Best Characters in the James Bond Movies (Besides 007)

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As a longtime fan of the James Bond series, I must say that the characters in this cinematic universe are as captivating as the high-stakes missions they embark upon. Among these iconic figures, one that has left an indelible impression on me is Sir Frederick Gray, the UK’s Minister of Defence.

Originating from Ian Fleming in 1953, the character of James Bond has grown far beyond what the British author could have anticipated. Now, there are 39 novels (with 14 penned by Fleming himself), and 25 films produced by Eon Productions that are part of the canon. Given that movies often hold a special place in people’s hearts, some supporting characters, such as Agent 007, have gained more popularity and impact over time.

People tend to admire these characters more due to their well-developed personalities. Additionally, their stories often span across multiple films, which allows audiences to become more acquainted with them over time.

Regardless of whether they’re villains or heroes, the characters below are just as worthy of acclaim as James Bond for contributing significantly to the franchise’s expansion. While some were initially conceived by Fleming for the books, they truly shone in the movies due to exceptional acting performances by their portrayers. Additionally, most of these characters have been skillfully updated to align with contemporary times, making them more relatable and appealing to today’s audience.

10 Miss Moneypenny

Portrayed by:

  • Lois Maxwell (1962 – 1985)
  • Barbara Bouchet (1967)
  • Pamela Salem (1983)
  • Caroline Bliss (1987 – 1989)
  • Samantha Bond (1995 – 2002)
  • Naomie Harris (2012 – Present)

Eve Moneypenny, who eventually adopts the first name Eve, serves as the personal secretary to M – the leader of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Bond is her cherished workmate and a significant portion of her scenes feature playful, flirtatious exchanges between them. In the movie Skyfall, she momentarily works in the field, but after unintentionally wounding Bond, she decides to focus on what she does best.

The Queen of Banter

There’s a certain charm in romances that remain unfulfilled. Will it happen or won’t it? Moneypenny often encourages flirtatious glances and laughter, but she understands Bond’s nature, so she never oversteps boundaries.“Compliments won’t work here,” she once says to Bond, much to the dismay of the ever-charming secret agent. Humor is her most powerful weapon, and through her, viewers get a momentary respite from the continuous action and problem-solving.

9 Q

Portrayed by:

  • Peter Burton (1962)
  • Desmond Llewelyn (1963 – 1999)
  • Geoffrey Bayldon (1967)
  • Alec McCowen (1983)
  • Ben Whishaw (2012 – Present)

In the world of James Bond, Q represents the head of the Research and Development division, also known as Q Branch or Q Division within MI6. This department oversees cutting-edge, top-secret technology used in the field. Just like M, Q is a title, following a tradition where high-ranking officers in the British Secret Service have been signing themselves with initials, such as Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming who was the first director and used ‘C’.

Gadget Master

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the unique character that Q represents in the world of spy films. Unlike your typical techie who merely hacks systems and monitors cameras, Q is a game-changer. He’s the one who brings the outlandish gadgets to the table – from a pen that explodes on command to a car that can be controlled remotely. Just imagine James Bond without his iconic devices! Q has been an integral part of 22 out of the 25 Eon Productions James Bond movies, proving just how indispensable he is to the franchise.

8 General Anatoly Gogol

Portrayed by:

  • Walter Gottell (1977 – 1987)

In the Roger Moore films, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, Moonraker, and Octopussy, General Gogol is portrayed as the chief of the KGB. However, during Timothy Dalton’s A View to a Kill, his character has switched roles and is depicted as a diplomat after Glasnost in the Foreign Service.

Cold War Machinations

In the thick of the Cold War, it was certainly imprudent to disregard the KGB’s influence, given that many Bond films were released during this period. Gogol, on the other hand, is a type of leader that the West would rather engage with. He can be considered more of a Peacemaker, making him usually open to negotiations and collaborations with Bond to prevent conflicts from escalating. Remarkably, even when he’s plotting against the West, Gogol maintains an air of respectability as an adversary.

7 Felix Leiter

Portrayed by:

  • Michael Pate (as “Clarence Leiter”) (1954)
  • Jack Lord (1962)
  • Cec Linder (1964)
  • Rik Van Nutter (1965)
  • Norman Burton (1971)
  • David Hedison (1973 – 1989)
  • Bernie Casey (1983)
  • John Terry (1987)
  • Jeffrey Wright (2006 – 2021)

Despite the over-the-top portrayal of the James Bond series, it does capture some truths about the realm of espionage. Notably, there’s a long-standing alliance between the CIA and MI6, an association that is mirrored in the friendship between James Bond and Felix Leiter. The relaxed CIA agent, who features in 10 Bond films and six Ian Fleming novels, embodies this bond.

Bond’s Most Trusted Ally

In their cinematic camaraderie, Leiter often showcases American intelligence superiority. He’s quick at gathering information ahead of Bond, ensuring they’re always one step ahead. Moreover, he’s adept at providing whatever resources are necessary to see a mission through, as evident when he bail’s Bond out financially during his tight spot in the casino game against Le Chiffre.

6 Jaws

Portrayed by:

  • Richard Kiel (1977 – 1979)

Known as Bond’s most formidable henchman, Jaws is featured in the films “A Spy Who Loved Me” and “Moonraker.” Initially portrayed as an overzealous lackey who uses his steel-capped teeth to bite indiscriminately, he eventually demonstrates some reason and assists Bond. A character exclusive to the movies, Jaws was modeled after Ian Fleming’s depiction of a henchman named Sol “Horror” Horowitz in the novel version of “The Spy Who Loved Me.

The Indestructible Jaws

Great goons ought to have a high level of endurance and Jaws is exactly like that. He survives an Egyptian structure’s collapse on top of him, being knocked by a van, being thrown from a moving train, a car crash where the vehicle veers off a cliff and lands in a house below, a battle with a shark, the destruction of Stromberg’s lair, falling thousands of feet after accidentally disabling his parachute, and, a crash through a building inside a runaway cable car. No matter what kind of beating he takes, he always stands up, dusts off his coat, and walks away.

The influence of Jaws on popular culture is far from being overstated, as evidenced by his comical appearances in more than twenty films and television series, earning him a spot among the most parodied characters ever created.

5 Bill Tanner

Portrayed by:

  • Michael Goodliffe (1974)
  • James Villiers (1981)
  • Michael Kitchen (1995 – 1999)
  • Rory Kinnear (2008 – 2021)

Bill Tanner serves as M’s top assistant in the stories. He doesn’t make many appearances throughout the books, and he was seen just twice during the Connery and Moore periods in the movies. However, since the Pierce Brosnan films, he has become a recurring character. Despite his admiration for the impressive work Bond does for the agency, Tanner is always ready to discipline the daring agent when necessary.

M’s Right Hand

Tanner stands out as an intriguing character due to his uncanny ability to remain unfazed by Bond. Instead, he’s more aligned with MI6 than Bond himself. He dedicates much of his time to ensuring the agent is performing his duties effectively. Frequently, he can be seen engaged in discussions about Bond’s recent exploits with M and isn’t hesitant to confront the agent when signs of rebellion emerge. Despite having limited screen time, Tanner has made a lasting impact on each film thanks to his strong demeanor and meticulous nature.

4 Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Portrayed by:

  • Anthony Dawson (1963 – 1965)
  • Donald Pleasence (1963)
  • Telly Savalas (1969)
  • Charles Gray (1971)
  • John Hollis (1981)
  • Max von Sydow (1983)
  • Christoph Waltz (2015 – 2021)

Ernst Stavro Blofeld serves as the main adversary across the franchise, a fact reinforced by his statement to Bond: “It has always been I, the instigator of all your troubles.” He is the leader of the international criminal group called SPECTRE and is often identified as “Number 1” by its members.

Bond’s Biggest Headache

Blofeld is the archetypal Bond villain, straight with the lair, the witty remarks, and the dreams of global domination. Like Bond, he has also been portrayed by numerous actors — Donald Pleasence, Charles Gray, Telly Savalas, Max von Sydow, and Christoph Waltz, to name a few. And like Jaws, he has had a great impact on pop culture. Many of Blofeld’s mannerisms have become tropes, with the villain being used as the template for most fictional criminal masterminds.

3 M

Portrayed by:

  • Bernard Lee (1962 – 1979)
  • John Huston (1967)
  • David Niven (1967)
  • Edward Fox (1983)
  • Robert Brown (1983 – 1989)
  • Judi Dench (1995 – 2015)
  • Ralph Fiennes (2012 – Present)

In the James Bond series, M is a nickname for the head of the Secret Intelligence Service within MI6. This role has been featured in 24 out of 25 Eon Productions films, with Judi Dench’s portrayal being particularly well-liked. It’s said that Fleming modeled this character on Rear Admiral John Godfrey, his superior at the Naval Intelligence Division during World War II.

A Perfect Example of a Good Boss

M is the sort of supervisor that everyone would aspire to have. In fact, Bond often operates with complete freedom in his undercover work, and even when he makes mistakes, he’s only ever given a friendly pat on the back for correction. Occasionally there might be some reprimanding, but that’s as far as it goes. Over time, M has demonstrated that a manager doesn’t have to be harsh to bring out the best in their team.

2 Sir Frederick Gray

Portrayed by:

  • Geoffrey Keen (1977 – 1987)

Sir Frederick Gray, portrayed by Geoffrey Keen, is a key figure who holds the position of Defense Minister in the films “The Spy Who Loved Me,” “Moonraker,” “For Your Eyes Only,” “Octopussy,” “A View to a Kill,” and “The Living Daylights.” His character has been absent from the scene since the early ’90s, indicating that he was primarily relevant in narratives centered around the Cold War.

A Major Player in Britain’s Line of Defense

Gray’s presence adds a touch of authenticity to the franchise, underscoring that Bond isn’t the sole defender of Britain. Just like in reality, numerous individuals step up when there’s a significant danger. Moreover, it’s delightful to witness their camaraderie, as he frequently addresses him as “Freddie,” even though he holds a superior rank.

1 Mr. White

Portrayed by:

  • Jesper Christensen (2006 – 2021)

In the movie “Casino Royale”, Mr. White initially emerges as a prominent figure in the clandestine group called Quantum and holds a significant position within SPECTRE. Additionally, he is the father of Dr. Madeleine Swann, whom James Bond develops romantic feelings for. Later on, he has a falling out with Blofeld and ultimately takes his own life.

The Perfect “Shadow Organization” Figure

In the world of Bond, I’m often likened to a kite dancing on the wind, but behind the scenes, I’m far more than that. I’m adept at orchestrating significant happenings from the shadows and I won’t hesitate to take whatever actions necessary to reach my objective. Across three films (and even mentioned in one more), I make a lasting impact as the secondary adversary in the rebooted series.

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2024-12-01 07:02