James Bond Actor Roger Moore Dead at 89

Actor Roger Moore, most famous for his starring role as James Bond in seven 007 flicks, has died at age 89. "With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today," said his family in a statement. It added that he died in Switzerland after a short battle with cancer, though no other details were provided. Among the Bond films in which he starred were Live and Let Die and the Spy Who Loved Me, notes the BBC. Moore starred as Bond longer than any actor so far, a 12-year stretch from 1973 to 1985. The Guardian remembers him as "the epitome of the suave English gent, quipping sweatlessly in a bespoke three-piece suit." (See some of those quips in this video.)

Moore, however, had a long career beyond Bond, including roles in the hit TV shows The Saint and The Persuaders. He also was known for his humanitarian work, becoming a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 1991. Moore received a knighthood for his charity work in 2003, thus becoming Sir Roger Moore. The Hollywood Reporter says Moore's Bond was "more of a charmer than a fighter," especially in contrast to the original Sean Connery take. And it seems Moore agreed with that: “My personality is entirely different than previous Bonds," he once said. "I’m not that cold-blooded killer type. Which is why I play it mostly for laughs." (More Roger Moore stories.)