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Discover 007: Top 10 Astonishing Fun Facts About James Bond Every Fan Must Know!

illustration of james-bond
Dive into the thrilling world of espionage as we reveal some hidden gems and tantalizing tidbits about everyone's favorite British secret agent – 007 himself, James Bond!

1. Literary 00-Lit-Agent

Who would have thought that Bond...James Bond, was also a master in the art of selling books – a sort of literary 00-lit-agent, if you will: The James Bond books, penned by the talented Ian Fleming, have sold over 100 million copies worldwide, making the British author an indomitable force in publishing and ranking him 14th on The Times' list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945" as well as spreading his dapper and dashing spy across generations of film lovers.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Gold-Plated Typewriter

When life gives you lemons, make a gold-plated typewriter: Ian Fleming celebrated finishing the first draft of Casino Royale by purchasing a Royal Quiet Deluxe portable typewriter, gold-plated no less, in 1952 for $174. This glitzy gadget boasts the title of Most Valuable Typewriter, auctioned off in 1995 for £56,250, and was used by Fleming to complete his manuscript at his Jamaican abode, Goldeneye, during his annual literary retreats spanning January to March.
Source => literary007.com

3. WWII Monopoly Gadgets

When Monopoly meets MI9, you can expect more than just a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card: During World War II, a top secret department called MI9 designed and supplied numerous small gadgets, including hidden compasses in jacket buttons with reverse screw threads and steel-cutting wire saws hidden in shoelaces, which could be concealed inside board games, dominoes, and chess sets, aiding over half of the 35,000 British and Allied troops who escaped to safety.
Source => dailymail.co.uk

4. Best Supporting Car

In the Bond-ing business of sleek cars and explosive gadgets, there's a long-term relationship between 007 and a certain British automobile: James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 could win an Oscar for "Best Supporting Car" with its numerous on-screen appearances! The serious reveal: This iconic car first stole the spotlight in the 1964 film Goldfinger, and went on to feature in several other Bond films, such as Thunderball, GoldenEye, Skyfall, and Spectre. Aston Martin even released a limited run of 25 Goldfinger-themed cars in 2020, complete with functional spy gadgets, in tribute to this enduring cinematic love affair.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Roger Moore: The Saint

5. Roger Moore: The Saint

Before he was stirring martinis and raising eyebrows as the debonair James Bond, Roger Moore was charming the socks off his enemies while solving mysteries as another dapper hero: Direct from 1967's Technicolor fame, Moore played Simon Templar in "The Saint" for six eyebrow-raising seasons and 118 episodes and even directed nine of them, perfecting his flawless suave demeanor for his future iconic role as 007.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Dr. Evil & Blofeld Connection

What do cat-stroking, bald villains and Mike Myers have in common? Well, besides making excellent Halloween costumes, they also share the same fanbase on Planet Nemesis: The hilarious prelude of Dr. Evil, that iconic nemesis of Austin Powers, was indeed conceived by swimming in the same sinister inkwell as Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the Bond villain who'll turn your martini shaken with fear: The serious reveal: Mike Myers confirmed that Blofeld's portrayal in the Bond movies heavily influenced his creation of Dr. Evil, adding that comedic twist to the larger-than-life baddies we all love to hate.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Bond's International Flair

From the land of shamrocks to the home turf of kangaroos, Bond's passport has seen it all, but they do say, "variety is the spice of life": Only six actors have officially played James Bond, with Pierce Brosnan from Ireland and George Lazenby from Australia adding an international flair to the otherwise English-heavy roster - Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig. The role has been offered to some American stars too, but they never quite made it to Her Majesty's secret service.
Source => denofgeek.com

8. Sean Connery's Toupee

When it comes to undercover operations, James Bond has always been a "hair" above the rest – quite literally: Sean Connery, the first actor to portray 007 in the movies, was actually bald and had to wear a perfectly designed toupee to embody the dashing and suave look of the iconic spy.
Source => groovyhistory.com

9. Brosnan: Painter & Environmentalist

Who would've thought that 007 moonlights as Picasso and Captain Planet? Shaken, not stirred: Pierce Brosnan, famed for his role as James Bond, is also a talented painter and dedicated environmentalist, using his artistic skills and proceeds to support various charities and environmental campaigns alongside his equally committed wife.
Source => betterworld.net

Daniel Craig's Stunt Work

10. Daniel Craig's Stunt Work

Shaken, not stirred, and occasionally flung off a train: Daniel Craig not only charmed audiences with his tailored suits and piercing blue eyes but also by performing many of his own stunts during his tenure as James Bond, from Casino Royale in 2006 to No Time to Die in 2021.
Source => hellomagazine.com

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