Actor, born in Navan, Co Meath, E Ireland. After an unsettled childhood, he moved to London, where he joined an experimental theatre group and studied at the Drama Centre. After several stage roles in London, he moved to Los Angeles, where he was offered the lead in the detective series Remington Steele (19827). Although early singled out as a possible James Bond, it was not until 1995 that he finally played the role, in Goldeneye, followed by Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). Other films include The Long Good Friday (1980), Mrs Doubtfire (1993), The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), and The Matador (2005).
| Pierce Brosnan | |
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Pierce Brosnan at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival (photo by Rita Molnár) |
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| Birth name | Pierce Brendan Brosnan |
| Born |
May 16, 1953 Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6'1" |
| Official site | http://www.piercebrosnan.com/ |
| Notable roles |
Remington Steele James Bond |
| Spouse(s) |
Cassandra Harris (1980-1991) Keely Shaye Smith (2001 - present) |
Pierce Brendan Brosnan (Honorary) OBE (born May 16, 1953) is an Irish actor and producer, who currently has United States citizenship.
Biography
Early life
Born an only child in Ireland in Drogheda, County Louth, Brosnan lived in nearby Navan, County Meath. In 1986 Brosnan was actually offered the job as James Bond before the Remington Steele series could be completed, but he was unable to break the contract with the producers.
James Bond
Brosnan had been recognized as a potential for the portrayal of James Bond as early as 1981, on the set of For Your Eyes Only, where director John Glen spotted the actor with his wife Cassandra Harris (who was appearing in the film), and believed he would be highly suited to the role. Brosnan, whose television series Remington Steele had just ended, was offered the role, but publicity revived Remington Steele and forced Brosnan to back out of the role of James Bond, due to his contract with the show.
Brosnan's appointment as Bond brought things full circle for the actor, who stated in interviews that the very first movie he ever saw was Goldfinger and that Sean Connery's performance as Bond had inspired him to enter show business.
Aware of the danger of being typecast as James Bond, Brosnan asked EON Productions, when accepting the role, to be allowed to work in other projects between Bond films. The request was granted, and for every Bond film, Brosnan appeared in at least two mainstream films, including several he had produced. Brosnan played a wide range of roles in-between his Bond film appearances, ranging from a nerdy scientist in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! to the title role in Grey Owl, a biopic about the eponymous Canadian conservationist.
Brosnan was signed for a four-film deal, and first appeared as agent 007 in 1995's GoldenEye, to much critical praise. GoldenEye more than doubled the gross of Dalton's previous film in worldwide ticket box office sales, and Brosnan returned in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies and 1999's The World Is Not Enough, to virtually the same success. In 2002, Brosnan appeared for his fourth and final time as the super suave secret agent in Die Another Day, which - while fans were divided about whether it was great and a huge step forward for the franchise, or one of the weakest entries in the series - shattered all previous Bond films in terms of worldwide box office gross, and is currently the highest-grossing Bond film of all time (although not with inflation counted.)
In early 2004, Brosnan starred in the James Bond video game Everything or Nothing, allowing his likeness to be used as well as doing the voice-work for the character;
Shortly after, the media began questioning whether or not Brosnan would reprise the role for a fifth and final time, (in Casino Royale).
Throughout 2004, Brosnan was rumoured numerous times to have been 'fired' from the role to make way for a new and younger actor. Although Brosnan had been rumoured frequently as still being in the running to play 007, he had denied it several times, and in February 2005 he posted on his website that he was finished with the role.
After the announcement of Craig as the next 007, Brosnan's Bond wax figures at all Madame Tussauds venues - including London, New York City, and Las Vegas - were removed. While it may be incorrect to suggest that Brosnan was fired from the role, as technically the producers simply chose not to renew his contract, they had agreed in principle to collaborate on a fifth Bond film before the producers pulled from negotiations.
Personal life
When Brosnan was in high school, his nickname was 'Irish'.
Brosnan married the Australian actress Cassandra Harris in 1980 and adopted her two children, Christopher (b.
In July 2003, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Brosnan an honorary OBE for his 'outstanding contribution to the British film industry'.
On September 23, 2004, Brosnan became a naturalized citizen of the United States, but he has retained his Irish citizenship.
Brosnan supported John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential election, and is a vocal supporter of gun control and same-sex marriage.
In 2006, Brosnan was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his work in The Matador.
Brosnan, along with producing partner Beau St. Clair, formed a film production company in 1996, entitled Irish DreamTime.
Breast cancer advocate
Brosnan has been announced as the 2006 spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a breast cancer fundraiser which raises millions of dollars and raises more money in a single day than any other breast cancer fundraiser.
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