James Bond Actor Roger Moore’s Grave Desecrated by Vandals

The grave of late James Bond actor Roger Moore has been vandalized based on a new report that came from a fan who sought out Moore’s headstone in order to pay his respects to the movie star. Moore’s career began in 1945 with a couple of bit parts in the films Perfect Strangers and Caesar and Cleopatra, and from there he would go on to earn acclaim for his portrayal of Simon Templar in the TV show The Saint, which ran from 1962 to 1969. This would lead to him being cast as 007 in 1973’s Live and Let Die, which was only the beginning of his iconic Bond legacy.

As per TMZ, a fan of Roger Moore was visiting the Cimetière de Monaco, a small cemetery in La Colle, Monaco where the late actor’s remains are held. The gravestone was said to feature his family’s coat of arms, making it easily recognizable, but once the fan discovered the site, he was surprised to find that the shield had been taken by some vandals. He told the outlet that he was “equal parts shocked and pissed” that someone would desecrate a grave like that, especially one belonging to such a beloved figure.

The fan proceeded to alert authorities following his discovery that Roger Moore’s grave had been desecrated, but they had no clue that it had even happened. TMZ went so far as to contact the cemetery, but again, they had no idea the vandalism had taken place, meaning it was either a recent occurrence, or Moore’s grave had gone without visitors for some time, allowing the missing shield to go unnoticed.

Roger Moore Left a Lasting Legacy on Film and TV

Born on October 14, 1927 in Stockwell, London, Roger Moore came from humble beginnings as the son of a police officer. His entry into film came after his father investigated a robbery at the home of film director Brain Desmond Hurst, who would go on to meet Moore and cast him as an extra in the 1945 film Caesar and Cleopatra. He’d be cast in more roles as the years progressed, with his good looks even allowing him to do some modeling work in the 1950s to supplement his income.

His big break came by way of the crime drama The Saint in 1962, where he played Simon Templar, a man who helps those who have been abandoned by the legal system by dishing out his own brand of vigilante justice. The role was enough to garner the attention of director Guy Hamilton, who cast Moore as James Bond in Live and Let Die in 1973.

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James Bond: Roger Moore’s Best Moments as 007

Sometimes seen as one of the most underrated Bonds, let’s look at Roger Moore’s best moments as 007.

While it’s hotly debated who the best James Bond actor is, Roger Moore is often cited as a favorite among those who grew up watching him on the big screen. Moore portrayed the character of Bond seven times between the years 1973 and 1985, with his final performance being in John Glen’s A View to Kill. His seven appearances mark the most of any actor in Bond films produced by Eon Productions.