Roger Moore born as Roger George Moore on October 14th, 1927 in Stockwell, London is one of the finest English actors best known for his 'Simon Templar' and 'James Bond' characters. Roger Moore is said to have given a new image to James Bond as that of a lighthearted playboy, who is full of humor unlike his predecessor Sean Connery who gave a serious image to James Bond earlier.
Roger Moore was born to homemaker Lillian 'Lily' nee Pope and policeman George Moore. Roger Moore studied for a while at Battersea Grammar School and later was shifted to Holsworthy, Devon due to World War II where he continued his studies at Dr Challoner's Grammar School. Roger Moore later attended the College of St Hild and St Bede at the University of Durham. He has also studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art [RADA]; his fee being paid by film director Brian Desmond Hurst in whose film "Trottie True" {1949}, Roger Moore had a minor role.
Soon after the World War II ended, Roger Moore joined the National Service and was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Army Service Corps, commanding a small depot in West Germany. He eventually became a Captain. Before plunging into movies, Roger Moore modeled for knitwear, toothpaste and several other products.
Roger Moore began his movie career in 1945 with a minor role of a soldier in "Perfect Strangers". He has since appeared in a number of movies and television dramas. He had recurring roles in several television plays such as "Ivanhoe" {39 episodes: 1958-1959}, "The Alaskans" {37 episodes: 1959-1960}, "The Saint" {118 episodes: 1962-1969}, "The Persuaders!" {24 episodes: 1971-1972}. His role of Simon Templar in "The Saint" got him much recognition, while his James Bond character catapulted him to the dizzying heights of super stardom worldwide. Soon after "The Saint" ended, "The Persuaders!" followed for which he was paid a whopping one million pounds for a single series making him the highest paid television actor in the world at that time.
