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Sean Connery To Be Named As The Most Iconic 007 Of All Time

New research has revealed the most iconic James Bond actors of all time, with Sean Connery being crowned as the ultimate 007.

The team at Ice36 have put together an overall score to rank the best Bonds, consisting of Google search data, how many awards each actor achieved while playing Bond as well as the number of movies they starred in.

The most iconic James Bonds:

Rank	Name	Number of Google searches	Awards for Bond Movies	Number of Bond Movies	Overall Score /10
1	Sean Connery	481,800	2	7	8.3
2	Daniel Craig	379,900	7	5	7.8
3	Pierce Brosnan	415,500	3	4	7.2
4	Roger Moore	202,300	0	7	4.4
5	Timothy Dalton	115,400	0	2	1.7
6	George Lazenby	140,900	0	1	1.1
7	David Niven	66,500	0	1	0.0

Sean Connery is crowned as the most iconic James Bond, landing in first place. He starred as James Bond in several films, including "Dr. No" (1962), "From Russia with Love" (1963), "Goldfinger" (1964), "Thunderball" (1965), "You Only Live Twice" (1967), "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971), and "Never Say Never Again" (1983).

What made Connery so iconic in the role was his charismatic and debonair interpretation of Bond. He brought a unique blend of sophistication, wit, and physicality to the character, making him the definitive James Bond in the eyes of many. Connery's portrayal set the standard for the suave secret agent, and his legacy in the world of cinema endures as an integral part of the Bond franchise's history.

Daniel Craig finishes up in the runner-up position. Craig's tenure as James Bond redefined the character and cemented his status as one of the most iconic actors to portray the British secret agent. He starred in the following James Bond films: "Casino Royale" (2006), "Quantum of Solace" (2008), "Skyfall" (2012), "Spectre" (2015) and "No Time to Die" (2021).

His portrayal of Bond was marked by a more rugged and emotionally complex interpretation, which brought a fresh and modern edge to the character. His physicality, intense performances, and ability to convey Bond's vulnerabilities made him stand out, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. His time as James Bond is celebrated for revitalising the character and expanding its appeal to a new generation of moviegoers.

Pierce Brosnan rounds out the top three, ranking in third place. Pierce Brosnan's time as James Bond was marked by his suave and charismatic portrayal of the iconic British spy. He starred in four James Bond films during his tenure "GoldenEye" (1995), "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997), "The World Is Not Enough" (1999) and "Die Another Day" (2002).

Brosnan's Bond was known for his charm and modern sensibility. He brought the character into the 21st century with a perfect blend of sophistication and action-hero prowess. He received acclaim for re-energising the franchise during his time as 007. His portrayal made him a beloved and iconic figure in the James Bond legacy, and his films were commercially successful, helping keep the franchise vibrant for a new generation of fans.

The research also revealed that:
Roger Moore and Sean Connery are the most frequent Bonds, appearing in seven movies each.
Daniel Craig’s era as Bond is the most commercially successful, with Skyfall, No Time To Die and Spectre being named as the biggest box office successes.
Goldfinger, From Russia With Love and Skyfall are named as the highest-rated Bond movies of all time.

Research supplied by Ice36