The Many Faces of Bond, James Bond

October 31, the 22nd movie about James Bond 'Quantum of Solace' opens in theaters around the globe. Daniel Craig is once again sharp dressed as the famous British spy with the codename Agent 007.

EON Productions, the production company behind most of the Bond movies, counts six actors since 'Dr. No' from 1962 in the role of James Bond beginning with Sean Connery, but the real number of actors playing the agent in movie adaptations is a little higher.

Barry Nelson was the first to play Bond, though the character's name was a little different, Jimmy Bond. In 1954, he starred in a one-hour episode of the 'Climax!' series on CBS. The episode was also the first adaptation of 'Casino Royal'. This was the only time, Barry Nelson, played the British agent.

In 1962, EON Productions released 'Dr. No' starring Sean Connery. Connery is often credited as the original James Bond and perhaps it's true. He was at least the first Bond in a feature film. Connery returned as the agent six times including the non-EON film 'Never Say Never Again'.

David Niven played Bond in the second adaptation of 'Casino Royal'. Once again it wasn't an EON film, though it is a feature. Unlike the rest, this film presented a more caricatured version of the agent. This film also features other famous actors like Orson Welles as Le Chiffre, Peter Sellers and Woody Allen.

Along came George Lazenby in 1969, the only EON actor to play James Bond only once. Lazenby starred in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. He was to play the agent in seven films, but he ultimately refused the contract. Two years after, Sean Connery returned as Bond in 'Diamonds are Forever'.

Roger Moore took over the role in 'Live and Let Die' from 1973. He starred in seven films. Sean Connery also starred in seven Bond movies, but only six of them were EON films. Counted in years, Moore was also the agent for the longest period of time ending with 'A View to a Kill' from 1985.

Timothy Dalton succeeded Roger Moore in 1987. He only played James Bond in two films 'The Living Daylights' and 'License to Kill' from 1989. 'License to Kill' is the Bond movie to do worst in the Box Office including the two non-EON features 'Casino Royal' and 'Never Say Never Again'.

After the two lean Timothy Dalton films, Pierce Brosnan gave James Bond a comeback with 'GoldenEye' from 1995. In 2002, Brosnan played Bond for the last time. He looked aged, and it was obvious he had to leave the role to a younger actor. Brosnan is often mentioned as the second best Bond after Sean Connery.

Daniel Craig debuted in the third adaptation of 'Casino Royal' from 2006. Craig was the first Bond actor with blond hair. Also, he's the first Bond on the EON payroll not to introduce himself as 'Bond, James Bond'. Not to mention the first not to order his Martini 'shaken, not stirred'.

The list also includes a number of actors in radio plays and cartoons, but these are the eight to play the British spy. My two favorites are Connery and Brosnan. Which one is your favorite?