. 1954 – First major television role in The Vise.
4. 1962–1969 – Starred as Simon Templar in The Saint, gaining international fame.
5. 1971–1972 – Co-starred with Tony Curtis in The Persuaders!.
6. 1973 – First James Bond film, Live and Let Die, released.
7. 1985 – Final Bond film, A View to a Kill, released.
8. 1991 – Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, introduced by Audrey Hepburn.
9. 2003 – Knighted for services to charity and international relations.
10. 2017 – Died of cancer at age 89 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Roger Moore?

Why does Roger Moore’s legacy endure?

Roger Moore’s impact on popular culture extends far beyond the James Bond franchise. He redefined the role with a suave, tongue-in-cheek style that many fans now prefer to the more serious interpretations. Unlike Sean Connery’s gritty portrayal, Moore’s Bond was characterised by wit and charm, a approach that proved commercially successful and culturally influential.

His humanitarian work with UNICEF, motivated by witnessing child poverty in India while filming Octopussy, added a deeper dimension to his public persona. He was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991 by Audrey Hepburn and travelled extensively for the organisation until his death. For his charitable services, he was knighted in 2003. His career spanned post-war British cinema, the rise of television, and global fame through a franchise that continues to thrive.

For readers interested in other iconic Hollywood figures, the biography of Clark Gable – Biography, Death, Spouse, and Famous Movies offers a similar exploration of a legendary screen career.

What do the sources say about Roger Moore?

“Sir Roger Moore will perhaps always be remembered as the man who replaced Sean Connery in the James Bond series…”

– IMDb biography

“He considered himself to be only the fourth best actor to have played Ian Fleming’s secret-service agent.”

– The Guardian obituary, 23 May 2017

“Roger lived in during the making of his early James Bond films and The Persuaders.”

– Sir Roger Moore Facebook page

Summary

Sir Roger Moore, born 14 October 1927 in Stockwell, London, died on 23 May 2017 at age 89 from lung and liver cancer. He starred in seven James Bond films between 1973 and 1985, bringing a lighter tone to the role. He was married four times and had three children with Luisa Mattioli. His estimated net worth at death was around $60 million, though this is not publicly confirmed. Beyond acting, he served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1991 until his death and was knighted in 2003. His legacy rests on both his iconic Bond portrayal and his humanitarian commitment.

Frequently asked questions about Roger Moore