130 Fun Facts About James Bond

Who was the first actor to portray James Bond in the Eon Productions film series?

Sean Connery originated the role of James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, beginning with Dr. No in 1962, setting the standard for the iconic character.

Which author created the character of James Bond?

Ian Fleming, a former naval intelligence officer, created James Bond, first introducing the character in his 1953 novel 'Casino Royale'.

What is James Bond's signature code number?

James Bond is famously known by his code number, 007, which signifies his 'licence to kill' status within MI6.

Which film marked Daniel Craig's final appearance as James Bond?

Daniel Craig concluded his tenure as James Bond with 'No Time to Die' in 2021, his fifth and final film in the series.

Which actress portrayed M in several James Bond films, including 'Skyfall'?

Judi Dench played M, the head of MI6, in seven James Bond films, starting with 'GoldenEye' and notably appearing in 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre'.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld's crime syndicate takes its name from Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion: what is it called?

SPECTRE stands for Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion, and Blofeld's syndicate appears in Fleming's novels as well as the films and games.

Which film marked Pierce Brosnan's debut as James Bond?

GoldenEye brought Bond back in 1995 after a six-year hiatus, and Brosnan's debut was both a critical and a commercial success.

Which singer is the only artist to officially perform more than one James Bond theme?

She recorded three Bond themes, in 1964, 1971 and 1979, and the first of them gave her her only Billboard Hot 100 top-40 hit.

In 'The Man with the Golden Gun', what type of unique weapon does the villain Francisco Scaramanga use?

Francisco Scaramanga, the titular villain in 'The Man with the Golden Gun', is known for his custom-made golden pistol that fires golden bullets.

Which director helmed both the James Bond films 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre'?

Sam Mendes directed two highly acclaimed James Bond films starring Daniel Craig: 'Skyfall' (2012) and 'Spectre' (2015).

In which year did 'Dr. No' launch Eon Productions' James Bond series?

United Artists released it on 5 October 1962, and its financial success launched the Eon series.

In Moonraker, which billionaire industrialist, whose company builds space shuttles for NASA, plans to wipe out humanity and repopulate Earth from orbit?

Hugo Drax owns Drax Industries, the firm building NASA's shuttles, and means to gas humanity from his space station before repopulating Earth with his chosen few.

Which Bond film, set in Japan, ends with a battle inside the volcano base where Blofeld hides a spaceship-snatching rocket?

You Only Live Twice ends in Blofeld's volcano base, a Ken Adam set where SPECTRE is hired by a great power to start a Soviet-American war.

Which actor played James Bond only once in the Eon Productions series?

George Lazenby, picked after Connery quit following You Only Live Twice, made On Her Majesty's Secret Service his only Bond film.

What is the name of the CIA agent who is often an ally to James Bond?

Felix Leiter is a recurring character in the James Bond series, often appearing as Bond's reliable contact and ally from the CIA.

The theme song for 'Skyfall' won an Academy Award. Who performed it?

Adele's powerful rendition of the 'Skyfall' theme song earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2013.

Which actress played Tracy di Vicenzo, the countess Bond marries in the 1969 film?

Brigitte Bardot was approached first, but she signed on to the western Shalako instead and Rigg, fresh from playing Emma Peel in The Avengers, took the part.

Which villain runs the heroin operation in the 1973 Bond film set in Harlem and on the island of San Monique?

Dr. Kananga doubles as the Harlem drug lord Mr. Big, whose plan is to give away two tons of heroin for free to bankrupt his rivals and corner the market.

What is the nationality of the actor Pierce Brosnan, who played James Bond?

Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed James Bond in four films, was born in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland.

Which James Bond film features an invisible car gadget?

Die Another Day, the twentieth Eon Bond film, gave 007 an invisible Aston Martin V12 Vanquish for Brosnan's 2002 farewell.

What is the name of the MI6 Quartermaster who provides James Bond with his gadgets?

Q, the head of MI6's Q Branch (Quartermaster), is responsible for supplying James Bond with his iconic and often life-saving gadgets.

The phrase 'shaken, not stirred' is famously associated with James Bond's preference for what beverage?

James Bond's specific instruction for his vodka martini, 'shaken, not stirred', has become one of his most iconic catchphrases.

Which actress played Pussy Galore, leader of the all-female Flying Circus pilots?

Blackman was cast because her martial-arts training as Cathy Gale in The Avengers made her convincing throwing Bond in a judo bout.

Which actor is known for playing the henchman Jaws in 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'Moonraker'?

Richard Kiel famously portrayed the steel-toothed henchman Jaws in two James Bond films, becoming one of the series' most recognizable villains.

Which reclusive shipping tycoon plans a nuclear war and a new civilisation under the sea?

Stromberg intends to ride out the war in Atlantis, his underwater base, while his henchman Jaws hunts Bond and Soviet agent Anya Amasova.

After Bernard Lee died in 1981, which actor took over as M starting with 'Octopussy'?

Brown stayed in the job through Licence to Kill; that same year, 1983, Edward Fox played a very different M in the non-Eon Never Say Never Again.

In 'Casino Royale' (2006), what game does James Bond play against Le Chiffre?

In Daniel Craig's debut as Bond, 'Casino Royale' features a high-stakes poker game, specifically Texas Hold'em, between Bond and the villain Le Chiffre.

Which city hosts the Day of the Dead opening sequence of 'Spectre' (2015)?

The spectacular opening sequence of 'Spectre' takes place amidst the vibrant Day of the Dead festivities in Mexico City.

Which pop artist performed the theme song for 'No Time to Die'?

Billie Eilish co-wrote and performed the haunting theme song for 'No Time to Die', becoming one of the youngest artists to record a Bond theme.

What is the name of Ian Fleming's Jamaican estate, which inspired a Bond film title?

Ian Fleming wrote all of his James Bond novels at his Jamaican estate named GoldenEye, which also became the title of a 1995 film.

Before Daniel Craig, which actor played James Bond with a gritty tone in the late 1980s?

Timothy Dalton brought a darker and more realistic portrayal of James Bond in 'The Living Daylights' and 'Licence to Kill' in the late 1980s.

Who composed the iconic 'James Bond Theme' that has opened most of the films?

The distinctive 'James Bond Theme', an integral part of the franchise's identity, was composed by Monty Norman.

Which James Bond film features an Aston Martin DB5 equipped with an ejector seat?

The Aston Martin DB5, complete with an ejector seat and other gadgets, made its memorable debut in 'Goldfinger', becoming an iconic Bond car.

In which city does 'Casino Royale' (2006) open, with Bond earning his 00 status?

Filming also started there, on 27 January 2006, before the production moved on to Pinewood and its 007 Stage.

What is the name of M's secretary, a recurring character in the James Bond series?

Miss Moneypenny is M's loyal and often flirtatious secretary, a staple character throughout the James Bond films and novels.

Which James Bond film features an underwater car, the 'Wet Nellie'?

The Lotus Esprit, famously dubbed 'Wet Nellie', transforms into a submarine in 'The Spy Who Loved Me', allowing Bond to evade his pursuers underwater.

Who plays Alec Trevelyan, 006, Bond's ally turned enemy in 'GoldenEye'?

Sean Bean portrays Alec Trevelyan, Bond's former MI6 colleague and the primary antagonist in 'GoldenEye'.

Which actor plays Gareth Mallory, who takes over as M at the end of 'Skyfall'?

Mallory had chaired the Intelligence and Security Committee before heading MI6 and is a former lieutenant colonel in the British Army.

In the 1967 film where Bond trains with ninjas, which country is he sent to?

Bond is dispatched there after American and Soviet spacecraft vanish, and the villain's lair was filmed at the Shinmoedake volcano on Kyushu.

What is the title of the James Bond theme song performed by Paul McCartney and Wings?

Paul McCartney and Wings famously performed the dynamic theme song for the 1973 film 'Live and Let Die'.

Which Bond actor starred in the television series 'The Saint' before taking on the 007 role?

Roger Moore gained considerable fame playing Simon Templar in the popular TV series 'The Saint' before becoming James Bond.

In Thunderball, SPECTRE's eyepatch-wearing Emilio Largo hijacks an RAF Vulcan bomber during a training exercise to steal what?

Two NATO atomic bombs are the haul, and Largo's price for not destroying a city, later revealed to be Miami, is £100 million in diamonds.

Which James Bond film features a famous laser cutting scene?

Goldfinger's laser table produced the series' most famous exchange: 'Do you expect me to talk?' 'No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die.'

Which James Bond film sees Bond marry for the first time in the Eon series?

In 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', James Bond marries Teresa di Vicenzo, also known as Tracy Bond.

What is the title of the first James Bond novel written by Ian Fleming?

Ian Fleming introduced James Bond to the world in his first novel, 'Casino Royale', published in 1953.

Which Dracula actor played Francisco Scaramanga in 'The Man with the Golden Gun'?

Lee, Hammer's Count Dracula, was a step-cousin of Bond's creator, who had wanted him for the title villain of the very first Eon film years earlier.

In the 2022 New Year Honours, Daniel Craig received which honour, the same one Ian Fleming gave the fictional Bond?

CMG is what Fleming gave Bond in the novels, so Craig's appointment as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for services to film and theatre, matched his character's own.

What is the codename of James Bond's superior in MI6?

M is the codename for the head of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), James Bond's commanding officer.

The chess match that opens 'From Russia With Love' re-creates a real 1960 game played in which opening?

Kronsteen's win re-enacts Boris Spassky's victory over David Bronstein at the 1960 USSR championship, rook sacrifice included.

Which James Bond film features an opening sequence set during the carnival in Rio de Janeiro?

'Moonraker' includes an exciting pre-title sequence and other scenes set against the vibrant backdrop of the Rio Carnival.

From whom did Ian Fleming borrow the name James Bond?

An American ornithologist named James Bond wrote Birds of the West Indies, the definitive field guide to Caribbean birds, and Fleming simply took his name.

Which children's story did Ian Fleming write in 1964?

He also wrote two works of non-fiction.

Which two intelligence units did Fleming help oversee during the Second World War?

He also helped plan Operation Goldeneye, later the name of his Jamaican estate.

How old was Ian Fleming when he wrote his first Bond novel in 1952?

Casino Royale needed three print runs to meet demand.

Roughly how many copies have the Bond books sold worldwide?

They rank among the best-selling fiction series ever.

Which author wrote the 2023 Bond novel On His Majesty's Secret Service?

Higson also wrote the Young Bond series.

How much did CBS pay Fleming in 1954 to adapt Casino Royale for its Climax! series?

Barry Nelson played an American 'Jimmy Bond' in the one-hour show.

Roughly how much have the Bond films grossed at the box office in total?

That makes it the fifth-highest-grossing film series.

Bond's father Andrew Bond came from which Scottish village, according to Fleming?

Connery's casting influenced Fleming to give Bond Scottish ancestry.

Why was the literary Bond expelled from Eton?

He was then sent to Fettes College, his father's school.

Which musician did Fleming say Bond resembled facially?

Vesper Lynd makes the comparison in Casino Royale.

Roughly how many custom-made cigarettes a day does the literary Bond smoke?

He was a composite of commandos Fleming knew during the war.

Which two producers made Dr. No for Eon Productions?

Their partnership lasted until 1975.

Who created the gun-barrel opening and title sequences for Dr. No?

Ken Adam established the films' visual style as production designer.

Which country hosted location filming for From Russia with Love?

Bond assists a Soviet clerk's defection in Istanbul.

Which director helmed four Bond films, starting with Goldfinger?

John Glen later directed five in a row in the 1980s.

Which Corgi toy became the biggest-selling toy of 1964?

Goldfinger was also the first Bond film to win an Oscar, for sound editing.

Which actress appeared painted gold on the cover of Life to promote Goldfinger?

The film recouped its budget in two weeks.

Thunderball was the first Bond film with what technical distinction?

It was also the first to run over two hours.

Which children's author wrote the screenplay for You Only Live Twice?

It was the first Bond film to discard most of Fleming's plot.

Which actor's face was the first to be shown as Blofeld, in You Only Live Twice?

Czech actor Jan Werich was replaced after five days for not being menacing enough.

Which actor played Blofeld in On Her Majesty's Secret Service?

His plot involved brainwashed 'angels of death' rendering crops infertile.

George Lazenby was cast as Bond after Broccoli saw him in a commercial for what?

The Australian model had no prior film acting experience.

What record salary did United Artists pay Connery to return for Diamonds Are Forever?

The producers had tested other actors after Lazenby left.

Blofeld's plot in Diamonds Are Forever uses the gems to build what?

Bond infiltrates the smuggling ring by impersonating a smuggler.

Which actress played Rosie Carver, the first African American Bond girl romantically involved with 007?

Live and Let Die drew on blaxploitation-era archetypes.

Which producer sold his stake in the Bond franchise after The Man with the Golden Gun?

It was the last film co-produced by Broccoli and Saltzman.

Which Soviet agent teams up with Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me?

Barbara Bach played her opposite Curt Jurgens's Stromberg.

Which composer scored The Spy Who Loved Me?

Carly Simon sang 'Nobody Does It Better'.

Which film's success prompted the producers to make Moonraker instead of For Your Eyes Only?

NASA's Space Shuttle test flights also influenced the choice.

Moonraker was primarily shot in which country because of budget problems?

Pinewood was used only by the special effects team.

Which singer performed the title theme for For Your Eyes Only?

She was the first theme singer to appear on screen in the title sequence.

Which exiled Afghan prince does Louis Jourdan play in Octopussy?

Maud Adams played the title character.

Which region does Christopher Walken's Max Zorin plan to destroy in Moore's last Bond film?

Christopher Walken played Zorin in Moore's final Bond outing.

Which is the only Bond theme to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100?

Duran Duran's song earned a Golden Globe nomination.

Which actress replaced Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny in The Living Daylights?

Maxwell's last appearance was A View to a Kill.

Which Bond film was the first to not use the title of an Ian Fleming story?

It was originally titled Licence Revoked.

Why was the 1989 Bond film retitled from Licence Revoked before release?

It was also the first Bond film shot entirely outside the UK.

GoldenEye was the inaugural production shot at which studio?

It was also the first Bond film to use CGI.

How many years elapsed between Dalton's last film and GoldenEye due to legal disputes?

Timothy Dalton's contract expired during the hiatus.

Which actor played media tycoon Elliot Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies?

The film opened the same day as Titanic and finished second.

Which blockbuster kept Tomorrow Never Dies from opening at number one?

It was the only Brosnan Bond film not to open at No. 1.

'The World Is Not Enough' is the translation of what?

The coat of arms first appeared in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Which agency employs Halle Berry's character Jinx in Die Another Day?

The film marked the franchise's 40th anniversary.

Which director was first announced for Quantum of Solace before leaving over script delays?

Marc Forster ultimately directed.

Dominic Greene's plot in Quantum of Solace targets which country's freshwater supply?

Olga Kurylenko's Camille Montes helps Bond stop him.

Which actor plays villain Raoul Silva in Skyfall?

The film grossed over $1.1 billion.

Which director declined Spectre before Sam Mendes agreed to return?

Mendes became the first to direct successive Bond films since John Glen.

Which long legal controversy ended with SPECTRE's return in the 2015 film?

Kevin McClory had held rights since the 1960s.

Which director originally attached to No Time to Die left over creative differences?

Cary Joji Fukunaga replaced him a month later.

Which writer joined the No Time to Die screenplay team alongside Purvis, Wade and Fukunaga?

Hans Zimmer composed the score.

Which actress plays new 00 agent Nomi in No Time to Die?

Rami Malek played bioterrorist Lyutsifer Safin.

The 1983 non-Eon Bond film's title refers to what?

Connery was 52 during filming, younger than Roger Moore.

Who directed the 1983 non-Eon Bond remake of Thunderball?

Kershner had directed The Empire Strikes Back.

Which actor played 'Sir James Bond' in the 1967 spoof Casino Royale?

Six other agents impersonate Bond in the plot.

Sean Connery won his Academy Award for which 1987 film?

The Untouchables made Connery the first Scottish actor to win a major Oscar, Best Supporting Actor, as the street-wise cop Jim Malone.

What was Sean Connery's first job in Edinburgh?

He was born at the Royal Maternity Hospital in 1930.

Which Western role did Roger Moore take over from James Garner in 1960?

He later starred with Tony Curtis in The Persuaders!

Roger Moore was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for which organization in 1991?

He was knighted in 2003 for services to charity.

Which 1996 drama serial gave Daniel Craig his breakthrough role?

He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Which DC hero did Pierce Brosnan play in Black Adam (2022)?

He also starred in both Mamma Mia! films.

Which Time Lord did Timothy Dalton play in Doctor Who?

He also played Mr. Rochester in a 1983 Jane Eyre.

Which three Eon films do not feature Q?

Q appears in 22 of the 25 Eon films.

Which MI6 chief's habit of signing with a green-ink 'C' inspired the letter codenames?

Q stands for quartermaster.

What first name was Moneypenny given in Skyfall?

The Moneypenny Diaries had called her Jane.

Moneypenny was originally named what in Fleming's first draft of Casino Royale?

The name came from Kathleen Pettigrew, assistant to MI6's director.

Which special effects expert modified the DB5 for Goldfinger?

The car had a revolving number plate showing BMT 216A.

For how much did RM Auctions sell the original Bond DB5 in 2010?

Harry Yeaggy was the buyer.

Which two Bond themes are the only ones to reach number one on the UK singles chart?

Both also won Oscars, along with Adele's Skyfall.

Which singer performed the theme to Dalton's second Bond film in 1989?

Tina Turner sang GoldenEye six years later.

How many Bond soundtracks did John Barry compose?

He also arranged the James Bond Theme for Dr. No.

Which two films earned John Barry both an Oscar and a Grammy for their scores?

He won five Oscars in all.

Fleming's Goldeneye estate sits on which Jamaican bay?

He bought 15 acres there in 1946.

Which holding company licenses Eon the rights to make Bond films?

Its name blends the surnames of the founders' wives, Dana and Jacqueline.

Which two actresses appeared on screen before Ursula Andress in Dr. No?

Andress's Honey Ryder is still regarded as the first Bond girl.

Under what pseudonym did Kingsley Amis write the 1968 continuation novel Colonel Sun?

Amis had already published a literary study, The James Bond Dossier, in 1965; the novels then lay dormant until John Gardner's Licence Renewed in 1981.

Which future Blockbusters host voiced Bond in a 1958 South African radio adaptation of Moonraker?

The Independent wrote that listeners 'thrilled to Bob's cultured tones' as he defeated master criminals.

How much did Amazon pay for MGM, and with it the Bond film library, in March 2022?

By February 2025 Amazon MGM had paid a further $1 billion for creative control from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

Which company published the first Bond video game, James Bond 007, in 1983?

It appeared on the Atari 2600 and 5200, Commodore 64 and ColecoVision; Rare's GoldenEye 007 later sold more than eight million copies.

Which pistol did the literary Bond carry in the first five novels, until a gun expert called it 'a lady's gun'?

The Beretta 418 was dropped after enthusiast Geoffrey Boothroyd wrote in calling it 'a lady's gun'; a grateful Fleming named MI6's armourer Major Boothroyd after him.